Wood Thrush Notes

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.

Wood Thrush Notes

Happy first day of October.  While there isn’t as much going on with birds in our yards now compared to the spring and summer months there is a massive movement of birds occurring known as migration.  It is a fascinating subject that we allude to often; however, it is so complex that we just scratch the surface in blogs.  For those of you that want to know more here is a link to a great article from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that explains so much in layman’s terms.  It is definitely worth reading if you ever wondered why birds migrate or how birds as small as Ruby-throated hummingbirds can travel as much as 1300 miles twice a year.   

Link to Basics of Bird Migration

Wood Thrush Notes

Fall Migration is underway and while your seed birdfeeders will typically be a little slower now through October birdwatching in the area will be significantly more interesting. On your morning walks have your binoculars with you and ready because Warblers, Tanagers, Orioles, Grosbeaks, and Flycatchers are pouring through middle Tennessee on their return to Central and South America stopping to feed in the mornings on insects.

Tennessee Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Mornings are the best time to see lots of different species because many of these migrants travel at night. They settle down to rest and feed in the morning. And mornings after a storm tend to be even better. Make time to visit one of the many great local birdwatching areas this fall to see some birds you may not have seen before. The usual local hot spots include:

• Radnor Lake

• Warner Parks

• Bells Bend

• Harpeth River Greenway

• Shelby Bottoms

• Hidden Lakes State Park

• Gossett Tract State Park

• Bowie Nature Park

• Montgomery Bell State Park

The Nashville Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society is once again offering the first of 4 fall migration birdwatching walks at Radnor Lake beginning Wed. Sept. 22. If you have considered making birdwatching a new activity and don’t know where to start this would be a great opportunity for you to learn from some very experienced birders. For more information about the Nashville Chapter of TOS please visit their website, www.nashvillebirds.org

Fall Slowdown and Fall Hummers

Fall Slowdown

Many of you have already noticed a slow down at your feeders. Sometimes it can be abrupt and dramatic. You may even notice some species become practically non-existent. Bird feeders in September and October are typically very quiet. This is surprising to some but actually normal and understandable. With the conclusion of the breeding season birds are now in less need of the quick, easy food source at your feeders. While raising their young during the months of March through July birds expend tremendous amounts of energy raising young and will take great advantage of backyard feeders. We sell more seed and suet during those months than we do in winter.

Young birds are mostly independent now and the lives of adult birds are at a much more leisurely pace. In addition nature is producing an abundance of food at this time. Not only are insects still plentiful but every tree, shrub, weed, and wildflower are producing seeds, nuts, and fruit. There is literally food for birds everywhere. It is a great example of the fact that birds do not rely on our feeders but simply take advantage of them in times of more demand for food. So, don’t worry that you are not seeing many birds around the feeders right now. It is totally normal. About the time we get the first frost or two, you will begin to see a return of your favorite birds to feeders. I don’t know about you but a good frost sounds good right about now.

By the time October arrives you will begin to see a few of our winter visitors, like Junco’s, White-throated sparrows, Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, Kinglets, and hopefully, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Although, with the Pine siskin issues (salmonella) we had last winter I would prefer they not visit us this winter.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will continue to be present through October though their numbers will be fewer with each week that passes. The peak of hummer feeding activity has likely passed so I reduce the numbers of feeders I offer by a few. As mid-October arrives I will continue to offer at least two feeders. And because there is always a remote possibility of a western hummingbird showing up I will leave one feeder out beyond Thanksgiving.

Rare Mexican Violetear

Each year a few people around the mid-state are pleasantly surprised to discover a hummingbird investigating a feeder that may have been inadvertently left out with no nectar. Two customers within 3 miles of The Wood Thrush Shop experienced Rufous hummingbirds last fall. Western hummingbirds that have regularly been seen in TN include Rufous, Anna’s, and Black-chinned. Last year a Mexican Violetear was trapped and banded in Montgomery Co. For more information about wintering hummingbirds you may want to visit southeastavianresearch.org

Wood Thrush Notes

Avoid Bugs in your Birdseed

In late summer one may experience a fairly common issue with stored birdseed; the Indian meal moth. The Indian meal moth is a little brown moth that can hatch inside a container of seed whether it is stored inside or out. They will feed on the seed and reproduce in the container, generally creating a messy situation. You may also see Indian meal moths flying around where dry dog and cat food are sold.

View fullsize

Indian meal moth, or pantry moth.

View fullsize

Indian meal moth larvae.

Here are few tips to help you avoid these troublesome moths:

• Buy quantities of seed you will use quickly, preferably, within a month. Keep in mind this time of year birdfeeding is slowing down from its torrid pace of spring and early summer. In fact, mid-September to the end of October is the slowest time of year at birdfeeders.

• Never store the remainder of a bag of seed with the intention of using it again a few months later. When you open that bag you will likely be met by lots of moths, or you will see their eggs which appear as a webby kind of substance mixed among the seed.

• Use up what you have in your container before adding new seed.

• If you discover mealmoths in a small bag of seed you can put it in the freezer for a few hours or overnight. This will effectively kill off the moths and the eggs. If you discover the eggs or larvae of the mealmoth there is no need to throw away the seed, just go ahead and use the rest. The webby material is not harmful to the birds. In fact, the eggs would just be a source of protein. After using the remainder of the seed in the container, give it a good rinse to ensure all eggs were removed. We usually stock Indian mealmoth traps but they have been difficult to get lately. These traps are usually available in hardware stores, too.

Remember this is only a problem in the latter part of summer and early fall. Once the new crop is harvested and begins to be distributed in November the issue will go away until next August-September.

Unknown Cause of Bird Deaths Update

As many of you know there were many bird deaths documented in several states in mainly the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. The main symptom was swollen, crusted-over eyes in fledglings of blue jays, robins, grackles, and a few other species.

The good news is, according to the most recent update from the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab, it seems this bird mortality event is beginning to subside without significant impact to bird populations overall. After extensive testing several diseases and pathogens were ruled out but it is still unknown what the cause of the outbreak actually was.

One theory that was considered early on but was dismissed then re-considered is connected to the periodical cicadas of Brood X that emerged this year. Because the documentation of sick and dead birds overlays with the timeframe and geographic distribution of the cicadas it seems likely there’s a connection. It could be some natural illness caused by ingesting cicadas or possibly secondary effects of pesticides that people sprayed on the cicadas. It’s important to note, however, that this cicada connection is still just speculation. Remember, pesticides do not just kill insects.

As always, we cannot stress enough to regularly clean feeders and baths to provide the best environment possible for the birds. It is a small price to pay for the enjoyment they give us.