Fall Birdhouse and Feeder Maintenance
It’s a great time to be outside now that the weather is cooling. Mosquitos and no-see-ums are retreating. There are several things you can do now to prepare your birdhouses for next spring and get your feeders up to snuff to attract birds this fall and winter.
Birdhouse Maintenance
Clean out old nests from nestboxes. It is our opinion this is a must. Leaving the old nest in the box will not deter a Bluebird or Chickadee from using the box next spring, they would build a new nest on top of the old, however, the old nest debris can create an environment attractive to ants and other insects that can and will actually consume newly hatched babies, and the adults are powerless to stop it.
Move birdhouses that have been unproductive for a few years to a new location. Try to determine why this box has not been appealing to a bird, or why there have been multiple failed attempts. Perhaps the nestbox is uncomfortably close to birdfeeders. While some of you have had success with a birdhouse close to feeders we think this location will not typically yield good results year after year. Birds do not normally choose a nest location close to a lot of bird traffic. How far away should you place a nestbox? It’s impossible to be exact but I would suggest about 100’, or out of sight of the feeders if closer. Maybe the nestbox is too exposed to prevailing weather allowing lots of moisture to enter the box. Now is a great time to make some adjustments.
If you have experienced predation by raccoons or snakes now would be a good time to add a baffle to a pole mount birdhouse. If you have a birdhouse on a tree trunk and had predation issues it is a good time to pole mount and baffle the nestbox. Do not wait too long to make these changes. Time has a way of getting away and you really don’t want to make these changes when a bird has already built a nest and laid eggs next spring.
Feeder Maintenance
Clean up feeders and get ready for feeder activity to pick up significantly in November. Warm soapy water and a feeder brush usually do an adequate job but for tougher jobs, a mild bleach solution may be necessary.
It is recommended feeders be cleaned regularly. Depending on conditions some feeders may need attention monthly. The seed ports on tube feeders require regular attention but are quite simple to address. Clorox wipes are a great way to disinfect the ports and perches. It only takes a minute per feeder. If any of your tube feeders have significant cracks or holes we may be able to provide you with a new replacement tube. The tubes on brands like Droll Yankees and Aspects are covered under warranty and we make an effort to keep them in stock. Bring your feeder in and we’ll see if we can repair it.
Winters here are typically wet which presents challenges in bird feeding. Wet weather tends to cause seed to clump clogging seed flow and making a mess. Before you know it you have seed that is molding. A weather dome or hanging squirrel baffle provides excellent protection from rain and snow, particularly on feeders containing shelled sunflower, shelled blends and peanuts, and finch feeders.
Winter Birds to Be Looking For
Look for the arrivals of winter residents like Junco, White-throated and White-crowned sparrows, Purple finch, Pine siskin, Red-breasted nuthatch, and Yellow-bellied sapsucker. And don’t forget to offer suet. During cold, wet conditions birds such as Bluebirds, Kinglets, Brown Creeper, and Yellow-rumped warbler may visit a suet feeder often.
Dark-eyed Junco.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Birds may find a water source even more appealing during winter months. Keep your birdbath free of ice with a submersible de-icer. They require an outlet and are thermostatically controlled. As always we have a couple of choices of heated baths in stock, too.