A spacious backyard, fresh water sources, and native plants are perfect for bringing birds to your yard, but if you really want to make your space a magnet for avian companions, setting out a bird feeder is a reliable way to attract all sorts of interesting native birds. But there’s also a time of year your bird feeder is most helpful to birds, and that’s typically during late winter and early spring. In winter, some birds may struggle to find enough food for themselves, and will come to your feeder for help. Early in the spring, birds may still not be finding enough seeds or insects on the ground, so your feeder will be especially useful.

However, during late spring and summer, birds have plenty of other food options to choose from, so having a feeder up is no longer necessary. You can leave your bird feeder up if you wish, or take it down to encourage your local birds to hunt for food on their own. During this time, you can refocus your efforts on your hummingbird feeders, because these small feathered friends in particular will still appreciate the extra nectar.

The timing of your bird feeders is important because feeders have a big impact on helping local birds survive the winter. In late spring and throughout summer, fruits, seeds, and insects abound, so birds have plenty of food sources they can turn to besides bird feeders. In autumn, they will continue enjoying berries and seeds, but winter is when these natural resources start to become scarce. Keeping your bird feeder full during winter months will give birds a reliable food source they can lean on. Though some migratory birds will have flown south for the winter, you might actually see your bird feeder activity increase during the colder months.

Your feeder contents matter too. If you’re using the same seed blend year-round, your bird feeder might not be properly stocked based on the seasons. Aim for high-fat foods like sunflower, suet, and nuts throughout winter, transitioning to lighter fare by late spring.

As you continue to keep your bird feeders filled through early spring, you’re also helping birds who need to migrate back up north during the spring season. Birds change their feeding patterns before they migrate in an effort to gain more energy for their journey. The extra weight that they gain at your feeder during spring will help them migrate without needing to constantly stop for food. Of course, some bird feeders will follow other timing patterns. Spring and early summer is the best time of year to bring hummingbird feeders out of storage and fuel these tiny birds on their journey north.