Help the Birds During Migration
Several people have reported sightings of larger than usual flocks of different kinds of warblers. Greater numbers of Grosbeaks and a few Orioles, among others, are still migrating through our area. A few of our wintering sparrows and juncos have started to show up.
Hummingbird migration is still in full swing. Hummingbirds have been coming to feeders in greater numbers than normal this year. There may be a lull for a few days and then another wave of migrating hummingbirds will visit feeders. Keep your feeders up and full with a nectar solution of 4 parts water to one part table sugar, no dyes such as red food coloring. Change the nectar every 2-3 days to help prevent spoilage.
The recent migratory bird die-off, due to unknown reasons at this time, may involve several causes such as early migration and altered migration routes due to the fires in the west and/or the recent change in weather in some parts of the west and/or high winds. While scientists are trying to find out the cause, here are some things you can do to help migrating birds and your usual residents in your backyard.
Provide a moving water source.
Migrant birds may not know where to find water. A moving water source is a magnet for birds. If a bird is passing through and they see or hear moving water, they will almost always check it out. They need open water sources for drinking and keeping their feathers maintained for flight and proper insulation as the nights get colder. If you can't have a moving water source, having a birdbath or dish of water is very helpful.
Provide high energy food.
Many of the migrating birds that are having the most problems are insect eaters, providing mealworms, live or dried, and suet doughs like suet cylinders, Bark Butter Bits and Bark Butter will give them a much needed boost. One way to offer Bark Butter that's easy and may attract more of the migrant birds that aren't familiar with your yard, is to put Bark Butter in between the scales of pine cones and hang them in bushes or trees in your yard. Many insect eating birds will explore pine cones for insects and discover the Bark Butter.
Make sure you have high-quality fresh food and high-energy, high-fat foods. Wild Birds Unlimited seed blends have these qualities. Offering food that contains some millet that will fall to the ground will help early migrating sparrows and juncos.
Attract birds with natural landscapes.
Overall, a varied, dynamic landscape that is not completely manicured will help attract birds during the fall. Take a look at your landscape, try to leave some natural roughage. If possible, leave weed-seed plants. Many birds, like finches, sparrows and juncos, love to work on them. Put out a few brush piles. It gives birds a place to hide from weather and predators. It also gives them a place to loaf and socialize before and after eating at your feeders. Ground-feeding environments attract birds that avoid elevated food sources. Song sparrows like to feed this way and are just about everywhere in North America. You also want millet-type blends. These are wonderful when offered in feeders that are near the ground or in an elevated feeder that allows some millet to be dropped to the ground.
Help scientists gather data.
Report dead birds to the Southwest Avian Mortality Project found on the iNaturalist app. If you can take a photo, post it there and/or write text descriptions of what you observe.
Stop by the store and we’ll show you the foods, feeders and other products to help migrating birds.