Attracting Migrating Birds to Your Yard

It’s that time of year again—fall migration is in full swing! Seeing transient birds flying to their winter habitat is a wonderful experience, and as a bird on a long journey, it is always nice to have a good place to rest and recuperate from a long flight. Migrating birds may not be familiar with your backyard as a safe place to rest, but if you add some extra enticements, weary birds will be attracted to land there.

The number one lure is, of course, food. Be sure to refill your bird feeders consistently throughout the season. Your bird feeders need to be cleaned regularly because fresh seed is more attractive to birds. Clean bird feeders also help thwart the spread of diseases that birds may spread to their wintering grounds.

As far as feed, offer the birds a wide variety of foods to ensure that all different types of birds have something to eat. To attract the most birds, include seed, suet, and fruit. You can also plant fruit-bearing trees which offer a natural food source. Fruit that stays on the trees in the winter is great for winter birds. Planting late blooming flowers, a natural food source, will also attract birds as a visual indication of a nice resting spot.

If you prune your trees, make a pile of brush for an instant shelter. Birds are always concerned about a safe area to rest. Birdhouses should also be left standing so that traveling birds can use them as shelter to stay warm at night.

By taking these steps, you have a chance to be a part of the migrations that occur twice a year and can get some great bird watching in!