Designate the Bird Alcove Area

• 1). Look in your yard or garden and determine the ideal place for the bird alcove. Place the alcove in a non high-traffic area for people or pets.
  
  
• 2). Plan how much space you want the alcove to occupy. Often, the bigger the alcove, the more variety and quantity of birds it will attract. However, a smaller alcove will be easier to maintain.
  
  
• 3). Look at the bird alcove area from your kitchen window or patio. Do you want to move the alcove closer or farther away once you look at it from different angles? Once you have decided then the work can begin.
  
  

Provide Shelter, Food and Water

• 1). Add trees to the bird alcove area if they are not already a part of your landscape. Trees provide nesting areas, protection from predators, and shelter in inclement weather. If you are planting a tree, be sure to provide space for it to grow into maturity. Add flowering plants, shrubs, and vines to the bird alcove to attract a variety of birds. NC State University's Horticultural Science website provides a long list of vegetation that attracts song birds, as well as a separate list that attracts hummingbirds.
  
  
• 2). Put one or more bird baths in the alcove. Birds use them to drink, bathe and cool off in hot weather. Change the water few times a week and clean the bird bath will a bristled brush to prevent algae build-up. During especially hot and dry weather, maintain water in the bird bath. If ice forms during the winter, melt the ice with water from a running hose and refill. There are also heated bird baths available to keep the water from freezing.
  
  
• 3). Hang bird feeders from tree, posts or shepard hooks, with the appropriate food for the type of birds you want to attract. The Wild Bird Watching website provides a list of different types of bird feed, types of birds that eat certain food, and types of feeders.
  
  

Final Lanscaping (Optional)

• 1). Define the borders of the bird alcove with landscape edging. There are many varieties of edging -- in metal, brick and plastic materials -- available at hardware and retail stores.
  
  
• 2). Add stepping stones through the bird alcove to provdie a pathway in and out of the bird alcove. This will allow you to enjoy the plants and trees as well.
  
  
• 3). Provide seating in the bird alcove such as a pretty bench or small table and chairs. This will be a quiet place for you to sit quietly and enjoy the birds that come to the alcove.