problem solved?

[Acipiter]

I been reading the posts on bird feeders, and some of the problems that they can create, disease, predation, many years ago I decided not to feed the birds this way and instead to let part of my garden to just run wild, and to plant wild flowers," and winter berry plants, and the odd fruit tree, that birds and insects love. If we had all done this and not gone down the feeder route, would we have these problems now? May be its not to late to change, I realize we all do not have gardens, but we could all do something, could we not in this direction, what do you think?.

[Kayleigh]

I think the birds need a help in hand as I dont believe there is enough food for them in the cold winter spells like this recent cold spell.
There are less birds in the fields as they come into gardens for food and water.
This is only my opinion others may differ..

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Acipiter

I been reading the posts on bird feeders, and some of the problems that they can create, disease, predation, many years ago I decided not to feed the birds this way and instead to let part of my garden to just run wild, and to plant wild flowers," and winter berry plants, and the odd fruit tree, that birds and insects love. If we had all done this and not gone down the feeder route, would we have these problems now? May be its not to late to change, I realize we all do not have gardens, but we could all do something, could we not in this direction, what do you think?.

This doesnt solve your percieved problem though? your still attracting large amounts of birds into an close area in the garden.

[Dae]

Not everybody has a garden that can support this type of bird feeding. Sometimes the only option is a few feeders on a tiny patio garden, which no matter what you did wouldn't support any sustainable bird-feeding plants/flowers, particularly in a winter like this one. Sometimes feeders are the only option, with it being our responsibility to keep them tidy.

[nigel_b]

A lot of people want to do something but not everybody can do what you have done.

As for feeders being a vector for disease I'll leave that to the experts to discuss but on balance I would think that regularly topped-up feeders do more good than harm.

[Acipiter]

It was just a little food for thought, I did say that not every one could go down the route that I chose . Another reason why I chose this route, was because of habitat loss in the countryside. which most of the books say is one other reason why there as been a large decrease, in many species of birds. The red backed shrike is one that comes to mind, the last one I saw was in 1960.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Acipiter

I been reading the posts on bird feeders, and some of the problems that they can create, disease, predation, many years ago I decided not to feed the birds this way and instead to let part of my garden to just run wild, and to plant wild flowers," and winter berry plants, and the odd fruit tree, that birds and insects love. If we had all done this and not gone down the feeder route, would we have these problems now? May be its not to late to change, I realize we all do not have gardens, but we could all do something, could we not in this direction, what do you think?.

Its a very good idea for the most part - but have you any birds there feeding at the moment or is it empty? I should imagine that any birds in your area will be on neighbouring feeders and tables in weather like this - unless you are fortunate to be living in a place without snow? I can imagine yoy may have blackbirds and thrushes if you have no snow and certainly they will take the berries and fruits very easily if its not covered with snow or frozen to the trees.

The thing is for me - garden birds have declined - I could suggest that is cos of predation and easy spread of disease tho I don't actually think this is why. I tend to think that without our help with extra food there would be a lot less - or poss - hardly any garden birds left because of all the other reasons: urbanisation spreading too much, the countryside becoming sterile, the loss of insect food due to drought, flood and freeze interupting breeding cycles and killing pupae and probably a host of other polluting or disastrous things ..........

We feed all year round in two very different places: one is supporting a 50+ goldfinch flock and the other is keeping between 4 and 6 pairs of bullfinch in top breeding condition, plus of course a host of others from woodpeckers to Marsh Tits etc.

The ideal I reckon would be wild areas in gardens, parks and country parks and feeding stations as well ............

PS If we are around at peak breeding time we usually buy a 2kg bag (at least) of mealworms which supports many adults and makes their task of feeding their young so much easier.

[rossy]

yes you have a point to a certain degree, but the rspb would not recomend it ,thats for sure, birds move all around searching for food, and without our help a lot more would perish, think of the likes of bearded tits, up at leighton moss they put trays out , and these have been a godsend, like rkb put on the other thread, if your feeders have become infected, take them down, clean them , and i think if you put them back , do it after a couple of weeks. rossy.

[Acipiter]

I have loads of starlings on the windfall apple, and gold finches on the teazel, great tits looking in the scrub. And my family of long tailed tits, I did have chaffinch's and loads of greenfinch up to 3 years ago but I now have none, I wonder why. Lots of people hang up feeders but never clean them that's the problem, well intentioned but know very little about the problem dirty feeders can cause.

[PMG]

I agree with you Acipiter - dirty feeders in other peoples gardens are a problem. However, if you have no supplementary seed/finch food then that is the reason why you have no finches at the moment. Sprinkle see in your rough area or on a cut lawn and they will return. Keeping seed loose like this and alternating feeding areas is the very best way to keep finch populations going without opening them to the risk of Trich and other diseases