Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2006 PDF
file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/birdsquirrels.html

Fall Color With ... Birds! 
September 2006
Mike Hargrove, Johnson's Ridge Rd. Store Manager

    Fall is the time of year many people replace faded hanging baskets
with a bird feeder to start attracting birds and add a touch of color
for the winter.

Be Patient ... They Will Come
    If you put up a new feeder in the fall or just hang up an old one,
do not be surprised if the birds fail to flock to it right away. Birds
find food by sight and are leery of anything new in their territory. It
will probably take them a couple of weeks to get accustomed to a new
feeder.

    Fall is also the time of year with the most natural food sources
available and traffic at established feeders is usually at its lowest
point. Be patient and they will come.

    Although I keep feeding stations going year round, I add a few more
in the fall to get ready for the Native Sparrows and Finches that are
around only during the winter. Once the Juncos arrive, I know the Harris
and White Crowned Sparrows will soon follow. They prefer ground and
platform feeders.

Fill Your Feeders With Care
    The Goldfinches flock to the Finch feeders as long as I have fresh
Nyjer (thistle) or Finch Mix (nyjer and fine sunflower chips only
please). Two of the most common mistakes people make with Finches is
putting the feeder out at the wrong time (Goldfinches are here only from
fall through spring) and leaving the food there until they eat it. Would
you eat a meal that has been outside for months?

    I beef up my peanut feeding during the winter months. The Blue Jays
and Squirrels can make pigs of themselves all year on the peanuts in the
shell I put out for them, but I also like to cater to the Carolina
Wrens, Chickadees and Woodpeckers with shelled peanuts in a wire peanut
feeder.

    Suet is traditionally a winter food to attract Woodpeckers, Wrens,
Chickadees, Nuthatches and Titmice; if the temperature is too warm,
melting can be a problem. An alternative or addition to suet feeding is
a seed block. We now carry a line of seed blocks from Wild Delight that
can be fed year round, catering to tree-feeding, clinging birds. The
Total Cuisine Block contains sunflower meats and tree nuts and is a "no
mess" blend, much like the Johnson's Gardener's Choice. For Goldfinch
fans, the Finch Mix Block contains the right mixture of Nyjer and
sunflower chips. The feeder for these blocks is similar to a suet feeder
with a roof.

    Start up or add to your bird feeding stations this fall and you'll
enjoy a variety of active, colorful companions in your landscape all
winter long!