[NatureNS] An imminent rise in the price of bird seed

Date: Sat, 09 Jun 2007 08:41:37 -0300
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
From: Blake Maybank <maybank@ns.sympatico.ca>
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Hi all;

As I was enjoying the antics of all the fledging juncos at my feeder 
right now (the first on June 2), I remembered that I had intended to 
advise NatureNS readers of a possible increase in the price of bird 
seed, especially sunflower seed (both striped and black oil).   I 
just made a large purchase at Walker's Seed in Dartmouth, where I was 
advised that such a price increase is anticipated.   There are two 
main reasons for this.   The first is that the harvest last summer 
was very poor (at least in much of western Canada).  The second is 
that the increasing demand for BioFuel is beginning to divert 
increasing amounts of sunflower seed away from the cooking oil and 
bird seed markets, and into the BioFuel market.  More competition 
plus decreased harvest = increase in prices.   Indeed, there is some 
risk that sunflower seed will become very difficult to obtain, 
especially here on the east coast, so far from the areas of production.

I bought several bags, but not to stockpile.   They are needed now, 
as I've never had so many juncos and White-throated Sparrows at my 
feeders.  More than 100 of the former and 25 or so of the latter are 
daily visitors, and have been since late April.  Add in the numerous 
Purple Finches, Blue Jays, doves, woodpeckers, etc, and I'm having to 
restock the feeding platforms twice daily.   It is an expensive hobby 
this year, and likely to get more so if the prices do indeed rise.

Good birding,


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blake Maybank
Editor, "Nova Scotia Birds"

author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia"
http://maybank.tripod.com/BSNS.htm

144 Bayview Drive
White's Lake, Nova Scotia,
B3T 1Z1, Canada

maybank@ns.sympatico.ca
(902) 852-2077  


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