A New Feeder Station, Just in Time for Fall Migration
There's a new landmark in the front yard. I finally built the feeding station I've been sketching in my head all summer: a sturdy 4x4 post with crossbeams on top, a copper-colored baffle to keep the squirrels honest, and enough arms to hang a little bit of everything. Right now it's carrying a yellow tube feeder, a couple of small hopper feeders, a tray feeder, and a suet cage, with a birdbath close by so visitors can get a drink and a splash.
The timing couldn't be better. Fall migration is in full swing, and here in Louisiana we sit under the Mississippi Flyway, one of the great highways birds follow as they head south for the winter. Some birds are just passing through, stopping to rest and refuel before they cross the Gulf. Others are arriving to spend the winter with us, like white-throated sparrows, yellow-rumped warblers, and ruby-crowned kinglets. A reliable spot with food, fresh water, and the cover of nearby trees can make a real difference to a tired traveler.
That's what I had in mind when I picked this spot along the edge of the woods. The birds can dart in to eat and then duck back into the trees, and I get a front-row seat from the house. I'll be keeping a list of who shows up, so stay tuned for photos and a few surprise guests (I hope!).
"Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul." — Emily Dickinson
If you've been thinking about putting up a feeder, this is a wonderful time to start. Keep it clean, keep the water fresh, and give it a little patience. The birds will find you.
Who's visiting your feeders this fall? Tell me in the comments!
Hashtags: #FallMigration #BirdFeeder #BackyardBirds #BirdWatching #Birding #MississippiFlyway #LouisianaBirds #Natchitoches #FeedTheBirds #DIYProjects #WildlifeGarden #BirdsOfInstagram
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