The Backyard Naturalist’s five simple tips for backyard birders during Fall Migration:
- Keep Hummingbird feeders up for two weeks after your last sighting. This will not keep your hummers from migrating – promise! Any visitors now need to bulk up!
- Fall Migration is on. Keep your bird baths clean with fresh water to lure in beautiful Fall migrants. If you don't have one, add one!!! Migrants are mostly non-seed eaters and water is a necessity that will make your backyard a more inviting resting place.
- Clean out your bird houses once final broods have flown. Get them ready for winter roosting during bad weather. Chickadees, Carolina Wrens and Bluebirds will be particularly grateful!
- Check the freshness of your bird seed! If you don’t feed during the summer and if your seed supply is left over from last winter, it’s time to refresh.
- It's time to clean your bird feeders. Soaking in hot soapy water and a good rinse will do the trick. Restock with fresh seed.
Even though it's sad to see the Hummingbirds and Catbirds go, it won't be long until we see Juncos and White-throated Sparrows.
Remember, Fall Migration is one of the best birding times of the year. Keep your field guides and binoculars handy for unusual sightings, because you never know who's going to show up!