It’s hard to believe summer is almost over! Already birds have been preparing for fall migration, when
thousands of birds take to the air for their epic journeys to Mexico, Central and South America.
For weeks before the birds get ready to leave, there is a certain change in their metabolism. Nesting and fledging
are over and now the birds begin to eat ravenously, putting on enormous quantities of fat in order to have enough energy to burn
throughout their long flight. In addition, birds begin to get an urge to gather in large flocks to make the trip. After all, there is
strength in numbers.
Depending upon where the birds depart, they will use four major flyways
in the United States. There is the Atlantic Flyway, the Mississippi and Central Flyways as well as the Pacific Flyway. Within these
major routes are thousands of smaller routes. It’s believed that birds follow the routes using visual landmarks, known resting
locations, the stars and possibly the earth’s magnetic fields.
Some birds, including hummingbirds, actually fly non-stop across areas of the Gulf of Mexico. However these birds
do it, migration is an amazing phenomenon! With a fractured landscape, migrating birds have a more and more difficult time during
their trip as they search for stopping locations and food. We can help birds in several ways.
Birds love fruit, especially this time of year. For some reason, even seed-eating birds become highly
attracted to fruit and berry foods during this time of preparation. It’s thought that the antioxidants in fruit ease the stress of
migration and boost the birds’ immune system. Begin feeding fruit at least six weeks before the birds begin to depart, which will
ease their foraging and help them build up reserves of important nutrients.
What fruit will they eat? Fruits that can be offered are blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, hackberries,
elderberries and raspberries, among many others. Wild Chokecherries and Black Cherries are also welcomed and even grapes cut in
half will be accepted. Get the purple varieties—it doesn’t matter if they have seeds or not. Many times you can find berries that
are just past ripe at a bargain price.
Planting shrubs and bushes that bear berries will also attract birds to your yard. Local nurseries can help you
choose native plants that have good food value for birds.
You can also offer other fruits such as peaches, bananas, apples, grapes and oranges. Offer these fruits on a
wide platform feeder, so all the birds can get their share.
What else can you do? Other ways of helping birds before and during migration include providing an ample
supply of water. Birds will frequently stop near water sources. A large shallow pool is best and can be seen better from the air,
but if that’s not possible, several bird baths or pans of water placed on the ground may be enough to let the birds bathe and drink.
If you do get a lot of visitors, be sure the water is changed frequently.
Bathing during migration is especially important. Clean feathers eliminate drag, allowing the birds to use less
energy while flying. They also fluff up better, providing insulation when the birds stop to rest. If you’re lucky enough to have a
pond or natural pool on your property, place flat rocks along part of the edge so smaller birds have a place to enter where the water
isn’t so deep.
Now is the time to start feeding the birds. As always, providing seeds with high fat content will help the birds
build up fat reserves before migration and will help them maintain their energy and strength while on the flyways. Black oil sunflower
seeds are the recommended choice. This seed is accepted by all seed-eating birds and has the greatest amount of oil. It’s also the
most economical choice because the shell is so thin, birds will eat the entire seed and leave zero waste.
If you haven’t fed the birds on a regular basis, or maybe not at all during summer, now is the time to start. The
birds need all the help they can get and if we all do our part, their trip might be made just a little bit easier! Happy Birding!