7 Fall Bird Garden Essentials: Beyond Feeders

One of my favorite aspects of conservation is gardening for animals. Bird gardening is part and parcel to that. What makes me even happier is knowing that I don’t need a huge space to bring in winged friends. All I need is a few fall bird garden essentials to be a good host.

Birds bring so many benefits with them when they visit. Smaller birds provide pest control services by gobbling up caterpillars and small insects. Larger birds take out rodents that can devastate food crops. And all birds are lovely and fascinating to watch, no matter what time of year it is.

If you want birds, garden for them! As you plan your bird garden, keep the following in mind. It doesn’t matter if you’re growing on a patio or on a multi-acre lot. These essentials lure in the birds. Ensure these simple elements are present, and you’ll have a source of entertainment better than any TV you’ve ever seen!

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Grow Native Plants

Ask any bird expert, and you’ll find that the best of the fall bird garden essentials is growing natives. Not only are native plants adapted to your region, but they have also evolved alongside wild birds for centuries. Birds have a long-established relationship with these plants.  

If you’re growing in a larger yard, make 70% of the plants you’re growing native plants. This is the standard that the National Wildlife Federation recommends for benefiting wildlife. On a balcony or patio devoid of plants, it’s easy to make seven out of ten indigenous. 

You may be unsure which plants to grow. To start, locate your ecoregion, and see which species are best for the region you live in. These selections are widespread and fairly easy to find.

Notice that each region has an associated oak tree. Oaks are one of the best trees to have in a bird garden, as they support tons of wildlife that feed birds through the seasons. They are a great space for nesting and sheltering, too. If you have room to plant one in the ground, you won’t regret it! 

Provide a Water Source

Birds appreciate native plants that give them food and shelter. But one of the most important fall bird garden essentials is a water source. If you have a pond, that’s incredible. You’ll bring in plenty of smaller birds, who feed on the insects that live in or near the pond. You’ll also attract water birds that feed on frogs, toads, tadpoles, and minnows. 

So don’t be surprised if you look out at your pond one morning and see a crane, egret, or heron. For those with smaller spaces, a simple bird bath works just as well. It gives birds a place to drink and cool off when it’s warm. Purchase a fully assembled bath, or make a small one from an adapted terracotta pot. 

Change out your water daily, and clean your bath at least once per week. If you live in a region that gets cold in winter, either take down your bird bath after the first frost or provide a heated bath. A small solar pump is inexpensive and keeps water moving, preventing bacterial and algal buildup. 

Think About Seasonality

Birds, whether they migrate through your region or live there year-round, are constantly looking for food. As you select the plants for your bird garden, consider their food source and when it’s available to birds.

Include a good mix. Seed heads feed songbirds, as do berries. Caterpillars and insects are important food as well. Nectar feeds hummingbirds. 

Berries are most often available in the fall or winter. Seedheads become available in summer, through fall, and winter. Nectar, caterpillars, and insects are generally spring and summer foods, but those in mild areas can have them available in the fall. 

Similarly, think about the shelter that each plant provides. Having low shrubs provides cover for ground-nesting birds and ground-foragers like doves and quail. Bare branches give hawks and owls a perch as they hunt. Taller shrubs are a great place for nesting wrens and mockingbirds. 

No matter the garden size, consider the bloom times and the times that plants offer some protection to birds throughout the year. 

Make a Bird House

A bird house is a great way to provide shelter in a smaller footprint, which is great for gardeners with smaller bird gardens. Even if you do have a larger space, birdhouses are fall bird garden essentials. They give nesting birds a place to hole up as the chill rolls in. 

Different birds prefer differently-shaped birdhouses. Whichever you choose, follow the base standard for all birdhouses. Smaller birds like a smaller box, and larger birds need bigger ones. Some birds, like ducks, are cavity nesters and rarely use a house. 

If you know which birds are most common in your area, focus on them, and do a little research to determine the best houses for them. You certainly don’t have to make one if you know where to buy one. Or you can grow one!

Restore Their Habitat

We’ve already talked about the backbone of bird habitat: native plants. But think about the way you plant and arrange your garden to support them even more. If you have a large enough yard, leave a small piece wild to attract insects. Have small brush piles around to give invertebrates a place to live, and small birds food and nesting material. 

To attract and support the widest variety of birds possible, include varying flower shapes that bloom, fruit, and seed out at various times. Go for multiple food sources planted intentionally. Where possible and necessary, include trees, and particularly ones that offer birds some forage in winter. 

As you gather your fall bird garden essentials, consider all of this. Your intention guides your plan and sets the foundation for the design and the kinds of birds that benefit from your garden. 

Employ Integrated Approaches

Because many birds rely on insects for food, using integrated pest management in the garden is one of the other fall bird garden essentials. If you’re growing food, ensure the conditions in which your food crops grow are correct. Use barriers rather than chemicals to control pests. 

Set your plants up for the best possible growth, and prune infected and infested areas when necessary. Give fruit trees a good shaping in late winter or early spring to promote growth and prevent pests and diseases. A focus on prevention is key. 

If you must use pesticides, opt for OMRI-certified ones and use them sparingly. Birds are less likely to be around when pesticides are in heavy use. Systemic pesticides kill all the insects (even the good ones), eliminating one of your bird friends’ food sources. 

Use a Bird Feeder

Yes, the title of this piece is called Beyond Feeders, but feeders are a great supplemental tool. If you don’t have a chance to get your fall bird garden essentials together before the cold season sets in, a bird feeder helps! Even if you have managed to get those bird plants in the ground well before the first frost, bird seed is a nice supplement. 

Hummingbirds have a specialized style of feeder they like, as do crows and raptors. There are suet feeders, tube feeders, platforms, and house feeders (to name a few). Just as with houses, different species appreciate different feeder types. If you know which birds are most prevalent in your area, look for a feeder that suits them best.

Like your bird bath, feeders need to be refilled and cleaned regularly. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned and replenished at least every couple of days. Sanitize all feeder types with a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) every week. Keep the feeders stocked for a couple of days. Stay abreast of any avian diseases as they arise, and remove feeders as necessary to prevent spreading them. 

Choose the type of feed that meets the needs of local birds. Larger beaked birds like larger seeds and insects. Songbirds appreciate smaller seeds and mealworms. There are so many different types of seeds out there to purchase. Take some time to see what’s out there before you purchase anything.