Turn These Old Garden Tools Into Features Birds Will Love

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Do you enjoy feeling relaxed, sociable, attentive, and happy? Of course you do! Well, a great way to invite those feelings into your life more regularly is by learning how to attract a variety of birds to your yard. These sweet, feathered friends have been shown to improve a person's mood, boost mental health, and provide opportunities for getting out into nature and feeling a part of something bigger. And one classic, tried-and-true way of making your property more enticing to birds is by installing features such as a feeder or birdbath. This doesn't have to mean running down to the garden center, however. You can actually make your own unique bird-friendly objects out of items you likely already have around the garden.

Whether your shed is full of leftover shovels or there's a pile of old rakes sitting in your garage, it is likely that you have at least one or two of the pieces that can be used to create your own repurposed bird feature. Crafting your own is a good idea not only because it will make your property more desirable for your local avian friends, but also because it is a more environmentally friendly option than purchasing a store-bought option. 

A common fixture of many people's gardens is an old wheelbarrow which isn't used anymore because the handles are splintered or the wheels don't roll like they used to. If this is the case for you, don't throw it out just yet! Moving water can be super effective for attracting birds into your garden, so you may just want to repurpose that aging wheelbarrow into a fun birdbath for your feathered friends. Simply remove any rust, fill with clean water, and install a Honche solar fountain pump to make your yard more attractive to local birds.

If you like the idea of having a water feature but don't have a wheelbarrow, you can make a birdbath using a watering can. Fill a large dish or serving platter with water, and place a fountain pump into it. Then, fix the watering can to the top of a pole above the dish, and loop the tube of the pump into the can. This should allow the water to circulate up into it and pour out of the head for a dynamic bird fountain.

Another gardening tool that often gets abandoned when not in use is the shovel. However, even if the handle is broken, you can still reuse it as a bird feeder to make your yard more enjoyable for birds. Just wedge the shovel head into a V where the tree splits into two branches so that it is level with ground. You can test it with a brick or sandbag to ensure that the shovel is able to support the birds' weight. Keep it topped up with seeds to delight local birds.

Believe it or not, oranges can be handy for attracting different birds to your yard, such as red-bellied woodpeckers, northern mockingbirds, and orioles. Fruit can be messy and difficult to clean up, though, so one clever way to present tasty citrus to your local birds is by repurposing a rake. To turn an old rake into a bird feeder, remove the head and hang it upside-down — about 5 feet off the ground to discourage squirrels from stealing the fruit — using some string or a nail. Then, press orange halves onto the spikes and wait for visitors.

What if the birds in your area prefer insects to fruits and seeds? Choosing the right food for local wildlife is key to keeping them healthy and happy. Large garden tubs and bins can be transformed into bug hotels by filling them with compost. Worms, flies, slugs, ants, spiders, and even centipedes will likely be attracted to the decomposing matter, thus creating a great spot for insect-eating birds to stop by for a snack.

Baskets are great tools for transporting fruit, vegetables, and cuttings around the garden. That's not all they're good for, though. You can use a garden basket to create a hanging bird feeder. First make sure that the basket is clean, then fill it with seeds. Some pieces may fall through, but birds will be able to grab any spare seeds off the ground below. In addition, if the basket starts to fall apart over time, birds can use the spare straw or wicker for much-needed nest-building material.

If your watering can has a loose or broken spout, you may want to repurpose it into a sweet birdhouse. Remove the spout, leaving an empty hole in the side of the can, and sand down any sharp edges to avoid injuring the birds who may enter. To keep rain and sun off and make the house more attractive, try using other spare materials such as scrap wood to create a roof for the can.

Have you recently replaced your gardening boots? Don't throw the old ones out just yet. Secure the bottom of each boot to a wooden board. Size another board to fit and adhere to the opening of each boot; cut a small hole to make a cozy entrance for the birds and add a perch. Then, simply mount the boots with screws to a tree trunk. You may also want to use these eight stunning colors on your birdhouse to attract more flying friends to your property and give them a beautiful place to nest.