topic Re: I don't think we should do this in Community Chat

I don't think we should do this

GoneButNotForgotten — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:39:04 GMT

It think it's a bad idea to leave out birdfeeders in the winter. Why? because it can seriously disrupt migration patterns. Birds that would normally fly south (or somewhere) will hang around if they have a food source in the winter. Some will freeze to death and others will not go to their usual mating grounds and therefore, not reproduce.

Re: I don't think we should do this

Krimpette — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:41:07 GMT

I always heard that winter was the more important time to feed the birds, since not all birds head south.

Re: I don't think we should do this

Anonymous032819 — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:44:10 GMT

There are some birds that don't migrate and hang around all winter.

Cardinals, come to mind.

Re: I don't think we should do this

HLP — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:46:08 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten wrote:
It think it's a bad idea to leave out birdfeeders in the winter. Why? because it can seriously disrupt migration patterns. Birds that would normally fly south (or somewhere) will hang around if they have a food source in the winter. Some will freeze to death and others will not go to their usual mating grounds and therefore, not reproduce.

I don't know of any birds that hang around after it's time to leave. My hummingbirds left the second week of October, as they do here every year.The robins are gone, and all I have are winter birds, same as every year. We feed here all winter, with food for woodpeckers and squirrel and all the regulars.

Re: I don't think we should do this

KingstonsMom — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:47:18 GMT

I'm in the deep south and I feed all year round, especially in winter when bugs, berries, etc. aren't as readily available for them.

We raise bluebirds, at least 15 babies every year, but all of our birds enjoy having food available in winter.

Re: I don't think we should do this

Anonymous032819 — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:48:55 GMT

I live in an area where Canadian Geese spend their winters.

They start arriving in early fall, and stay until late spring.

Such beautiful birds.

Re: I don't think we should do this

HLP — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:49:36 GMT

@Anonymous032819 wrote:
There are some birds that don't migrate and hang around all winter.

Cardinals, come to mind.

They are here all summer and have their babies, I see them all the time. Don't know what the above is talking about.

Re: I don't think we should do this

happycat — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:51:09 GMT

I have been feeding the birds for years, here the robins always leave and the snow birds always come. And there are bluejays and cardinals all year long. Right now all the birds seem to be eating acorns and bugs. They aren't very interested in bird seed.

Re: I don't think we should do this

GoneButNotForgotten — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:51:46 GMT

@Anonymous032819 wrote:
I live in an area where Canadian Geese spend their winters.

I'm sorry but I hate Canadian Geese. In the NW they're nothing but pests: they eat all your grass and leave nothing but tremendous piles of poop. They are often referred to as Canadian Rats.

Re: I don't think we should do this

Icegoddess — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:53:55 GMT

I have never had migratory birds hang around. I keep my hummingbird feeder out until late October. It's out now, and when I can determine that the water level is no longer declining I'll bring it in for winter. In the spring, we have grosbeaks come through. While there wouldn't be a chance of them freezing to death if they stayed, they don't. They'll hang around about a week and move on. It's just built into their nature. I don't think birds have the capacity to override that by such a rational thought process that just because there is food it would be a good place the hang.

Re: I don't think we should do this

SilleeMee — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 16:42:03 GMT

I'm more concerned about their water supply during the freezing winter months. Last winter we hardly had any snow. In the little bit of snow I had piled in my yard, there was a bird party going on until the snow was almost gone. They all seemed to be dying of thirst. There were all kinds of winter birds coming to take a bite of the snow. It was such a spectacle when a flock of crows stopped in. That was a real party if I ever saw one.

ETA- We are in a severe drought situation here and it's especially dry with very little water anywhere to be found. With the water restrictions during the summer and the scarce snowfall in the winter, that makes it difficult for the wildlife to find water in the city.

Re: I don't think we should do this

Anonymous032819 — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:57:33 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten wrote:
@Anonymous032819 wrote:
I live in an area where Canadian Geese spend their winters.

I'm sorry but I hate Canadian Geese. In the NW they're nothing but pests: they eat all your grass and leave nothing but tremendous piles of poop. They are often referred to as Canadian Rats.

We have a lot of marsh/wetlands where the geese hang out.

I often see them in cattle pastures as I am driving on the highway.

Cows don't seem to mind them.

Re: I don't think we should do this

CelticCrafter — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 16:26:55 GMT

@HLP wrote:
@Anonymous032819 wrote:
There are some birds that don't migrate and hang around all winter.

Cardinals, come to mind.
They are here all summer and have their babies, I see them all the time. Don't know what the above is talking about.

We have cardinals all year long, they don't leave for the winter.

Re: I don't think we should do this

KingstonsMom — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 16:29:07 GMT

@CelticCrafter

My cardinals are here year round too, they don't migrate.

Re: I don't think we should do this

Pearlee — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 16:36:01 GMT

No they don't which is why there are many scenes on Christmas cards and winter scenes in fabrics and art with cardinals.

Re: I don't think we should do this

fthunt — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 16:49:07 GMT

Cold snowy Northeast here.........I have at least 6 sets (that's 12) of Cardinals every winter - along with Mourning Doves - Pigeons - Chickadees - 2 types of Finches - Woodpeckers (3 different sizes) ............and more.

Hummingbirds leave when nights get colder and days get shorter. Food is NOT the deciding factor for them to head South.

Obviously OP doesn't know much about birds...................

Snow is a substitute for water - it has sustained humans when lost in the ski outback when lost. Snow IS water!

Re: I don't think we should do this

ValuSkr — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 16:53:36 GMT

I think birds are influenced to migrate by the weather much more so than the availability of food. And, as others have mentioned, some birds don't migrate; they stay all winter.

I was going to just heart your comment. . but

SunnysMom — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 16:58:46 GMT

Your last line cracked me up. . .way to go!!!!

Now I will heart. . .LOL

Re: I don't think we should do this

noodleann — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 17:00:49 GMT

Our animal control and wildlife people tell us to put bird seed out only during the months it's hard for the birds to get food otherwise, i.e., winter. It doesn't alter their migratory patterns. We're told to take in the feeders from spring through fall to avoid attracting bears and other wild animals that should not be encouraged in areas with human habitation. Once winter sets in, bears should be in hibernation.

I have posted previously about the wrongs of feeding deer, that it does encourage them to alter their grazing patterns and fosters disease, since they'll group together around a pile of feed. Their vulnerability to upper respiratory disease means that by feeding in this unnatural way, one sick deer can easily lead to a herd of sick deer. Feeding deer is just not good for their welfare.

Re: I don't think we should do this

GenXmuse — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 17:32:55 GMT

We are the south and I feed the birds year round. It really brightens my day.