 Thank you to Sharron Cochran for providing another tip of the month for November! It’s time to disconnect your garden hoses, empty them and store in a garage or basement. Turn off the inside valves for your hose bibs and then open the faucets outside and leave for the winter. In spring, you will do the reverse - first turn off the outside faucets, then open the inside valves. Thank you to member, Ann Swett, for providing our October Tip of the Month.  In the still of a winter day, it is great fun to see a variety of birds flocking to feeders outside the window. A brilliant red cardinal against a snowy backdrop is stunning.
When fall’s berries are gone, it is helpful to those birds that winter over and those that stop by on their migration routes to have readily available sources of good seed. In Maryland, naturalists recommend leaving out hummingbird feeders until early or mid-October, while other feeders can remain up throughout the year. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers a detailed look at types of seed and feeders. The Audubon Society gives a calendar, explaining how to attract birds to your garden throughout the year. Additionally, autumn is an ideal time to plant new native shrubs and trees that can provide useful berries and seeds for birds later in the year. Although it is a messy task, routine cleaning of feeders and birdbaths is necessary to prevent the spread of diseases affecting birds. The Audubon Society provides useful information on the methods for cleaning. Happy bird watching! Image source: https://www.audubonpark.com/blog/wintertime-for-wild-birds |
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