August's to-do list

Goldfinches will hang upside down to reach seed

As the final month of summer begins, here are some reminders that will make your backyard birding experience more memorable.

Fill feeders the same time of day if you can. Birds will get to know your routine. Even odd sounds can become the birds' dinner bell. Our back door sticks and makes a loud noise when opened. It takes but a few moments for the robins and catbirds to arrive to feed on the new offering of raisins.

A good summer seed mix has a high percentage of black oil sunflower seeds, with a lesser percentage of while millet and the rest safflower, striped sunflower and shelled peanuts. That will give nearly every seed-eating songbird something to enjoy. Don't forget Nyjer seed. It's the favorite for goldfinches.

Clean hulls beneath feeders and replace with mulch.

Move suet feeders to the shade if possible to slow melting. Another option is to use "No-Melt" varieties. Most of the suet cakes we offer at The Bird House are of the summertime "No-Melt" variety. We switch back to regular suet once the cooler months arrive.

Give nectar feeders a weekly cleaning, especially around feeding ports. Refill anti-ant moats.

Blueberries still are in season and affordable. Freeze them (and other small fruits) for wintertime feeding. The birds will appreciate the treats when berries become scarcer.

Robins and a Flicker enjoy a drink

Bird baths are a good idea in August, an unpredictable month for rain. If you already have a bath, you can attract more birds if the bath is kept clean. Be sure to scrub the it free of algae. Use "Bird Bath Protector" to slow the growth of algae and other organic growths. Use a "Water Wiggler" to keep water moving. Birds will notice moving water and mosquito eggs won't hatch.

Purple coneflowers are past their prime. Soon they will shed their petals and the plants will turn to seed. Let the plants stand through the autumn and into winter. The seeds are a favorite of goldfinches. You'll enjoy seeing goldfinches perching to reach the seed.

Visit your local garden center. Many perennials are past their prime and are marked down for quick sale. They may look a little ragged now but they'll bounce back next spring. Don't be afraid of placing perennials and shrubs close together. The tight growth mimics nature. Birds will welcome shrubs in winter. They use them as shelter from winter winds and as roosting sites.