"How beautiful the leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days."— John Burroughs

Think of October as the changing of the guard for many backyard birds. Robins, catbirds, red-winged blackbirds, phoebes and hummingbirds are heading out or passing through. Juncos, white-throated sparrows and tree sparrows will soon be headed here from points north, with — if we're lucky — redpolls and pine siskins not too far behind. After the leaves fall, young red-tailed hawks will take to their favorite hunting perches in the tall trees that line our interstates.