Welcome Migrating Birds to Your Fall Garden

By Jaye Lewis

Fall is a particularly difficult time of the year for migrating birds, especially with climate changes and unstable weather patterns. Flying south is often delayed for birds that nest in snow country in summer. When they begin their migration south, much of their natural food sources are no longer available. Many part-time birders neglect to provide nourishment during autumn, not realizing that many birds will die along their journey, merely for want of food and water.

Fall is an essential time to provide food and water for these wonderful visiting birds. Your water supply may be as elaborate as a three-tier bubbling fountain, or as simple as a small pond or a "solar sipper" (a little ice-free fountain that can be attached to a deck). Birds are not particularly fussy about containers. They like it shallow, and they like their water fresh.

For cost-conscious birders, any shallow water container will do, as long as it is kept free from ice. Dig a small depression in the ground and place into the depression a pie plate, a clean upside-down garbage can lid, or a large plant saucer. Fill with clean, warm water, and change it frequently. Birds will flock to your yard, well into winter, and some will stay into spring, making your yard their permanent home.

One of my favorite treats to make for the birds is a wild bird wreath. Here are the instructions:

Wild Bird Wreath Recipe

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup shortening
3 cups corn meal
1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
2 cups of any bird seed mix

1. Squish everything together with your hands (I wear latex gloves) in a large bowl.
2. Scrape mixture into a bundt pan lined with non-stick aluminum foil.
3. Freeze for one hour.
4. Release from pan onto board.
5. Press black sunflower seeds and dried fruit into the "wreath."
6. Freeze for one more hour.
7. Remove from freezer and loop a large red ribbon around and around the wreath.
8. Tie ends of ribbon into a bow.
9. Hang from a branch in your favorite tree, using ribbon or close line.

Stand back and enjoy the show. The birds will love you.

© Doityourself.com 2006