It’s officially fall, which means it’s time to stock up on high-energy food for our local and migrating bird populations! Feeding birds during this time frame provides critical nutrition as natural insects and summer food sources begin to fade. This will help migrating birds do so successfully, and resident birds get through the harsh winter months!
Key Benefits
Fueling Migration: Migrating birds need extra calories and high-fat foods to sustain long, energy-draining flights to their wintering grounds.
Building Fat Reserves: Resident birds experience hyperphagia (an increased appetite) to double their weight or store fat reserves needed to survive freezing winter nights.
Establishing Winter Routines: Providing a steady food source helps local birds map out reliable feeding locations before harsh winter weather arrives.
Boosting Flock Diversity: Autumn feeding attracts passing migrants and early winter species to your yard, increasing local bird variety.
Best Practices
Upgrade the Menu: Switch to high-fat, high-calorie foods like black-oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet.
Provide Fresh Water: Keep a clean bird bath or water feature active to attract both migrants and residents.
Maintain Cleanliness: Clean your feeders every two weeks and clear away discarded seed hulls to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria.
Keep Feeders Up: Leave feeders filled for at least two to three weeks after regular visitors seem to leave, supporting late stragglers without delaying natural migration cues.
So be sure to refresh your feeders, birdbaths, and put out the high-energy seed – you’ll be helping our local avian populations and enjoying some amazing fall birdwatching as well!
Check out the link below for can’t miss birding deals all season long!
