What’s the secret to attracting birds to your backyard this autumn?

It’s easy—turn your yard into a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat^® site!

Fall is a great time for bird-watching. Many birds are looking for an inviting place to stop over during their winter migration or even stay for the season.

Here are five helpful tips that are sure to have all the neighborhood birds “tweeting” about your yard this season:

Provide running water. Birds require water year-round. The sound of running water in a birdbath or pond will be heard by birds from some distance, draw them in for a drink, and possibly a quick dip as well.

Clean out birdhouses. Make necessary repairs to birdhouses in preparation for species that roost during fall and winter. In many areas, bluebirds, chickadees, nuthatches and winter wrens may take up nightly residence in birdhouses to keep warm and safe.

Create brush piles. Save your fall clippings of branches and twigs. Then, pile them in a corner of the yard to create cover for birds that prefer habitat on the ground—such as dark-eyed juncos, tree sparrows and white-throated sparrows.

Increase the number of feeders. In the cooler days of fall, birds increase their food consumption and will continue to do so as the temperature drops.

Plant evergreens. Planted near feeders and birdbaths, evergreens are perfect for providing cover for birds after deciduous trees lose their leaves.

Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat^® site in your own yard may seem like a small thing, but it makes a huge difference for birds and other neighborhood wildlife. In fact, you’ll be joining over 150,000 other sites across the country, protecting over 250,000 acres.