6 Ways to Prepare Your Yard for Fall Migration
Attract migrating birds to your backyard by setting up an environment that mimics how birds naturally live and forage.
1. Understand fall migration.
When fall arrives, a bird's life transitions. Summer was nesting time, during which birds set up territories and raise babies. In the fall, they are no longer raising families, and most of these territories break down. Some birds flock up with their own kind and use the flock as a winter survival tactic, taking advantage of more eyes to search for food and watch for predators.
Some birds mix together with other bird species in a winter foraging flock. This loose foraging guild travels around, learning each other’s alarm calls to protect from danger. They also learn food foraging techniques from each other, such as searching up or down trees.
2. Attract birds with low-lying landscapes.
Overall, a varied, dynamic landscape that is not completely manicured will help attract birds during the fall. Take a look at your landscape, try to leave some natural roughage. If possible, leave weed-seed plants. Many birds, like finches, sparrows, and juncos, love to work on them.
Put out a few brush piles. It gives birds a place to hide from the weather and predators. It also gives them a place to loaf and socialize before and after eating at your feeders. Ground-feeding environments attract birds that avoid elevated food sources. Song sparrows like to feed this way and are just about everywhere in North America.
You also want millet-type blends. These are wonderful when offered in feeders that are near the ground or in an elevated feeder that allows some millet to be dropped to the ground.
3. Attend to bird feeding stations.
Fall is the perfect time to attend to your bird feeding stations. Take the opportunity to clean and repair your feeders now, because who really wants to care for feeders during winter weather?
Fall is also a great time to move bird feeding stations closer to the house. It will be easier to keep them full during winter’s cold. Plus, regularly moving feeding stations prevents the buildup of debris under the feeder, making it healthier for ground-feeding birds.
4. Fresh food now to attract birds later.
As birds come through and decide where to stay, they are more likely to stay if they note a regularly available food source. Even if they are not hitting the food source on a consistent basis in the fall, once the weather turns cooler, they’ll remember where that reliable source is. By keeping food fresh now, even if it’s a small amount, the birds will reward you once the weather turns.
5. There are more food sources beyond seed.
Make sure you have high-quality, fresh food and high-energy, high-fat foods. Wild Birds Unlimited seed blends have these qualities. Also, spreadable Bark Butter or Bark Butter Bits are great sources. Bark Butter in any form is a magnet for birds, and there are over 140 species confirmed that enjoy them. Once they try it, birds are all over it. Live or dried mealworms are another option. These foods help captivate migrating birds.
6. Provide a moving water source.
A moving water source is a magnet for birds. If a bird is passing through and sees or hears moving water, they will almost always check it out. They need open water sources for drinking and keeping their feathers maintained for flight and proper insulation as the nights get colder.
Stop by the store and we’ll show you the foods, feeders, and other products to help attract migrating birds.
October birds to watch in your Central Illinois backyard
October brings a special kind of magic to our backyards. The trees may be losing their leaves, but that just makes it easier to spot feathered visitors stopping by for food and water before winter settles in. This is the month when migration mixes with our year-round favorites, giving you plenty of action right outside your window.
Look for white-throated and white-crowned sparrows scratching around under feeders. These crisp, stripe-headed birds arrive in October and quickly make themselves at home, especially if you offer millet or sunflower hearts. They tend to travel in friendly little groups, so when you see one, you’ll likely see more.
Keep an eye out for the arrival of the dark-eyed junco, often called the “snowbird.” These slate-gray cuties show up in October as if to remind us that frosty mornings aren’t far off. They love to forage on the ground and will happily visit platform feeders stocked with mixed seed.
Meanwhile, our year-round friends, Northern Cardinals, Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and Downy Woodpeckers, are extra busy. They’re stashing seeds and filling up on suet, peanuts, and sunflower to prepare for colder days. Toss in the chance of spotting a late migrant like a warbler or kinglet at your birdbath, and October becomes one of the most rewarding months to birdwatch from home.
🍂 P.S. It’s the perfect time to stock up, too! From October 10–26, enjoy 15% off all bird food. Daily Savings Club members save an extra 5% on top of that. Your birds will thank you! Take a look at our Monthly Specials page to find the deal!
Live Raptor Series
The Illinois Raptor Center of Decatur will present every other month starting February 22. Our February program kicks off at 9 a.m. and features a live Red-Tailed Hawk. Seating is limited, so please call or visit the store to reserve your spot. If you’re unable to attend after reserving, we kindly ask that you let us know so others can take advantage of the opportunity.
Dates and raptors for the year are:
April 26 Barn Owl
June 28 Ferruginous Hawk
August 30 Great Horned owl
October 25 Snowy Owl
Red Tailed Hawk
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