10/20/2026
A Letter from Your Feeder Birds
Greetings from nature!
Have you noticed us around your yard a little more lately? The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting chilly, and we’ve got a lot to do before winter settles in. We thought we’d drop you a note to let you know what we’ve been up to.
Some of our summer friends have already packed up and headed south. Most of the hummingbirds left weeks ago, and the orioles are long gone too.
Don’t worry, though. Those of us who stay put all winter are still here, and some new faces are arriving from up north.
Keep an eye out for the juncos. Folks call them “snowbirds,” and once they show up, you know winter isn’t far behind!
The insects that fed us all summer are getting harder to find, so we’ve been busy fattening up for the cold. Every bit of extra weight helps us stay warm on those long, frosty nights.
Some of us are stashing food away for later, too. The chickadees, nuthatches, and blue jays have been hiding seeds and acorns all over the neighborhood. (If you see us grab a seed and fly off, we’re not being rude. We’re just saving it for a rainy day!)
You might also notice we look a little different. Many of us have molted into fresh feathers that will keep us cozy all winter.
The goldfinches have traded in their bright yellow for a more sensible olive-brown. Not as flashy, but much warmer.
Now that the wild food is running low, we’ll be counting on your feeders more and more. If you could start filling them all the way up again, we’d be so grateful.
Wild Birds Unlimited - Glen Mills, PA's Winter Blend and suet are our favorites this time of year, since they give us the energy we need to make it through cold nights.
And a quick cleaning of the feeders before the busy season would be lovely!
About that birdbath: we hope you’ll keep it open all winter. Finding unfrozen water is one of the hardest parts of the cold months for us. A heated birdbath would be a dream come true!
One more thing. Before you tidy up the garden, consider leaving some of those flower seedheads standing and a few piles of leaves and brush. They give us snacks, places to hunt for hidden bugs, and shelter when the wind starts howling.
Thanks for always looking out for us. We’ll be seeing a lot more of you this winter, so keep the coffee on and watch for us outside your window!
Love,
Your Favorite Birds
PS: Thanks again for keeping those kitties indoors. We’ll be spending lots of time on the ground under the feeders this winter, and we’d rather not have any surprise visitors!