5 Tips To Get Your Garden Fall Ready For Migratory Birds

With fall in full swing and winter on the way we’re looking at ways to keep our backyard filled with wildlife. An exhibitor at Canada Blooms, Toronto Wild Birds Unlimited has provided us with some super useful tips to make sure our feathery friends make a stop in our backyard throughout the season.

1. Clean your birdfeeder
Your birdfeeder has been an active hub over the summer, to get it ready for fall and winter it is always a good idea to give it a little clean. Start by emptying the feeder. Grab a small bucket and combine 1 part water to 10 parts bleach. Using an old rag wash and rinse the bird feeder. You can either let it air dry or use a dry cloth to dry it.

2. Choose a bird feed that is high in protein and fat.
With temperatures dropping birds begin to grow in winter feathers and start storing energy for the cold weather. Try using a mix of 60% black oil sunflower seed, some roasted no-shell peanuts, a bit of safflower and some white millet. Not only will this feed fill the hungriest birds but it will attract various types of migratory birds.

3. Don’t deadhead your garden
Leave your flowers blooming, it’s less work for you and the birds will love eating the fresh supply of food. The wilder your garden the more lively an ecosystem. Birds love searching for insects as another source of nutrients when preparing for the new season.

4. Save your pruning clippings
If you have some pruning to take care of in your garden, be sure to save all the clippings in a pile. With hawks and falcons that might be hunting in your backyard the clippings pile will provide a perfect safe spot for smaller birds to fly into and hide. If you are looking for a great pair of pruners be sure to get in touch with David by calling 705-888-1085

5. Use a heated birdbath
Finding fresh water in the winter is incredibly difficult for birds, and your birdbath will be a great source! Along with using a heated birdbath it’s important to change the water regularly. Find some great heated bird baths at Wild Birds Unlimited.

Now that your garden is ready for the upcoming seasons it’s time to sit back and enjoy the show of migratory birds stopping by for a visit in your very own backyard. If you would like to get more involved, and join others in observing the birds of different seasons, sign up for Project Feeder Watch

Thanks again to Toronto Wild Birds Unlimited for the great tips and photos! Find there shop at 5468 Dundas Street West in Toronto, and for more information about birds and prepping your garden for the fall contact wildbirdsunlimited@rogers.com or call (416) 233-3558.