Words On Birds 09-18-26

Create a Habitat for Returning Birds
September 18, 2026
By Steve Grinley

     September is a transitional month for many bird species in New England. Summer birds begin their migration south to warmer climates, while fall migrants begin to arrive. Most orioles, tanagers, and grosbeaks have left, but the first juncos and white-throated sparrows have reached our state.

     The feeders have gone quiet due to the ample amount of natural food available to birds. Many flowers, grasses and weeds have gone to seed, providing food for sparrows, finches and other seed eating birds. Many fall fruit bearing shrubs and trees are bearing fruit for birds. Now is a good time to spruce up your yard and provide a welcoming habitat for your feathered friends.

     As the weather continues to change, and the natural food supply dwindles, birds will be back seeking alternative sources for food and shelter. Here are some tips for creating a more attractive habitat for the returning birds:

     1.Fresh water is a year ‘round necessity for all birds. Set up a bird bath or even a shallow dish to provide a source of water. It is not too soon to think about freezing temperatures and preparing for winter. A self-contained heated bath is the easiest solution, or you can add a de-icer to an existing bath once the temperatures require it.

     2.Maintain clean feeders and birdbaths to keep birds healthy. Regularly clean and refill feeders and scrub bird baths to prevent algae buildup and disease.

     3. Consider Placement of Feeders. Position feeders near trees or shrubs, providing perches and shelter for tired birds to rest and hide from predators. Minimize window collisions by placing feeders either very close to or on the window, or more than more than 20 feet away to reduce the risk of window collisions.

     4. Choose fresh, nutrient-rich seeds and blends that attract the widest selection of birds. Provide the essential nutrients and energy that migrating and wintering birds need.

     5. Add a suet feeder. Suet is an energy-rich source of food that is invaluable in colder weather conditions. Suet is particularly attractive to woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, jays, and even cardinals. Help keep your backyard birds warm by offering up suet in a sturdy feeder made in the USA.

     6. Native plants and skip? fall clean-up. While a manicured yard may look nice, you may want to skip some of your autumn chores. Leaves rot and enrich the soil. They also provide places for bugs and birds to forage for food. Let the perennials stand until spring. The seed heads of coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and other native wildflowers provide helpful food for birds. Create a bird-friendly haven by planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers.

     7. Add a roosting pocket or roosting box. Birds survive by crowding into them to help stay warm on cold nights or during inclement weather. Clean our existing bird houses and add dried grass to allow wintering birds to roost during the winter.

     Elevate your backyard into a haven for returning birds to make your bird watching experience unforgettable in the months ahead.