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Fall Slowdown and Fall Hummers

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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

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.

Indian meal moth, or pantry moth.

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.

Huge Purple Martin Roost in Nashville

The huge Purple Martin roost that created quite a stir at the Nashville Symphony Center last year is back. Last September an estimated 150,000 Purple Martins turned the Symphony Center into a staging area roost in their fall migration and they have returned.

Purple Martins leave their colony nesting sites by mid-July and begin gathering in flocks before moving again to the next destination on their route. Eventually they will form huge roosts numbering in the hundreds of thousands along the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida as they continue migration to their winter homes in Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina.

The roost will likely be present for another few weeks so make it a point to go see this amazing spectacle.

Warner Park may still be looking for volunteers to assist on a nightly basis to monitor and report observations. For more information visit

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4da5ac2da3f8c34-purple1

Hummingbirds, The Fun is About to Start!

Here we are at the beginning of August and the time has come for Ruby-throated hummingbirds to ramp up their interest in feeders and the action will be fast and furious now through the end of September until as late as mid-October. Hummingbird nesting is likely near conclusion. If you have been discouraged by the lack of hummingbird activity thus far this summer now is the time to make fresh nectar, clean up the feeder and try again.

For many of you the spring and early summer months produce little if any activity at your feeders. Why? Let’s not forget Ruby-throated hummingbirds DO NOT make the long journey here from Central and South America for the sugar water in feeders. They DO NOT NEED the feeders but will take full advantage of them when they are through nesting and fattening up for migration becomes their primary goal. Hummingbirds have been migrating here for thousands of years to breed and to take advantage of the abundance of insects, which is their primary food source. They would be here even if hummingbird feeders did not exist.

It is thought by many the reason for this sudden surge is they have just "come back" from where they've been. Actually, it is because summer resident hummingbirds have concluded raising one, two, or even three broods of offspring and are ready to begin taking advantage of nectar in feeders.

Ruby-throated hummers usually raise two chicks at a time so when the nesting phase concludes you may be seeing at least 6 young hummers coming to feeders. The youngsters, male and female, look very much like adult females. Then as hummingbirds from more northern locations begin funneling through TN in late August and into September the fun really begins. Wave after wave of hummingbirds begin passing through TN on their way to the Gulf of Mexico where they will eventually find their path across. Hummingbird migration is triggered by the days now getting shorter, not necessarily temperature or weather.

The best nectar you can offer hummingbirds is a simple 1 part sugar to 4 parts water solution. It is not necessary for the water to be brought to a boil before adding sugar. The nectar is ready after the sugar has been stirred in and fully dissolved. Do not add color. Color is absolutely unnecessary and potentially harmful. Also it is bad to use natural raw sugar, the kind that is slightly brown in color. Regular white table sugar is best. When making larger batches for refrigeration boiling the water is recommended.

As October approaches and numbers of hummingbirds have decreased significantly it is good to keep at least one feeder out to provide late migraters a “fueling” station. It is not true that leaving a feeder out will cause hummingbirds to stay and ultimately not migrate.

Wood Thrush Notes

Update on Mysterious Bird Deaths

Last week we reported on the mysterious bird deaths taking place north of us and in Mid-Atlantic states. We have had no reported sightings of sick or dying birds from customers here in Nashville but we do recommend being vigilant. The TWRA has collected some specimens for testing and will make a statement next week regarding their findings. At this time the TWRA is recommending that feeders be taken down if you witness a dead or obviously sick bird. As reported last week the species most affected thus far have been Robins, Blue Jays, Common Grackle, and Starlings. I wish we could offer more detailed and definitive information; however, there is still much to be learned. As information from credible sources is gathered we will promptly share it with our customers.

Bald Cardinals

I have seen a number of Northern Cardinals recently that are partially to totally bald. They do look odd but it is normal and temporary. After the breeding season and usually beginning in mid-summer birds begin molting. Northern Cardinals and Blue jays often lose all of their head feathers at once rather than a little at a time like most other songbirds making their molt mostly unnoticeable. Sometimes the feather loss can be the result of a feather mite but this particular molt pattern for Cardinals and Jays is considered normal. If you see what appears to be a Cardinal with a black head grab some binoculars and look a little closer. It’s slightly disturbing at first but it does offer an interesting glimpse at the position of the ear which is below and back of the eye.