Fall can be a challenging time for identifying some of Tennessee's bird species. Many have molted from those brilliant breeding colors into more muted tones and the young haven't fully molted into their full colors. Its also a time of 'lapover'...that time of year when neotropical migrants are still around and our winter visitors are arriving. Watch for a good variety of species when you're out and about.

Additionally with the arrival of fall we contemplate cleaning out our gardens and getting them ready for spring. But let's remember to leave the seed pods and seed heads for the sparrows and other seed eating birds. It is a good nature resource. Also remember that any 'hollow' stemmed plants like salvia need to remain until the last of the frost has past in the spring or water will get into the hollow stems and freeze the root killing the plants. So be sure to check that out as well.

It's also 'winter hummingbird' season. Time to consider leaving out one hummingbird feeder for the rest of the winter. Put it where you look first thing in the morning or last thing at night...for that's when you're likely to see a 'winter' visitor IF you are lucky enough to get one!! From now until 15 March if you have a hummingbird at your feeder I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!

So what should you do first? Try and get a picture or a video of the hummingbird...as close and as clear as you can. Then email them to me at routledges@bellsouth.net. I'll take then in turn contact you about coming out and capturing your hummer and banding it for our ongoing collaborative winter hummingbird research. If you'd like more information on this project check out https://southeasternavianresearch.org/hummingbirds/

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you encounter a sick bird please report it to the link below. If you encounter an injured bird please contact your nearest rehabber. Please continue weekly maintenaince on your seed feeders. Anytime birds artificially gather together to feed there is always the chance of transmission of disease so cleanliness is essential. If you encounter sick or dead birds here's the link to TWRA at: Sick Birds

That same site should also have the most up-to-date information on bird flu and help guide you to doing what's best for our feathered friends.