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#1 |
Fox
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Wisconsin
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I've always wondered what science might have to say about that. Here's a little food for thought that I found:
https://www.aldoleopold.org/post/win...ng-good-birds/
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. Age is a biological fact. Old is a state of mind. I will age, but I refuse to get old. |
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#2 | |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
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NEWisc,
Thank you for posting this. I have read before that if you love birds, don't feed them. It is nice to know that feeding them (especially in severe weather) tends to outweigh the negatives. Still, I try to be aware of the potential harm. This year, especially, I find myself putting out less seed...and trying to put it in various spots throughout the yard--mix it up a little. I know in past years, when the weather is more severe, I put out more--and I will continue to do so. When more birds show up, I'll begin putting out more and more to compensate for the numbers. I was also happy to read this: Quote:
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"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
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#3 |
Grub
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Thanks for sharing that article. Margaret Roach talks a lot about feeding birds as well in her podcast/website A Way To Garden. I can’t put out a feeder in my tiny Brooklyn garden because I now have a dog that barks at anything that climbs or flies into the garden. Yes, sometimes even a butterfly stupid dog. When I used to feed the birds I would get a surprising variety including woodpeckers.
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#4 |
Hippie Gardener
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Michigan
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Thanks for sharing that article. I still feed in winter, but not as much as I used to. I do it more for my enjoyment, I like to watch the activity at the feeders while I have my morning tea. I have a number of neighbors who feed year-round, so I don't think my feeders make much of a difference one way or another.
__________________
One with the earth, with the sky, one with everything in life. I believe it will start with conviction of the heart. ~Kenny Loggins~ |
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#5 |
Fox
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Wisconsin
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I think the article makes it possible to have your cake and eat it too! Feeding can help birds is certain situations, and you can enjoy seeing them (food for the human soul) at a feeder if the feeding is done with an understanding of the impact it can have on the birds.
I still feed suet (high protein type) and black oil sunflower seeds in the winter. I don't worry when the feeders run out, it's a chance for the birds to clean up the scraps. But I do make an effort to insure that food is available before and after a big storm. In the summer they are on their own. I've planted a lot of native plants to feed the native insect herbivores that they need for themselves and their offspring. Of course those insects feed a lot of other creatures too.
__________________
. Age is a biological fact. Old is a state of mind. I will age, but I refuse to get old. |
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#6 | |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
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__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
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#7 | |
Hippie Gardener
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Michigan
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The blue jays and woodpeckers love the whole peanuts, while the chickadees, nuthatches, cardinals, etc feast on the sunflower and shelled peanuts. And the flocks of goldfinch are a treat just outside my window at the thistle feeder. Winter only, here. In summer there is plenty of "live" and natural food in my yard....and I have neighbors that feed year-round.
__________________
One with the earth, with the sky, one with everything in life. I believe it will start with conviction of the heart. ~Kenny Loggins~ |
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#8 |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
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katjh,
Thanks for the reminder--in the last two or three years, I have put out the nyjer seed, too. I have seen more goldfinches in our yard even in the summer...I think I am starting to provide ideal habitat for them. ![]()
__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
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#9 |
Grub
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Brooklyn, NY
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#10 | |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
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I should include more photos. Pictures were always big here on WG. I think there were issues with uploading them...and them showing up upside-down, so I got away from doing it. I have found, though, if I edit the picture in any way and resave it, it shows up right-side-up. Usually, I just crop them. I will try to post more pictures. Martha, it seems like you have initiated a bit of a resurgence in posts. A lot of members seem to be coming out of the woodwork. I for one am making a concerted effort to post more; others seem to be, too. Thank you. I will close with an aerial shot of our 2 acres: ![]()
__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
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Tags |
bird, birds, feeding, good, winter |
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