Bird watching is an uncomplicated, diverting, and relaxing activity. Any urban garden, with a little work on the environment, can turn into a nesting ground for birds. If you want to provide a comfortable little oasis where birds will come to feed, pass through, and eventually stay. Here are a few things you can do to encourage them so you'll soon be bird watching in your own garden:

First of all, having a proper garden, not just a yard is a big help. Birds and butterflies will be drawn towards a natural setting. An excess of steel and concrete strikes most animals and birds as unfriendly surroundings because of the lack of food, water and protection from the elements and predators. If you don't have the room for trees, at least thick bushes and/or ferns, will make birds feel much safer and at home.

Now you have your greenery, your next step is to make sure that birds will come to your garden. Animal needs are simple - food, water, and somewhere safe to sleep. Dealing with the first two requirements is vital; birds will not consider building a nest somewhere where these are hard to find so be sure to put feeding stations in your garden. These don't need to be complicated - something as simple as a row of plastic cups filled with birdseed will do. If you want to keep the setting as natural looking as possible, you can choose to use wooden bowls or you can carve channels and in a tree.

You could also grow plants in your garden that naturally produce seeds and berries, which will supplement the feeders. Check out growing an assortment of plants which will supply food for the birds regardless of the season, or grow groups of plants that bloom at different times of year so that your feathered guests have food all year round.

Water is the next thing to be considered. You don't have to have a pricey birdbath or fountain as shallow pools of water will suffice. Try dishes or trays or plant pot saucers, if you want to keep things simple. Remember to place perches so the birds can use them as they drink or, if you want to follow a natural looking theme, dig a small pool in the center of your garden. Make it shallow, no more than 1 to 2 feet deep. If the pool is fairly wide, add small rock outcroppings in the center of the pool where birds can land.

Lastly, birds that become comfortable with your territory will build nests there. Shelter for birds in the wild is provided by deep, dense foliage; so if you have trees or thick bushes, these will be ideal and the thicker the foliage the better. These will attract birds the most, as they will liken the cover to their natural habitat which hides and protects their young from predators. If you don't have trees or bushes or they are still too small for birds to nest in, either build or buy nesting boxes and hang them on your fence posts or somewhere well off the ground and preferably out of reach of predators such as squirrells.

Bird watching in your own garden can be such fun and all you need to do is provide the right environment for the birds.