Nature Happenings

Breeding Season Ends

Except for goldfinches and late bluebirds, bird breeding and nesting season ends this month. In July and August, after the male goldfinch has serenaded the female with canary-like songs, goldfinches begin to nest for the first and only time of the year. Though goldfinches carry the reputation of being finicky eaters, you’ll have no problem finding a suitable offering that will please their palate. Goldfinches love to eat fresh, dry Nyjer® (thistle) and sunflower seeds.

Blackbirds Galore

While late summer continues to be a wonderful time to feed the birds, unwanted feeder visitors can be troublesome. With the proper feeders, food and accessories, you can enjoy your birds and limit these possible problems. Offer safflower to keep starlings and grackles from eating all your bird food, crowding your feeders and chasing away the birds you want to see. Safflower is a small, white seed that is high in protein and fat. Most song birds eat safflower, however, starlings, grackles and squirrels typically do not.

Hummingbirds Are Still Here

Watch your hummingbird feeders this month and you’ll witness one of the greater spectacles in the hobby of backyard bird feeding. Adult hummingbirds are now joined by a horde of newly fledged juveniles in a migratory eating binge that only occurs at this time of year. Hummingbirds, particularly adult males, can be very feisty and aggressive when defending their territories. By hanging multiple hummingbird feeders around your yard, you make it difficult for a territorial male to defend the area, allowing other birds to visit the feeders.