Community Chat

[fthunt]

@noodleann AMEN to your posting.  Grouping together and diseases.

[Buffalogal47]

@noodleann  You are spot on about not feeding wildlife. Not only for the reasons you stated, but if animals get used to human interaction, they lose their fear. They also may become agressive if the feeding stops. It's never a good idea for humans to meddle with Nature.

[Tinkrbl44]

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@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.

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@GoneButNotForgotten 

???   Where did you ever get the idea that providing food will "seriously disrupt migration patterns"?    You need to learn more about birds before proclaiming that people shouldn't feed them.

Did you read this somewhere ... or are you just speculating?   

When living in a colder climate, it's been my experience that when I see birds flying south in formation, of course they will stop to eat, but then they keep going, staying with their flock..   Now I live in So Cal, and we have birds year 'round, including Hummingbirds.    If a few migratory birds stop by on their way south, thery are more than welcome to have a seed snack and a drink of clean water.  Then, instinctively, they know what to do.

[MalteseMomma]

You can start feeding after Migration is over,if it worries you.................

But many migrators appreciate a "stopover", meal and a refreshing drink, after  many  miles of flying.

[chlema]

I feed the birds during the colder months, not in the summer.  I have cardinals year round and many other winter birds that come to stay.  I know when it's time to fill the feeders because the blue jays show up.  I know they are here all year but I think when their usual food gets scarce they want my feeders filled.  They sit in my tree and yell at me to come on out.  I also have a concrete bird feeder that I keep filled with water.  

[ALRATIBA]

Around here (NYC) - pigeons and other birds (no idea what they are) stay around all winter.  

The squirrels have been really busy stocking their "pantries" for the winter.  

There are signs all around here "Don't feed the wildlife."

[geezerette]

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@MalteseMomma wrote:

You can start feeding after Migration is over,if it worries you.................

But many migrators appreciate a "stopover", meal and a refreshing drink, after  many  miles of flying.

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I noticed over the years that this is what happens with my hummingbirds.  I get several different ones for a few days at a time during their migration before winter.

[PA Mom-mom]

@GoneButNotForgotten  I've been feeding birds in the same area of PA for over 60 years, and there is nothing to suggest migrating birds are staying over. We have winter birds and summer birds, and there are migrating birds you see on occasion. About 5 years ago, we started feeding birds during the summer as well as winter. Nothing has changed except we have more birds.

Also, PLEASE remember to keep fresh water in the bird baths, even in the winter if possible.

In re the Canada geese. They pollute the water in our ponds to the point they have to be closed to swimming. They poop on our walkways and grass. They are beautiful flying in formation on an autumn evening, but I wish they would keep going.

[Kachina624]

Don't think I've ever heard about birds suffering ill effects from being fed during the winter.  Many of their natural foods are in short supply so it may save lives.

[SilleeMee]

Indigenous grasses and plants have always been a source of food for wildlife. Now many of those natural things have been destroyed by human encroachment. What once was a wild and natural plant growing in some field is now considered a weed in our gardens and is eliminated...no longer available for the birds to eat.