Fall is on the way and that means a number of things. Yeah, I know; football and ragweed. But around this time of year, something clicks in the heads of millions of birds. We're not exactly sure, but we think they notice the length of the days changing. Whatever it is, they decide it is time to move. And by move, I mean thousands of miles in some cases.
It is the seasonal migration, and people who feed birds in their yards may notice a few things. Birds get more active and aggressive around feeders. Some change colors; the most noticeable is the American Goldfinch, who loses those bright yellow feathers for something more drab. Then the birds come and go. Depending on where you live, you may see a number of species you haven't seen all summer. Other species will be with you year round. For instance, we here in North Carolina have the Northern Cardinal all year. Hey, it's the state bird; it belongs! But the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds leave. (I'll see the last of them between mid and late September. Farther north, you'll notice their absence earlier.) The martins, swifts and many of the swallows head out too. And the Dark-eyed Juncos show up. A few different species stop at my feeders on their way south.
With all of this flying, birds need nourishment, and our feeding stations become something like diners on the interstate. So there are a couple of things we should all do.
First, make sure there's plenty to eat - the birds are either prepping for a long trip, or they have just made one. They're tired and hungry. This applies especially to hummingbirds, who spend their winters in Central and South America. Mourning doves start looking for a feeding sanctuary. On Sept. 1, dove hunting season begins in much of the nation. You might put out a seed mix that includes millet and cracked corn. It offers doves an option to a cornfield that features flying birdshot.
Also make sure feeders and baths are kept clean. Birds are coming in from everywhere, and God knows what diseases they're bringing with them. One of the causes of the spread of disease is the common feeding area. I use water with a tiny bit of bleach to clean up (see my April 12 post).
Then just pay attention to what shows up. For the next three months, you may be surprised at the species that come to your feeders. I'll let you know what newbies I see as they come in.
Northern Mockingbird
House Finch
Mourning Dove
American Goldfinch
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Brown-headed Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
It is the seasonal migration, and people who feed birds in their yards may notice a few things. Birds get more active and aggressive around feeders. Some change colors; the most noticeable is the American Goldfinch, who loses those bright yellow feathers for something more drab. Then the birds come and go. Depending on where you live, you may see a number of species you haven't seen all summer. Other species will be with you year round. For instance, we here in North Carolina have the Northern Cardinal all year. Hey, it's the state bird; it belongs! But the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds leave. (I'll see the last of them between mid and late September. Farther north, you'll notice their absence earlier.) The martins, swifts and many of the swallows head out too. And the Dark-eyed Juncos show up. A few different species stop at my feeders on their way south.
With all of this flying, birds need nourishment, and our feeding stations become something like diners on the interstate. So there are a couple of things we should all do.
First, make sure there's plenty to eat - the birds are either prepping for a long trip, or they have just made one. They're tired and hungry. This applies especially to hummingbirds, who spend their winters in Central and South America. Mourning doves start looking for a feeding sanctuary. On Sept. 1, dove hunting season begins in much of the nation. You might put out a seed mix that includes millet and cracked corn. It offers doves an option to a cornfield that features flying birdshot.
Also make sure feeders and baths are kept clean. Birds are coming in from everywhere, and God knows what diseases they're bringing with them. One of the causes of the spread of disease is the common feeding area. I use water with a tiny bit of bleach to clean up (see my April 12 post).
Then just pay attention to what shows up. For the next three months, you may be surprised at the species that come to your feeders. I'll let you know what newbies I see as they come in.
Meanwhile, here's what I saw today.
(PM, sunny, 82 degrees, 20 minutes)Northern Mockingbird
House Finch
Mourning Dove
American Goldfinch
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Brown-headed Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
