Save yourself time in the flowerbed by NOT dead-heading flowers. Birds will feed on the seeds of flower heads such as coneflowers, tall marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, coreopsis and sunflowers. Leaving the plant material for the winter also provides protection for birds. Place various types of feeders and food in your yard. Birds will not only dine on the food you offer, but will also find over wintering garden pests quite tasty.
Chickadees love over-wintering aphids.
Place a shallow water dish two inches deep near bushes or overhanging branches. A slow dripping noise will help attract birds. The leaves will attract insects and provide food for foraging birds. Or place the leaves right in the garden to compost so that you will not have to move the decayed brown gold. You can easily turn in or mulch with the composted leaves right on the spot.