Words On Birds 07-19-24

 

     The hot and humid weather that we experienced during late June, and thus far in July, has mosquitoes and no-see-ums swarming, and the greenheads are already here in force. While bothersome to us, the insects are welcome food for many birds including bluebirds, tree swallows and purple martins. Bluebirds are on their second or third broods now. The swallows and martins are finishing up their nesting and the insects should help the fledgling birds that will need to add much fat before their southward migration.

 

     Many of our songbirds are also dependent upon flying insects and they welcome insects to help feed their offspring. Orioles, chickadees, nuthatches and woodpeckers feed on insects during the summer. Even the tiny hummingbirds feed gnats and mosquitoes to their young.

 

     I’ve been told by more than one customer that someone had told them that they shouldn’t feed birds during the summer. There is no reason not to. Birds are just supplementing their natural food during the summer months and they don’t become dependent on just your feeders. Neither will their offspring. It is a source of food that they will take advantage of when it is there. But birds are opportunistic and will turn to insects and others natural food as it is available. You’ll see birds in the summer, supplementing their diet at feeders, that we don’t see during the winter months – rose-breasted grosbeaks, tanagers, orioles, hummingbirds and more. Some of our year ‘round birds, such as male goldfinches, are much more brightly colored during the summer months.

 

     Those that continue to feed birds have enjoyed the numbers of birds that have been visiting and, now, the fledglings are visiting with their parents. Young orioles, rose-breasted grosbeaks, house finches, downy and red-bellied woodpeckers, cardinals, chickadees and titmice have all been enjoyed by customers who have been feeding them into the warmer weather. Many customers are watching young bluebirds, orioles and Carolina wrens enjoy the mealworms that they are still offering in their feeders.

 

     June and July brought many more birds to the feeders to supplement the insects. We had up to a half dozen orioles and a pair of catbirds coming to our jelly feeder. We were going through jars of jelly a week. We have noticed in the past couple of weeks, as insects have become more plentiful, and young birds grow, there were fewer visits to the jelly. Other customers have reported that too, while other have told us that they are still serving jelly to a half dozen orioles. 

 

     We choose to put out jelly for the migrating orioles and other birds that will be moving through our area in August and September. Our hummingbirds are still visiting, but we keep our feeders up after they leave to help the migrating hummers that will be moving through from up north.  The nectar we offer helps fuel their long journey to Central and South America.

 

     If the birds have suddenly turned away from your feeders completely, it may be time to give the feeder a good cleaning. Warmer weather allows mold and mildew to build up in the bottom of the feeder. One customer admitted that some of their seed had sprouted in their feeder – definitely not a good sign! Moldy feeders spread disease and birds will stay away. 

 

     Now is a good time to check and clean all of your feeders by taking them apart, washing them thoroughly with soap and water (and 10% bleach, if they are particularly moldy.) Then rinse, dry them thoroughly, and fill them with fresh seed. You’ll be surprised how quickly the birds return to enjoy a clean meal.

 

     Also, don’t forget to continue to offer clean, fresh water to the birds this summer. Clean water will attract many more birds to your yard. Many birds don’t eat seed or visit feeders, but most all birds need water. Adding a dripper, mister, waterfall rock or other water movement device helps attract more birds and keeps water from getting stagnant. With moving water and clean feeders, your yard is sure to be an oasis for birds during these summer days.