BACKYARD BIRD HAVEN SEPTEMBER 2026
BIRDSEED SECRETS
Match the food to the feeder.
Use this as a starting point. Keep a record of what birds actually eat in your space.
FOOD WHY CHOOSE IT SERVE IT IN
Black oil sunflower A versatile starting seed. Thin shells and Tube, hopper or tray. [4]
oil-rich kernels. [4]
Striped sunflower Thicker shells than black oil sunflower. [4] Hopper or tray. [4]
Nyjer Tiny seed eaten by American Goldfinches Small-port tube or fine
and Pine Siskins; not native thistle seed. [4] mesh. [5]
White proso millet Favored by many ground-feeding sparrows, Low tray with good
doves, towhees and juncos. [4] drainage. [4]
Peanuts Used by jays, chickadees, titmice and Match feeder openings to
woodpeckers. Keep dry; discard spoiled the food. [5]
food. [4]
Safflower A cardinal option, but not a dependable Tray or hopper. [4]
squirrel deterrent. [4]
BUY A SMALL BAG FIRST
Our suggestion: try one food, note what gets eaten, and adjust the amount before buying in bulk.
Bird visits are never guaranteed.
NORTHEAST / MID-ATLANTIC 03
Your first 30 days
One change you can keep.
Days 1–10Learn your view.
Return to one spot. Record birds, plants, weather and questions.
Days 11–20Solve one problem.
Clean a feeder, review a water setup, or identify a plant.
Days 21–30Make one decision.
Act on what you learned. Set a date to look again.
BACKYARD BIRD HAVEN SEPTEMBER 2026
YOUR FIRST 30 DAYS
One change you can keep.
Begin whenever you download this guide. The schedule supports a habit, not a promised
arrival date.
Days 1-10 / Learn your view
01 Pick a comfortable observation point. Make three short visits. Record birds,
plants, weather and unanswered questions. A visit with no birds still belongs in
the notebook.
Days 11-20 / Solve one problem
02 Choose a practical task: clean an existing feeder, review a water setup, or
identify a plant. If shopping, check dimensions and care requirements before
choosing equipment.
Days 21-30 / Make one decision
03 Act on what you learned. Plan a suitable planting, adjust a care routine, or switch
off an unnecessary light. Return to your observation point and record what
changes.
MY ONE ACTION + A DATE TO REVISIT IT
TIME, BUDGET OR HELP I WILL NEED
NORTHEAST / MID-ATLANTIC 08
BACKYARD BIRD HAVEN SEPTEMBER 2026
PRINTABLE OBSERVATION PAGE
Describe it before you explain it.
Use this page more than once. These are personal field notes, not a standardized survey.
DATE / TIME / DURATION
TOWN / OBSERVATION POINT / WEATHER
WHAT I SAW OR HEARD
IDENTIFICATION / CERTAIN, TENTATIVE OR UNKNOWN
WHAT THE BIRD WAS DOING
NEXT TIME, I WANT TO LOOK FOR...
NORTHEAST / MID-ATLANTIC 09
