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Feeding young birds query

  • 08-07-2016 9:55am
    #1
    Lepidoptera
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 146 ✭✭


    I set up some bird feeders in the garden over the winter and have been feeding the birds ever since. Lots of birds frequent the feeders now, and I have really enjoyed learning about the different birds and watching them. It brings me a lot of joy. I currently put out sunflower hearts and nyger seed.

    I have noticed a lot of fledglings have been visiting the feeders recently. It has made me start to worry if I could be doing harm by feeding them when they should be learning how to find natural food as well right now?

    I know that birds become dependent on feeders and that you shouldn't suddenly stop feeding them, but I just don't know if I am preventing these birds from learning how to fend for themselves as well, so then next year when they raise their chicks they won't really learn etc, if that makes sense?

    I hope I am just being overly concerned, but I have only started learning about birds and don't want to do more harm by feeding them just because I enjoy watching them so much.


Comments

  • #2
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Worry not. That said, I usually reduce feeding to a couple of peanut feeders and just scatter some mixed seed on a birdtable and on the ground twice a day at this time of year. Generally, things go quiet in the garden in August and September as birds forage for 'natural' food elsewhere.
    One way to look at it is that you are possibly providing food for many young birds that would not survive if they were to depend on natural food at this time of year. Insect numbers have been down for the past month and wild seed is not yet abundant, so keep feeding them.


  • #3
    Lepidoptera
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 146 ✭✭Lepidoptera


    Thank you very much for the info; that is good to know.


  • #4
    savagethegoat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,297 ✭✭✭savagethegoat


    I've reduced right down to a couple of peanut feeders inside a modified GuineaPig run as the Jackdaws were getting to be a nuisance.

    Right down in numbers at the moment, Greenfinches most numerous with Great Tits and Chaffinches about the only ones present. Often no birds at all, at other times maybe 6 max. The Blackbirds have nicked most of my raspberries :-).


  • #5
    Lepidoptera
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 146 ✭✭Lepidoptera


    I am getting loads of them still, so I will continue feeding for now. Sometimes there are so many that when looking out the window it feels like it is raining birds!

    There are many goldfinches, some greenfinch and tits and chaffinches, the odd siskin, and heaps of little brown birds (some sparrows for sure, but I struggle to tell the difference between female sparrows and dunnocks still), some others that I struggle to identify


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