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Today’s Forecast

76º | 83% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:04 a.m. | Sunset 6:53 p.m.
 

🐦‍⬛ Feed some local birds this fall

Feed Richmond birds
A cardinal perched on a seed feeder.
When you have guests, you feed them. It’s only polite. | Joe Myers via Wikimedia Commons
Our local skies house everything from robins to blue jays. So how can you invite them to your garden?

Feed them, of course. Let’s fly through some need-to-knows to keep you popular with the local birds.

🪶 Feeder types

There are three basic types of feeders: seed, suet, and nectar.
  • Seed feeders are the most versatile. Black-oil sunflower seeds appeal to the greatest number of birds, according to the Audubon Guide to Bird Feeding. They’ve also got homemade recipes that everyone will be chirping about.
  • Suet (or beef fat) is a high-energy treat for bug eaters, and you can make a DIY feeder from an onion bag. Be warned: Warmer weather turns suet cakes rancid, which keeps birds away.
  • Nectar feeders give hummingbirds and orioles a sweet treat. Opt for a low-capacity feeder to make sure you’re cleaning it regularly.
Browse Wild Birds Unlimited to get a feel for the different types. Then, mix and match to make your home the flock of the town.

🪶 The perfect setup

You want to give songbirds an easy meal, so set up the perfect perch.

The magic numbers for a feeder pole are 30 feet from any windows and 10 feet from cover, particularly native plant cover. In fact, you can even spruce up your garden with bird-friendly plants.

🪶 Maintenance

Monitoring your feeders is key to keeping the local ecosystem healthy. Clean seed feeders every two weeks, and keep an eye out after rain.

To avoid avian diseases (and connect with other birders), keep tabs on the local Audubon Society. Call the VA Dept. of Wildlife Resources and take down your feeders if something seems amiss.

Two birds of prey in flight, seen from below

Birds of prey like raptors, hawks, and osprey can be found along the James River and in the forests of Shenandoah National Park.

|

Photo via Virginia State Parks

🪶 Start exploring

Having fun? Now it’s time to leave the nest.

Learn more about local birds by going on guided bird walks with groups like the Richmond Audobon Society or the Feminist Bird Club.

You can also hone your aviary expertise in parks around the city, then take that knowledge back home. Just head out for a hike and keep a guide handy.
Quiz

As of 2023, how many species of birds have been observed in Virginia?
A. 237
B. 490
C. 922
D. 1,483
Take a guess
Virginia Lottery
 
Events
Monday, Sept. 30
  • Grand Closing Party | Monday, Sept. 30 | 7 p.m. | SCRAP Creative Reuse | $10 | Help SCRAP say goodbye to its old space with a party, variety show, auction, and runway competition.
Tuesday, Oct. 1
  • GRTC Pulse Western Extension Open House | Tuesday, Oct. 1 | 5-7 p.m. | HCPL Libbie Mill Branch | Free | Learn more about the four-mile extension of the bus rapid transit line and speak with staff about station locations and walkability.
  • VCU Men’s Soccer vs. American | Tuesday, Oct. 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Striker Park, Glen Allen | Free | The Rams face the Eagles for a game in Henrico.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
  • Dominion Energy Jazz Café | Wednesday, Oct. 2 | 6-8 p.m. | Virginia Museum of Fine Arts | Free | Head to the atrium to enjoy some post-work tunes.
Thursday, Oct. 3
  • Music at Maymont: My Morning Jacket | Thursday, Oct. 3 | 6 p.m. | Maymont | $45+ | Rock out with this Louisville band and special guest Jade Bird.
  • Mason Ramsey | Thursday, Oct. 3 | 7 p.m. | The Broadberry | $20 | The viral young yodeller is on tour with Halle Kearns.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Shop
  • SwapMeet RVA is branching out. In addition to the Main Street Station meetups, the local vintage market will begin hosting events in the Science Museum of Virginia’s Dewey Gottwald lot. The first market in this location will be on Sunday, Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Coming Soon
  • The retail space in Cary Court formerly occupied by Richmond Camera will soon become a Warby Parker. The prescription eyeglass company plans to open sometime next year. (Richmond BizSense)
Traffic
  • Richmond-area commuter traffic is finally returning to pre-pandemic numbers. Toll data from the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority has daily traffic at about 97% of what it was in 2019. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Development
  • The Hanover Board of Supervisors unanimously voted down a proposed solar farm last week. The project would have required that about 1,500 acres of land to be rezoned. (VPM)
Travel
  • From art galleries and historical sites to chef-owned restaurants and craft breweries, Fredericksburg — just 1 hour from Richmond — has plenty of things to see + do. Find your way around.*
Plan Ahead
Listen
  • Ready to silence the chaos and hear what matters? These next-gen hearing aids are here to crush the noise and put you back in control. With razor-sharp sound and a stealthy design, they’re your little secret. Hear the difference.*
Finance
  • Rates just dropped. Now could be the perfect time for you to tap into your home equity — calculate your payment.*
 
Asked

Let’s shake it up

In search of the best milkshakes in Richmond
RIC spotty dog milkshake
Ice cream shops are a great place to grab a shake, but they’re not the only option. | Photo by RICtoday
Summer might be over, but don’t let cooler weather get you down — if you ask us, ice cream is a year-round treat.

It’s no secret that Richmond’s got ice cream options galore, but we want to hear your go-tos for local milkshakes. Whether it’s an ice cream parlor, a sit-down diner, or a bar with a sweet tooth, we want the scoop on River City shakes.
Send us your picks
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More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
David
From the editor
Pro tip: Bird feeders aren’t just fun for humans and birds. If you have an indoor cat, a bird feeder attached to the outside of your window can provide countless hours of entertainment for your furry friend. Just ask my cat Poncho.
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