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BACKYARD SECRET – GLYCERIN SHOULD NOT BE ADDED TO BIRDBATH WATER TO KEEP IT FROM FREEEZING
Over the years, people have tried a number of ways to keep the water in birdbaths from freezing. One the such technique is to use glycerin as an antifreeze; this practice should be avoided. If a bird drinks water treated with glycerin, the chemical can raise the amount of blood sugar in its body to dangerous levels. In addition, glycerin can mat the birds’ feathers together. This can be harmful as the matting can adversely reduce a bird’s feathers ability to insulate its body against the cold.
NORTHERN FLICKER ROOSTING SITES
It is very difficult to attract northern flickers to Georgia backyards; however, it can be done. One of the best ways is provide roost sites for these large birds. For example, leave dead trees in which large holes have been excavated or enlarged by squirrels and cavity nesting birds.
Flickers also roost in barred owl nest boxes. If you see a flicker enter an owl-nesting box, do not be discouraged if it 
does not return the next evening. It seems that male northern flickers tend to roost in different location each night. These roosting sites are usually located within a half-mile square area. If roosting cavities are scarce in your neighborhood, the bird may return sooner than later.
Friends of mine find flickers roosting in wood duck boxes during the winter. They have noted that flickers tend to enter the boxes earlier in the afternoon than do the other birds that also roost in boxes. The flickers that show up at their wood duck boxes often arrive well before the sun drops below the horizon.
Northern flickers will also roost in variety of odd locations such as under bridges. They will also use our homes as roosting sites. For example, they will sometimes roost on the sides and eaves of buildings, and even inside chimneys.
If you have seen northern flickers in your, I would love to hear about it.
BACKYARD SECRET – WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE MONARCHS IN GEORGIA DURING THEIR FALL MIGRATION?
The best time to catch a glimpse of fall migrating monarch butterflies is during the months of September and October. Records, however, suggest the greatest number of these butterflies pass through the state in mid-October.
With that in mind, if you want to see these large orange and black butterflies, spend some time outside during the next few days.
Good luck!
WHERE ARE THE FEEDER BIRDS?
Every year when early October rolls around, people tell me that the number and variety of birds visiting their feeders and birdbaths has dropped off significantly. That always leads to question, “Where are they?” Depending on where you live, and whether not the habitat near your home has changed, and other factors, the reasons for a decline can vary from yard to yard. That being the case, I attribute the drop-in activity around most bird feeders to three things.
Many of the common migratory birds that inhabit our will shortly reach their winter homes. That alone can make a big dent in your backyard bird population. While many of these birds do not often visit seed feeders, they do frequently bathe and drink at birdbaths.
In late summer and early fall, the abundance of seeds produced by native plants is greater than it is at any other time of the year. As such they birds have an abundance of places where they can feed this provides them with lots of spots where they can dine elsewhere.
Another reason your backyard bird population is low is that for folks in most parts of Georgia, southbound migrants have not yet reached the Peach State. This is the case for white-throated sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, blackbirds, and others.
Another thing to consider is some of our permanent residents, such as the chipping sparrows have yet to form winter flocks. Consequently, if your yard is not in a chipping sparrow breeding territory, chances are you will have to wait awhile to see them in your yard.
The bottom line is be patient, if your feeding area is safe, feeders are stocked with variety of foods, and clean water is close by, I promise they will come; just be patient.
BACKYARD SECRET: MOTHS VISIT HUMMIMNGBIRD FEEDERS
Until a few nights ago I had never seen a moth visit a hummingbird feeder at night. Although I have spotted a few butterflies such as cloudless sulphurs and even a monarch briefly dining a hummingbird feeder but I have never spotted a moth engaged in this activity; here is what I saw.
A few nights ago, I took our family dog out. Just beyond our deck four hummingbirds hang from Shepard’s hooks. As I stood on the deck waiting to come back, a large fuzzy moth flew in and visited one of the feeders. It hovered above two of the feeding portals on one of the feeders; it remained there for several seconds. Since the moth visited the portal on the back side of the feeder, I did not actually see the moth extend its long proboscis into the feeder.
Supposedly, the moths that are most often reported visiting feeders are various sphinx moths. After watching these large moths feeding at late-blooming flowers it easy to see why they are sometimes mistaken for hummingbirds.
This surprising experience has left me wondering why I have never seen moths feeding at hummingbird feeders before. Perhaps it is because I rarely watch the feeders at night. This may be the reason why other folks also rarely see this fascinating behavior.
If you have been lucky enough to spot moths visiting your hummingbird feeders, please let me know.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO ATTRACT HERMIT THRUSHES TO YOUR YARD IN WINTER
One of the most difficult birds to attract to Georgia bird feeders during the winter is the hermit thrush. I have been trying to do so for years. In comparison, I have a good friend that hosts this handsome thrush most winters. Let’s explore some of the reasons why hermit thrushes avoid most of our yards.
Limited information suggests that hermit thrushes wintering in residential areas inhabit yards that have an abundance of vegetation and are adjacent to wooded areas. Berries are the hermit thrush’s primary winter food, consequently yards and nearby woodlands that have trees and shrubs that bear fruits and berries that persist in the winter, are more likely to be used by hermit thrushes than those without them.
Some the best sources of the thrush’s winter food include cedars, junipers, pokeberry, native hollies, hackberries, grapes, and mistletoe. While fruits and berries are the hermit thrush’s favorite foods, they will eat insects found in leaf litter. Consequently, leave dried leaves beneath your trees and shrubs.
Blog follower, Ron Lee attracts Hermit Thrush
Hermit thrushes will feed at elevated feeders. However, they prefer to eat food found on the ground. The birds will dine on dried fruits, mixed seeds, suet, and bird puddings.
Ron Lee has attracted more hermit thrushes than anybody I know. He is convinced that his success attracting these secretive birds is his wife Jennie’s cornbread. The birds love it so much they will appear out of nowhere whenever he goes outside to feed them. Some hermit thrushes like it so much, they will feed at his feed while he is scattering food.
Hermit thrushes will often visit bird baths and avoid food.
Hermit thrushes will join roaming flock’s kinglets, chickadees, and other birds. With that in mind, closely study any of these flocks that pass through your yard.
With a little good fortune, perhaps a hermit thrush will find its way to your backyard this winter.
DO NOT TAKE HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS DOWN
When I began working with hummingbirds more than 40 years ago, it was a common practice for Georgians to take down their hummingbird feeders in September; this was done because many folks subscribed to the popular belief that, if you left your feeders up past August, you would entice the birds not to migrate. We now know that hummingbirds migrate due to declining day length and not the availability of food. As the days become shorter, ruby-throated hummingbirds begin storing fat the fuel needed to complete their long migration. When it is time for them to leave, abundance of nectar-bearing flowers and hummingbird feeders stocked with sugar water cannot keep them from making this epic trip.
If you keep your feeders up, you will help provide late migrants with a much-needed source of food. In addition, it gives you the chance of having your feeders visited by a western hummingbird. The hummer you are most likely to see in Georgia from November through February is the rufous.
TAKE PART IN THE GREAT SOUTHEAST POLLINATOR CENSUS
In 2019, the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension Service launched The Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Since that time, the census has been adopted in the states of North Carolina, Florida, and South Carolina.
This year marks the seventh anniversary of this citizen science-based wildlife service. During the past six years, the number of participants has grown from more than 4,000 participants in the inaugural count to more than 18,000 in 2025.
The scientists that are spearheading this initiative have three goals. One goal is to enhance public awareness of the wide variety of pollinators that live in this part of the world. The second goal is the encourage the public to maintain and create pollinator habitats. In addition, the efforts of thousands of volunteers will help develop a database that can be used to identify and monitor pollinator populations.
The 2025 Great Southeast Pollinator Census will be staged August 22-23.
Volunteers are asked to identify and count the number of pollinators they see visiting a pollen-bearing plant of their choice during a 15-minute period.
Census takers separate the insects they see into eight categories (carpenter bees, bumblebees, honeybees, small bees, wasps, flies, butterflies/moths, and other insects.
Fortunately, you do not have to be an expert entomologist to perform this task. The reason for this the count coordinators provide each participant a full color guide that makes separating the insects into the proper categories easy.
If you think you would like to join the Georgia Count Team, go online to the Great Southeast Pollinator website. There you will find all you need to know about the survey as well as survey forms and the insect identification guide.
Check it out. It is a great way to serve as a citizen scientist.
WHAT CRITTERS EAT SUET AT NIGHT?
If you feed suet to the birds that visit your backyard feeders, there is a chance when you make your morning check of your feeders, you will find that your suet was eaten by some critter during the night. If this occurs, you will undoubtedly scratch your head trying to come up with the name of the nighttime raider.
You know the culprit is not a songbird or even a crow since these birds are not active at night. In rare cases, the nocturnal raider may be a barred owl. Yes, there have been a handful of reports of barred owls visiting suet feeders. Apparently, the chance of this occurring is greater if rodents are visiting your feeding area to dine on seed scattered on the ground.
