Preparing Bird Feeders and Bird Baths for Fall

We've hit that time of year. The summer vacations are over, the kids are back in school, the weather
begins changing. For many us, that changing weather signals a time to take some extra care of our back yards. And that includes those bird feeders and bird baths. Here are few tips and suggestions to help you in that task.

Preparing Bird Feeders

Some of you feed your backyard birds all year long while others feed them only the colder months when food is harder to find. Either way, Fall is the time of year to make some changes.

• Bird feeders need to be cleaned regularly and Fall is a good time
• Put away any feeders that will become damaged by cold
• Watch that you are feeding birds the proper food for their needs
• Move the bird feeders so that birds can find them easily in the colder months

Preparing Bird Baths

Like many of you, I have both feeders and baths in my backyard. That's truly a great way to attract more of the charming birds that I enjoy watching. But colder months require a different arrangement when it comes to bird baths.

I prefer a pedestal style bird bath for several reasons.  Not only are they easily moveable to find shade and keep my yard from having a dead spot in the grass, but they can also be brought in if you don't plan to maintain them all Winter long.

Since I live in a part of the country that has mild winters, there are only some times when the water in the bird bath will freeze. During the rest of cold months, I leave my bird baths out and available to my backyard birds. Just like all animals, they need water even during the cold months.

Take Time in Fall for Winter Preparation

Take the time now, before the days get too chilly, to clean and prepare your bird feeders and bird baths. You can have some nice outdoor time as well as help your backyard birds who winter over with you.