Feeding birds all summer?

[steffy]

Hello there just a quick question , i dont feed the birds in the summer because i figure they can find enough food in the garden and surrounding forest as it is so do you guys feed them all summer if not when do you start to feed them again ? I 've noticed alot of berries and seeds out there still because of the weird sept. we've been having ( no rain) and i was just curious .

[Gord]

Steffy, I used to do both. Most often Id feed through the summer as well even though the feeders were not as busy. Always fun to see the adults bringing the young ones by. Still, I would see them spending as much time feeding elsewhere as well.

I hold the opinion that birds naturally move around to follow food sources. They eat up one source and then go elsewhere. If the weather turns ugly or it's time to migrate, I think they'll move even if there's food. So if you stop feeding for the summer or move away and no one else feeds in the yard, they'll find an alternative source. When you decide to start feeding again they'll find the food and use it as appropriate for the species season and sometimes weather conditions.

But, I might be wrong especially with long term feeders. Maybe after a few generations things change where they dont do 'regular' movements? Id be surprised if I that turned out to be the case as one of birds' core makeups is to migrate and be able to find new food sources.

One thing I think feeders do though is help keep more non-migrants alive during sudden and prolonged harsh spells of weather. Many that might succumb (especially weaker individuals) from a week long ice storm will survive with the provided food. One thing that bird feeders does prevent in natural occurrences is that. Is it bad or detrimental? Only if somehow genetics or something is weakened from these individuals. But then again, cold weather is not the only thing out there to weed out the less fit.

So there's some thoughts/theories. I think I went well beyond addressing your question too! Sorry for the ramble. ;D

[kastern]

Hi Steffy, I feed the birds year round too. I don't supply the same variety of feeds in the summer as I do in the winter but I do put feed out each day. Mainly I do it for my own enjoyment as it keeps the birds coming around and I enjoy seeing the shift of seasons with the types of birds, when they arrive and when they leave. I've been keeping a daily record for almost 10 years now and I figure it is data that could prove interesting in the long term. When I had a bigger yard I made sure it was full of the sorts of plants that attract a wide variety of birds. Now I don't have that option so have to rely on my feeders and a water feature to lure them in.

Kathy