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Index of Subjects Hi All Although the text books say that the nesting period for A.G. Finch's is late summer. Now due to a constant and plentiful food supply earlier nesting can be stimulated. We've had downy AG Finch fledglings as early as mid/late June. Tom K. Canso ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lois Codling" <loiscodling@hfx.eastlink.ca> To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 6:29 PM Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Summer Bird Feeders > Anna, I checked out the size of a Goldfinch territory in Stokes 'Guide > to Bird Behaviour', Vol.1 of Stokes Nature Guides by Donald & Lillian > Stokes. If you have the right territory for a Goldfinch nest, which > they describe as "open areas, either marshy or near water, with > scattered shrubs and/or saplings", they give 1/4 acre to an acre or more > as the usual territory size. But they also say that, "Territorial > behaviour in Goldfinches is most prominent in crowded areas where the > territories may be as small as one hundred feet in diameter." So I > guess it depends on how desirable your yard is to them! Also, although > we are witnessing courtship behaviour now, Goldfinch don't actually nest > until late summer - July & August. > > Lois Codling > > Anna Gardner wrote: > > Great news! I was afraid the answer would be that it was somehow > > detrimental to the birds to continue to feed (unnecessary dependence > > on humans??). We're looking forward to observing as much bird behavior > > and as many birds as we can :) > > Any idea how many, if any, of all those finches might stick around to > > nest? > > AG > > > > On 5/22/07, Lois Codling <loiscodling@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote: > >> 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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