We're All About Birds, for All Seasons

September

Warblers are flitting through the Twin Cities on their way south for the winter.  Juvenile American Goldfinches are flocking to feeders in droves with their parents.  And their parents are already starting to molt, the females becoming more olive green in color as our summer gives way to fall.

Three cheers for oak trees as many backyard birders can enjoy a brief respite from their furry nemesis as the squirrels abandon feeders in favor of tasty acorns.  If you have a lot of oaks, gather the acorns in a plastic bag, seal it and store them in your freezer for a nice winter treat for your squirrels.

Other things to add to your "Bird List" are:

- Sink any posts or poles now that you'll want to use for new feeders or houses over the winter or early in the spring before the ground thaws.

- Stock up on Joe's Mix, or purchase a small bag of pure white millet to scatter under your feeders. Migrating sparrows love the white millet and flocks of these melodic birds will liven up your yard this fall.

- Offer berries in your fly-through feeder or on the ground near your bath for migrating robins, waxwings and bluebirds.

- Keep your hummingbird feeder filled! We're at the peak of migration right now - just look at any field that has the bright orange "Touch-Me-Nots" in bloom: it'll be full of hummingbirds. We recommend keeping feeders up into October to help those late stragglers.

- Set up a chickadee roost box for these charismatic birds to use during the winter. We stock them in all our stores and they're only $48.99.

- Watch overhead for the mass migration of hawks, and later this month keep your eyes open for the earliest migrating swans.

- Take a walk in a local park or nature area for a chance to see other migrating birds that don't necessarily stop by feeders (warblers, thrushes, tanagers).

- And yes, it's time to dig out that heated bird bath. Last year our first ice on the bird bath was Oct. 5th!

If you're not a member, or your membership has lapsed, be sure to join or renew before our annual Frequent Feeder Days (Sept. 21-27, 2009).  During FFM Days, you'll receive a 20% discount on your purchases. This discount may not be combined with other discounts.  View our Frequent Feeder Days info here.(2MB PDF)