MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • October 15, 2023
The tide is turning and activity at bird feeders is picking up again. As dropping temperatures kill off the late flying insects, and fruit-bearing shrubs get picked over, birds will return to supplementing their diet with food from feeders. If you are still in a feeder bird drought, be patient! Take the opportunity to clean your feeders, especially your hummingbird feeder, and keep it up for a few more weeks. A common misconception about keeping hummingbird feeders up is that “it keeps them from migrating” but almost the exact opposite is true: it may be the last bit of fuel they need. ~ Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox