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Getting Ready for Fall

Goldfinch in winter plumage. Image provided by Cornell Lab or Ornithology

It’s that time of year.  Most orioles have left town and hummingbirds are following them shortly.  While the season for these nectar eaters is coming to an end locally, it isn’t over yet!  Keeping feeders out for two weeks after you have seen your last hummingbird is recommended to capture all the hummingbirds that are still migrating south from more northern locations.  Keeping nectar out won’t keep them from migrating, but it will give them an important source of food as they make their long journey back to Central and South America.

Goldfinches are eating a lot this time of year!  If you are seeing more of them at your feeders it is probably some of the young that have left the nest.  These birds won’t be bright yellow, but a more drab yellowish brown.  The bright gold finches we are so used to seeing stay here all year, but the males will turn a drab color as well as we get closer to, dare I say it, winter.
Right now is a great time to clean out the nest boxes you have in your yard that are no longer in use.  Birds may go in and out of them in the winter time to stay out of harsh conditions, but they do not need nesting material to keep them warm.  Old nesting material can be a source of mold and parasites and it is in the best interest of the birds to have nest boxes clean.  Now is also a great time to clean your feeders!  You can do it yourself using dish soap and warm water.  Afterwards dip it in a light bleach solution of one part bleach to ten parts water and rinse it well.  Or, you can also bring your birdfeeder to The Bird House for cleaning!  Saturday, September 23rd is feeder cleaning day here at the store!  Drop your feeders off between 10-3 that day or any day the week of the 18th.  We will clean your feeder and call you when its done!

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