The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds: Creating Natural Habitats for Properties Large and Small

In a book long awaited by landscapers, birders, gardeners, and naturalists, Stephen W. Kress provides a practical, comprehensive, and thoroughly illustrated guide to attracting birds to any property, be it a small patch of land in the city or a showplace countryside garden, a median strip or an expansive woodlot, a commercial building or a community park. In Kress's view, the best way to attract birds is to enrich habitats by improving vegetation, natural foods, water supplies, and nest sites.

Drawing on decades of experience, Kress offers a remarkable variety of techniques and resources for habitat improvement. In this book, he

* addresses the special needs of managers of large properties, giving them a toolbox of strategies for habitat restoration;

* organizes his suggestions by habitat type, such as forest, grasslands, and shrublands;

* offers advice for selecting native plants by region;

* details the importance of wetland conservation;

* discusses the safe use of pesticides and fertilizers;

* provides useful information on nesting structures and feeding stations; and

* lists plant vendors and print and online resources for further study.

Throughout, Kress emphasizes responsible environmental stewardship. The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds will help readers reach their goal of designing their own landscapes for the benefit of wild birds.