Buh Bye Bugs, Hello Feathered Friends

Garden Bugs have made way for Winter Birdwatching

It's time to say goodbye to the critters, pests, bugs and slugs that enjoyed our gardens this summer. Goodbye also to the red-backed salamanders and stink bugs (thankfully not many in number this year) of early autumn. With this October's shock of three tiny, early snowfalls, I'm gearing up and getting ready to welcome our two-legged feathered visitors.

While birds of various species are in the area year round (like the Downy Woodpecker, Mourning Doves, and American Goldfinch), as the seasons change, many of our birds of summer head south for warmth. Keep your feeders stocked now to give a much-needed boost to any migrating stragglers on their long trek.

Fill your feeders now for the early scouts...
Soon, though, other birds will arrive from further north scouting out backyards for the best offerings. Winter birds like Black-Capped Chickadees, colorful Cardinals even Evening Grosbeak and Cedar Waxwing will soon be arriving. Even local birds who normally eat insects, like Nuthatches, will need to supplement their diet. High on all of their priority lists are food, shelter and water.

Food
Setting up your backyard feeders now may take the edge off winter stress for wild birds. They will continue to forage in the natural habitat through winter. Studies show that most wild birds will die in their first year of life. But if they can survive this first year then they stand a strong chance of living for some considerable time.

To attract a broad variety of birds, provide a nice selection of feed in different types of feeders in diverse locations. Seeds, suet, nuts, and fruit are the basic foods for wintering birds. Avoid seed mixes since the birds waste much of the seed while hunting for their favorites.

• White proso millet and black oil sunflower seeds appeal to a majority of birds (quail, juncos, etc.).
• Niger, or thistle seed will please goldfinches and pine siskins.
• Suet, or hard fat are preferred by insect-eating birds (woodpeckers, nuthatches, etc.).
• Cracked nuts are attractive to many birds, but peanut-butter is a less expensive offering.
• Fresh or dried fruit (apples, berries, grapes and other fruit) are favored by robins and waxwings.

Give me shelter
Trees and brush nearby are important in feeder placement; birds use them to cautiously approach feeders and as escape cover from predators, but they shouldn't be so close or dense to provide ambush cover for predators like cats.

Bird feeders need regular cleaning to maintain sanitary conditions. Left alone, you may be feeding your feathered friends fungi and bacteria, that may potentially harm visiting birds.

Clean Your Feeders, whether New or Used:

• Sanitize your empty feeder by soaking it in a large container filled with Audubon's recommended solution of one part bleach or vinegar to nine parts water for 30 minutes to a full hour.
• Cautiously (with gloves and protective eyewear) scrub it down, then rinse thoroughly.
• Let it air dry in a sunny spot before adding fresh seed.
• Repeat monthly to keep your birds healthy and avoid fungus and bacteria that are easily spread by the communal feeding habits of birds.

Squirrel troubles?
This is a great time of year to collect acorns and other wild nuts. When snow is blanketing the ground, offer squirrels their own food. Perhaps, just perhaps, they may leave your bird feeders alone.

Did you know...

• An American robin can live up to 12 years.
• Some blackbird species live for 15-plus years.
• Blue jays can live for more than 18 years.
• Both the great blue heron and the Canada goose can live for more than 23 years.

Quench their Thirst.
Do your bird friends a favor by supplying open water for drinking and bathing. You will enjoy their antics as they bathe to clean their insulating feathers.

With a little preparation now, you'll be soon be enjoying a yard filled with feathered friends.