In Your Own Backyard (NAPSA)—There are lots of ways to make your yard a welcoming haven for local wildlife while bringing you closer to nature at the same time. Welcome birds to your yard with feeders and native plants. For starters, set up a bird feeder. The best foods include sunflower, niger (also called thistle) proso millet, cracked corn and suet. Here are some hints from the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Backyard Wildlife Habitat™ program whichis celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Over the years NWF has educated millions of people about the joys of gardeningfor wildlife. * Provide multiple feeding stations in different areas of your yard to disperse bird activity. Crowding at the feeder can cause stress, which may make birds more vulnerable to disease. * Keep seed clean and dry and watch that it doesn’t get moldy. Offer only fresh seed. * Use a seed blend that is designed for the feeder you have and the type of birds that come to that feeder. Blends that contain filler seeds or grains are not typically eaten by birds and end up on the ground making a mess. * Provide seeds from a feeder rather than scattering them on the ground. * Supplement your bird feeders by planting a wide variety of native plants. Learn more about creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat and how to haveit officially certified by the National Wildlife Federation at www. nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat, or bycalling (585) 461-3092.
