We’re passionate about birds and nature. That’s why we opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in our community.
25416 Crenshaw Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90505
Phone: (310) 326-2473
Email: Send Message
Store Hours:
Mon: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tues: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Wed - Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Additional Website:
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Part VII in a series of articles reviewing the art & science of feeding wild birds in the yard by owner Bob Shanman.
Here come the White-crown Sparrows, warblers, thrushes, shorebirds and more, meaning Fall migration is in full swing. This month's article is on Fall migration and the birds associated with it.
We have had reports of lingering orioles and tanagers through late September. On the September bird walk at Ballona Wetlands, we had a wide range of resident and migrant birds including the Common Loon, cormorants and pelicans, Royal Terns, Willets, turnstones, Whimbrels, Black Oystercatchers, Black-bellied Plovers, and a flock of Least Sandpipers numbering about 400 birds. Customers are reporting warblers in the area, including Townsend's, Yellow-rumped, Orange-crowned and Black-throated Grey. On September 10, the flock of White-crowns in San Pedro, Calif., was over 20 birds, though unusual in size it and early, was not the earliest recorded arrival.
By understanding what birds and when they are passing through, we can set up a few feeding strategies to attract them to our yards.
White-crowned Sparrows are ground feeders and a fall-winter favorite in the yard. A good field mark is their crown, it looks like a black and white bicycle helmet. The best way to attract them is to offer a diet rich in millet and/or sunflower chips. Since they are predominantly ground feeders, the best way to offer these seeds is on open trays or platforms no more than 2-3 feet above the ground. If shells are not an issue, use Deluxe Blend; if they are, use the No-Mess Blend. You can also offer millet alone in a tray. Other ground feeders, such as doves, other sparrows, and thrushes, may come to these trays as well.
Some customers have had success getting warblers to mealworm feeders. The boldest of the warblers is the Yellow-rumped, named for the bright yellow patch at the base of the tail. If you try for the warblers, we suggest hanging a small mealworm dish in a tree where you see the birds. Get it near a branch, so they are likely to see the worms moving in the dish. The moving is what attracts them.
Just a reminder to keep your hummingbird feeders fresh. During Santa Ana winds with hot temperatures change the feeders every other day. When the weather cools, go back to every 3-4 days. Feeders do not need to be full, unless they are the gravity-tube type.
Have fun, and keep records of who shows up when in your yard.
