[NatureNS] Summer Bird Feeders

Date: Tue, 22 May 2007 09:36:53 -0300
From: Lois Codling <loiscodling@hfx.eastlink.ca>
To: Nature NS <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
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Hi Anna and others,

One of your questions concerned taking down feeders for the summer, and 
I've noticed several other people mentioning the same practice.  We've 
been feeding here in L. Sackville for quite a few years now, and my 
experience says that you'll get a lot more birds if you are consistent 
through the year.  Clarence Stevens Jr. had an article in the paper 
about it awhile back, and he said _more birds die of starvation in 
summer than at any other time of year!_  That is because of the 
tremendous increase in numbers when the young birds hatch.  Also 
throughout both migrations (spring & fall) we have a great increase in 
numbers.  So it concerns me that many people think you do not need to 
continue to feed through the summer.  Your winter birds become dependent 
on your reliable source of food, so when that dries up just as they have 
their young, you put undue stresses first on the parents to provide, 
then on the young to survive.  If you are able to continue feeding, you 
will have the rewards of seeing the parents bring their young to your 
feeders - great fun!  And the next generation knows where to come for 
food too, so you will see an increase in numbers of birds over time.  
Also it's much easier when you don't have to put on winter coats & boots 
and plow through feet of snow.

Lois Codling

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