One fall evening, just around dusk, I looked up through my living room window and there he was.
A gorgeous male Hooded Warbler, sitting right on my front porch railing!
I'd never seen one before, and I certainly wasn't expecting one on my porch. But that's one of the things I love most about fall migration. You never know who might show up!
And here's something fascinating: The everyday birds you attract to your backyard could help you discover some of fall migration's most exciting visitors.
Why Your Chickadees Might Have Some Unexpected Company
This beautiful Black-throated Green Warbler was photographed by Happy Birdwatcher customer Tamara in her Dunlap, Tennessee backyard.
During fall migration, many warblers and other songbirds travel south toward their wintering grounds. Along the way, some join mixed-species groups that include familiar backyard birds like chickadees and titmice.
These groups often move through trees and shrubs together, searching for food.
That means the next time you see chickadees bouncing through the branches, take a closer look. There might be a warbler, kinglet, or another unfamiliar bird traveling nearby!
And that's one more reason to keep your regular backyard birds coming back.
When your feeders are filled and your yard is welcoming, you'll have more opportunities to watch familiar birds and discover who's moving through the trees with them.
You can't guarantee a migrating warbler will visit, but you can make sure your backyard is ready for whatever October brings.
Here are five ways to do just that.
1. Keep Your Feeders Filled With Quality Birdseed
If you want an active backyard during fall migration, start with the birds you already know and love.
Chickadees, titmice, cardinals, finches, and nuthatches are all wonderful reasons to keep your feeders stocked with fresh, quality birdseed.
Offering a reliable food source encourages your regular visitors to return. And when you're accustomed to watching their activity, you're more likely to notice something unusual moving through the same trees.
For year-round feeding, our Starter HappySeed Box includes 10 pounds of premium Everyday Wild Bird Food customized for the birds in your area.
If you'd like to offer more variety, our Simply Seeds HappySeed Box combines Everyday Wild Bird Food with a specialty blend.
My tip: Watch where your chickadees go after leaving the feeder. Follow their movements into the branches. You might discover they're sharing the trees with someone unexpected!
2. Put Out Suet for Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, and Chickadees
October is a wonderful time to offer suet, especially as temperatures begin to cool.
Suet provides concentrated energy, making it an appealing food for many backyard birds.
Some birds that commonly enjoy suet include:
- Downy Woodpeckers
- Hairy Woodpeckers
- White-breasted Nuthatches
- Black-capped Chickadees
- Carolina Wrens
- Tufted Titmice
And here's another interesting fact: Some warblers, especially Pine Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers, may also visit suet feeders!
Our Peanut Crunch Suet Cakes provide a high-energy treat made with simple ingredients.
Pair them with our Recycled Suet Feeder with Tail Prop, designed to give woodpeckers a comfortable place to feed.
You can also try our Recycled Suet Feeder with Perch, which accommodates both clinging birds and visitors that prefer to perch.
My tip: Place your suet feeder near trees or shrubs where birds can perch before approaching. And watch those surrounding branches! You never know what else might be moving through them.
3. Keep Your Birdbath Clean and Full
Here's something that surprises many backyard birdwatchers.
Some of the most beautiful birds passing through your yard during migration may never visit your seed feeders.
Most warblers primarily eat insects. They search leaves and branches for food rather than sunflower seeds.
But they still need water!
A clean birdbath can provide drinking and bathing opportunities for warblers, thrushes, and other migrating songbirds.
To make your birdbath more inviting:
- Change the water regularly, preferably daily.
- Scrub away algae and debris.
- Make sure the water is shallow, ideally 1-2 inches deep.
- Place it near protective vegetation, but keep predators in mind.
- Keep the water fresh even as the weather cools.
One of my favorite little birdbath helpers is our Pure Copper Bird Bath Disc.
It's made from 99.9% pure American copper and helps slow algae growth between cleanings. You'll still need to change the water and clean the bath regularly, but the disc can help make maintenance easier.
Remember: An empty feeder might mean missing your regular visitors, but an empty birdbath could mean missing an entirely different group of birds!
4. Don't Clean Up Every Fallen Leaf
This one might be the easiest October birdwatching tip of all.
Leave a few things alone!
Many migrating songbirds depend on insects and other small invertebrates for food.
And where do those insects live?
Among native plants, shrubs, trees, fallen leaves, and other natural areas in your yard.
When we remove every fallen leaf, cut back every plant, and tidy away every bit of vegetation, we can also remove valuable habitat for the very insects these birds need.
Try leaving some leaves beneath shrubs, allowing native plants to stand through fall, and keeping natural areas where birds can forage.
You don't need an overgrown yard. Even a small patch of bird-friendly habitat can make a difference.
And the birds will appreciate it long after fall migration ends.
5. Follow Your Chickadees Into the Trees
This is my favorite tip, and it doesn't cost a penny!
When you see chickadees arriving at your feeders, spend a few minutes observing what happens next.
Don't just watch them eat. Watch where they go.
Are they moving through the trees with titmice? Do you hear other little birds calling? Is there movement among the leaves that doesn't quite look like your usual visitors?
Mixed-species bird groups can be fascinating to observe.
You might spot a kinglet, a migrating warbler, or another bird you don't ordinarily see in your backyard.
Sometimes you'll recognize the visitor immediately. Other times, you'll be reaching for your binoculars or scrambling to take a photograph so you can identify it later.
That's part of the fun!
And while you may not see an unusual visitor every day, keeping your yard welcoming to your regular birds gives you more opportunities to notice those special encounters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Bird Feeding and Migration
Do migrating warblers travel with chickadees?
Yes. Some migrating warblers join mixed-species foraging groups that include chickadees, titmice, and other small songbirds. These birds may search for insects in the same trees, making chickadee activity a useful clue for birdwatchers.
How can I attract more birds to my yard during fall migration?
Offer fresh birdseed for familiar backyard birds, provide suet, maintain a clean birdbath, and preserve native plants that support insects. Watch nearby trees and shrubs for migrating songbirds that may never visit your feeders.
Do warblers eat birdseed?
Most warblers primarily eat insects and don't regularly visit seed feeders. However, some species, including Pine Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers, may occasionally eat suet or other foods offered at feeders.
Is suet good for birds in October?
Yes. Suet provides a concentrated source of energy for birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and titmice. It's especially useful as temperatures cool, although birds may enjoy it throughout the year.
Do birdbaths attract migrating birds?
Yes! Fresh, clean water can attract migrating songbirds, including insect-eating species that rarely visit seed feeders. Providing shallow water and regularly cleaning your birdbath can help make your backyard more inviting.
When is fall bird migration?
Fall migration generally occurs from late summer through autumn, with timing varying by species and location. Many warblers migrate earlier in the season, while other songbirds continue moving through October and beyond. The birds you might see depend on where you live.
Don't Miss the Magic of Fall Migration!
I'll never forget the evening that beautiful Hooded Warbler appeared on my front porch railing.
It was completely unexpected. And that's what makes backyard birdwatching so much fun.
Some of the most memorable birds are the ones you weren't looking for.
So keep your feeders filled, offer suet, refresh your birdbath, and pay attention to the birds moving through your trees.
The birds you welcome every day just might lead you to the most exciting bird you'll see all fall!
I've gathered some of my favorite birdseed, suet, feeders, and backyard essentials to help you make the most of the season.