Autumn Bird Feeding~
Autumn is a terrific time to start feeding birds. Not only will backyard birds appreciate a delicious feast but so will migrating birds.The best foods for autumn birds will also help migrants fuel up for their long journey and help young birds grow big and strong for the winter.
What foods are best to offer autumn birds? Feeding needs will change and it depends on which birds are visiting your feeders.

Here are some suggestions~

1. Sunflower Seeds, whether black oil, striped or hulled, are probably the single best food to offer birds in any season.
   
2. Nectar
   
3. Suet is a high energy food ideal for fall birds.
   
4. Nyjer seed is the favorite food of many finches, and finches will begin to appear at feeders in autumn.
   
5. Millet is a grain that is preferred by juncos, sparrows, quail and grouse.
   
6. Bird seed mixes are great to offer birds in any season. (Offer mixed seeds in any feeder, including platforms, trays, hoppers and tubes).
   
7. Peanuts are a great autumn food for birds. (If You like Blue Jays they especially love this)
   
8. Natural foods are like the Whole Foods Market for backyard and migrating birds alike as they may like this better than formal feeders. Seed-bearing flowers, fruits and berries from your fruit trees can attract a wide variety of birds in autumn, as can seeds from ornamental grasses. Many birds love acorns and pine nuts. (Avoid feeding birds salted or flavored nuts).

As the temperatures drop so do the leaves from the trees which can give us a birds eye view in densely wooded areas. Fall is (usually) after nesting season and the younger birds help to create larger flocks.This also is the beginning of migration time for many species of birds and because of this autumn can be one of the most spectacular times for seasoned birders and beginners alike.

Autumn Bird Watching!

Knowing where to spot birds during the autumn can be as different as seeing the same local species or spotting new visiting species just stopping by as they migrate. Some suggested spots for birds in the fall are:waterways and coastal areas for waterfowl and shorebirds. Cliffs, hills or mountains for eagles, hawks, osprey and falcons. Check out open-fields and grasslands for sparrows and songbirds.

You can also attract birds to your own garden. It isn’t always necessary to venture far and wide to see birds in the fall when you stock your backyard with seed and water for our feathered friends!

And lastly remember to be polite and mind your bird etiquette while birding. Hold conversations in low tones and keep your voice down, turn off cell phone ringers, share spaces with other birders and keep views clear by not walking in front of others. Birdwatchers should keep an appropriate distance from all species they observe and remember they are not pets. Be mindful of their habitat, take all garbage/trash with you and keep the birding environment neat and clean. If you are birding in your own garden be sure and make birding areas safe from predators and house pets.

Van Bourgondien Nursery has an extensive variety of birding supplies to accommodate all our feathered flocks of friends!

Happy Birding!