4 tips, and a bonus suggestion, to help birds as they migrate

Maine Residents Can Help Birds During September’s Migration Surge

September is the month when Maine’s skies fill with songbirds, shorebirds, and the first winter ducks. For many of the state’s residents, this means nights when millions of birds pass overhead, and the risk of collisions and starvation rises. A group of local conservation organizations, including Maine Audubon and the Maine Native Plants Society, has issued a set of practical steps that homeowners can take to make a difference.

Turn Off Exterior Lights

Birds that fly at night are drawn to bright lights, which can disorient them and increase the likelihood of crashing into buildings. The Maine Audubon network recommends simply shutting off all outdoor lights during nights predicted to have high migration activity.

The organization’s BirdCast website (birdcast.org) uses the same weather radar that tracks rain to detect bird movements. By signing up for email alerts for a particular city, residents can learn when a large number of birds will be flying overhead and turn their lights off accordingly. Besides protecting birds, dimming lights also helps local insects such as moths, which serve as food for many of the night‑flying species.

Keep Bird Feeders Clean

After the summer’s abundance of wild fruits and seeds, many feeders sit idle, but as these natural foods are harvested, the remaining seed becomes increasingly attractive to birds. Maine Audubon urges homeowners to clean feeders regularly, especially in late summer and early fall, to prevent bacterial buildup and to keep the seed fresh.

The recommended cleanup routine involves rinsing the feeder with a diluted bleach solution or vinegar and scrubbing any residue away. Once the feeder is dry, new seed can be added. “If you wouldn’t eat off it, the birds shouldn’t,” the organization notes, emphasizing the importance of hygiene for both birds and humans.

Plant Native Species

While seed feeders are a quick way to feed birds, planting native flora offers longer‑term benefits. Native plants support local insects, which in turn provide food for the next generation of birds. Fall is an ideal time to plant, with many species ready for transplant before winter.

One such plant, arrowwood viburnum, is already being plucked by waxwings, catbirds, and flycatchers. The Maine Native Plants Society encourages residents to choose species that fit their yard’s conditions by visiting mainenativeplants.org. A special Native Plants Sale, run by Maine Audubon, is open through mid‑October and offers a variety of species for purchase.

Keep Cats Indoors

Cat predation is the leading human-caused threat to birds, responsible for more than two billion bird deaths each year in the United States. The Maine Audubon staff stresses that even well‑fed, indoor cats instinctively hunt when they encounter prey. By keeping cats indoors, owners not only protect local bird populations but also reduce their cats’ exposure to traffic, predators, and disease.

“Outdoor cats are the No. 1 anthropogenic cause of mortality in birds,” the organization says, urging cat owners to take this responsibility seriously.

Get Out and Observe

Birding enthusiasts can use BirdCast to identify nights when a large number of migrants will be visible. Local land trusts and nature preserves often showcase native plantings and can serve as ideal observation points. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s free Merlin app lets users identify birds by sound or appearance, while eBird (ebird.org) provides a platform to report sightings.

Maine Audubon also hosts free weekly bird walks at its Gilsland Farm Audubon Sanctuary in Falmouth. Naturalist Doug Hitchcox leads the Thursday mornings starting at 8 a.m., inviting anyone interested in learning more about local bird species and their habitats.

Why It Matters

Since 1970, the United States has lost a quarter of its bird populations, a trend that raises alarm among conservationists. Each of the steps listed above can help mitigate some of the pressures that birds face during the critical migration period.

“We’re losing one in four birds in North America since 1970,” says a Maine Audubon spokesperson. “The actions we recommend—turning off lights, cleaning feeders, planting native species, keeping cats indoors—are relatively easy for homeowners to implement but can have a meaningful impact.”

How to Learn More

For questions about wildlife beyond birds, contact Maine Audubon by email at [email protected] or visit www.maineaudubon.org. The organization also offers programs and events focused on Maine wildlife and habitat, including the weekly bird walks led by Doug Hitchcox and other naturalists.

By making a few simple changes, Maine residents can help ensure that the skies remain safe and welcoming for the thousands of birds that pass through each September.