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

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 12, 2026

September is when the migration of most songbirds peaks in Maine. On some nights, millions of birds pass overhead. This is also a time of great diversity, as shorebirds are still moving south, and some of the wintering ducks are just starting to arrive. It is an especially important time to take action to help birds, so here are four recommendations:
• Lights out
• Clean your bird feeders
• Plant native plants
• Keep cats indoors
• Bonus: Go birding
~ Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox