Birds have plenty to eat right now. It’s summer. Feeding them now is pointless.

^^^ I don't mind pp suggesting feeders, that's part of what DCUM's for. Learn to ignore trivial things you find annoying.

I have fruit trees(not in DC).

I guess it’s a bad moment to say “killing 2 birds...”

Anonymous wrote:

I’m an animal biologist.

1. This year winter was astonishingly mild. Many more animals survived than usual.

2. Spring is a very bountiful time of year, with many insects, fruits and seeds available to birds and other critters.

3. Hungry rats and mice in urban and semi urban neighborhoods may bother you more this year because of the mild winter and restaurant closings. Make sure to clean up any seeds left on the ground, as they are prime rodent food.

4. There is no particular need for feeding animals in Spring.
You can feed them during harsh winters, and put out daily water in periods of deep freeze, since they cannot drink then.

+1. I listened to a Cornell ornithologist talk about this. He said birds don't really need help in the spring, although it may be crucial in harsh winter. Also, water is always helpful. A main benefit is connecting people with nature, getting us thinking about the world outside our city and suburban streets.

I have bird feeders, and birds (avid watcher), but the birds rarely visit the feeder. They prefer natural sources of food.

Worms, berry trees, oak trees, insects, etc.

Only the squirrels like my feeders.

I do put out water each day. It's not a big deal now, but we go through mini droughts and the birds and squirrels get thirsty.

I’m an animal biologist.

1. This year winter was astonishingly mild. Many more animals survived than usual.

2. Spring is a very bountiful time of year, with many insects, fruits and seeds available to birds and other critters.

3. Hungry rats and mice in urban and semi urban neighborhoods may bother you more this year because of the mild winter and restaurant closings. Make sure to clean up any seeds left on the ground, as they are prime rodent food.

4. There is no particular need for feeding animals in Spring.
You can feed them during harsh winters, and put out daily water in periods of deep freeze, since they cannot drink then.

I love my birds and have feeders. Amongst the feeders that I have is the third one pictured in the original post. Unfortunately, wrens come and literally sweep the food out of the feeder tray and empties it in two hours. The squirrels love it as they just sit under the feeder and get all the falling seeds. It’s a little bit distressing as I cannot keep it filled I also have suet. Wood peckers live that

I also use a hanging birdbath where I put some seeds for the birds that typically eat from the ground. Mourning doves and so on. I have a baffle on the base of my feeder that prevents the squirrels from being able to get to the feeders. It works very well and I don’t have a squirrel problem except under that one feeder the wrens empty.

I live in MD and get a nice variety of backyard birds.

I love my birds! I have finches and cardinals out back and love watching them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Birds are scary and dinosaurs. Those 6 Maryland turkey vultures sure had no trouble eating a small mammal yesterday by my house.

Vultures don't kill animals. They're nature's cleaning crew. Thanks to them, that small mammal wasn't rotting in your yard and growing pathogens for you and your family. Vultures live in family groups and their main defense is throwing up on threats (gross, but still). Vultures are totally under-appreciated.

Anyway, nature is red in tooth and claw. Appreciating nature means appreciating all of it. You city slickers need to get outdoors more!

Hence there was no need for me to feed them!

PSA: safflower is healthier (less fatty) than sunflower seeds.

If you pay a little extra for the shelled seeds, they don't get all over your porch or lawn.

Anonymous wrote:Birds are scary and dinosaurs. Those 6 Maryland turkey vultures sure had no trouble eating a small mammal yesterday by my house.

Vultures don't kill animals. They're nature's cleaning crew. Thanks to them, that small mammal wasn't rotting in your yard and growing pathogens for you and your family. Vultures live in family groups and their main defense is throwing up on threats (gross, but still). Vultures are totally under-appreciated.

Anyway, nature is red in tooth and claw. Appreciating nature means appreciating all of it. You city slickers need to get outdoors more!

Birds are scary and dinosaurs. Those 6 Maryland turkey vultures sure had no trouble eating a small mammal yesterday by my house.

Since you got me thinking about squirrel proof feeders, this is wonderful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZFjoX2cGg&feature=youtu.be

Anonymous wrote:I love birds too but I seriously thought we are only supposed to put food out in the winter when food is scarce?

I’ve read that birds get maybe half their food from you. They have other sources, so they’re OK if you go on vacation or stop feeding them.

Many birds, like chickadees, feed their babies insects (for protein) even if they grab a quick meal at your feeder themselves.

Nyjer & safflower do not appeal to rodents for city PP. I also have been scarred by rodents so I only have those 2 types of seed, squirrel proof feeders, & a hummingbird feeder (which has no visitors yet, tragically - I just bought a red flowering plant to hang next to it to encourage them!).