Preparing for Fall Birding
Winter is the most important time to feed your backyard birds. The time to prepare for your season of birding is in the fall, when autumn leaves are swirling.
* Buy Bulk Seed
It's always cheaper to buy in bulk, and if you buy off-season you can get some great deals. Look around for bargains and find a tight container to store the seed in. You don't want mice eating half of your stores.
* Clean Out Birdhouses
If you're sure that all of the baby birds have flown, do a birdhouse cleaning to get the extra stuff out of those birdhouses. If they're clean, they might serve as a welcome rest spot for birds when winter hits.
* Scrub down Birdbaths
Get all the leaf and mold out of your birdbaths. Get your hands on a de-icer or other ice-melting system. That way when things get frosty later on, you'll be ready.
* Get a New Feeder or House
I like to get one new feeder or house each year - either replacing an old one that is past its prime or adding a new feature to the yard. Different types of feeders attract different types of birds.
* Plant Fall Bulbs
Now's the time to plant those flowers that will bloom in the spring. Look through your gardening books to find flowers that will bloom in your climate, and that birds enjoy. Give your feathered friends something to look forward to!
* Arrange a Spotting Location
While the ground is soft, you can move around your feeders and homes so they're easily spotted from inside your home. Figure out a way to get a chair and table near that window. That way you can sit inside, snuggly warm with your hot cocoa, watching your "wild pets" enjoy their treat.
Enjoy!
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