Question
Hello and thanks for the wonderful site on tips and answering questions.  I want to start a new lawn, i have 1000 sq ft of empty space, the soil is hard and there are no weeds or anything whatsoever, just plain soil.  Here is what i am thinking of doing:

Till the soil to 6-8inches with a tiller that i will rent, then apply lime or sulfur based on my soil ph test, then till it again to have it mixed in with the lime/sulfur. then apply seed based on grass, then put topsoil on of grass to protect from birds, is there anything that im missing? (also , how do i scare birds from eating the seeds)?

Answer
Hi Alex, your plan is good...except for the top soil thing.  Apply the top soil before the second tilling and incorporate it into the existing soil.  Sow your seed on the surface and do not cover.  Grass seed does not need to be covered.  You may lose some of the seed to birds, but an insignificant amount.  Most of the birds you see feeding on newly seeded areas are eating the insects and worms flushed to the surface by watering.  
Liquid bird repellents sprayed over the area will help some, but repeated watering dilutes them quickly.  The best repellent is probably a fake owl.  I use an electric motion activated owl to keep birds and squirrels away from my tomatoes.  It works well.  Jim