Fall

Food & Seed

• Double your black oil sunflower supply in SeptemberFall is the highest-traffic feeder season. Migrating birds stop to fuel up and resident birds begin hoarding — feeders that lasted a week in summer may empty in two days. Buy extra seed now.
• Add safflower for resident cardinals and chickadeesSafflower is calorie-dense and largely ignored by squirrels and House Sparrows. It's ideal as resident birds build the fat stores they'll need to survive winter.
• Put out peanuts and suet for migrating birdsHigh-fat foods provide fast energy for birds fueling up for long flights. September and October are peak migration months — a peanut feeder or suet cage can attract species that don't normally visit.
• Keep mealworms available through SeptemberFall warblers and thrushes are high-protein feeders fueling for migration. Mealworms on a platform feeder can attract species that seed feeders never will.
• Restock Nyjer for winter goldfinchesSome goldfinches stay all winter, and migratory individuals may join them — total numbers at thistle feeders can actually increase from October onward. Keep a fresh thistle feeder active.

Feeders & Cleaning

• Deep-clean all feeders before winterFall is the easiest time for a thorough cleaning before cold makes it unpleasant. A clean feeder heading into winter protects birds at their most vulnerable — don't skip this one.
• Add a hopper or platform feeder for the fall surgeFall migrants and new winter residents often prefer different feeder styles than your summer regulars. A hopper feeder handles high volume well and works for a wide range of species.
• Move feeders within 10 feet of dense coverShrubs and conifers let birds escape quickly when startled. Feeders close to cover are also more visible to passing migrants, who look for safe-looking spots to land and refuel.
• Install a squirrel baffle if you don't have oneSquirrel pressure intensifies in fall as natural food runs low. A pole-mounted baffle is the most effective long-term solution and is much easier to install before frozen ground arrives.
• Replace worn feeder parts before cold arrivesCracked ports, rusted hooks, and broken perches are easy to fix now and nearly impossible in winter. Frozen plastic is brittle and breaks under pressure.

Water

• Keep the birdbath running through fallMany fall migrants seek out water before food. A clean, accessible bath attracts birds that wouldn't stop for seed feeders — often including species you've never seen in your yard before.
• Remove fallen leaves from the bath dailyDecomposing leaves quickly contaminate water and make the bath uninviting. A quick skim takes seconds and keeps the water clean.
• Prepare a heated bath or birdbath heater before the first freezeLiquid water in freezing temperatures is the scarcest resource birds face in winter. Have a heater ready before you need it — scrambling to find one after the first hard freeze is frustrating and leaves birds without water.
• Inspect the bath for cracks before cold arrivesHairline cracks in ceramic or concrete baths will shatter when water inside freezes and expands. Inspect now and replace any cracked bath before winter rather than dealing with a broken one in February.

Birds to Watch

Fall migration peaks in September and October. Watch for unfamiliar species that may appear for just a day as they pass through — fall migration often produces the most unexpected visitors of the year. Dark-eyed Juncos arriving is a reliable signal that winter is close.

• Watch for Dark-eyed Juncos arriving in OctoberJuncos come south from northern breeding grounds in October and stay all winter. Their white outer tail feathers flash in flight. They prefer white millet scattered on the ground under feeders.
• Watch for White-breasted Nuthatch becoming more feeder-activeA year-round resident that visits feeders more consistently in fall. Often seen carrying sunflower seeds one at a time and wedging them into tree bark to cache for winter.
• Watch for American Robin flocks switching to berriesMany robins stay later than expected, shifting from earthworms to fruiting shrubs. Large flocks of 20+ birds can descend on berry bushes near feeders seemingly overnight.