Tips for October bird-watching

White-crowned Sparrow arrive in October

Another transitional season is underway. Chipping Sparrows, Gray Catbirds, Scarlet Tanagers and most warblers have left. Dark-eyed Juncos, and White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows are arriving, and we may see Pine Siskins soon.

Cardinals, chickadees, Tufted Titmice, House Sparrows, nuthatches, House Finches and Goldfinches, Carolina Wrens, Mourning Doves, and Blue Jays stay for the winter.

Water is crucial during this period for all birds and especially migrating birds. As always, keep water shallow, no more than 2 inches deep, to encourage small birds. Remember, a clean bird is a warm bird. Consider a heated bath or a heater for the bath so water won't freeze overnight.

You probably have seen Goldfinches or House Finches hanging onto cornflowers, black-eyed susans, cosmos and sunflowers. You may also see juncos, towhees and sparrows scratching at leaves looking for insects and fallen seeds. 

Song Sparrows stay the entire year

This is the time of year to increase millet in your seed mixture for juncos and sparrows. A good mixture for the fall is 50 percent black oil sunflower, 40 to 45 percent white millet and 5 percent to 10 percent white millet, safflower, striped sunflower or shelled peanuts. 

Cold weather increases the need for more calories to stay warm. It is a good idea to refill feeders in the late afternoon or evening as well as early morning to give the birds a boost of energy before or after the cold night.

Add suet to your feeding regimen for woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and Carolina Wrens.

Are your feeders clean? We've had weather and we've had hot weather in September. Both can create mold and bacteria in the feeders. A good cleaning with mild dish soap, followed by a lot of rinsing and air-drying in the sun will benefit the birds.

Bird houses can be cleaned out and a 1-inch later of wood shavings placed in the house. On cold nights birds may huddle together for warmth.