Thoughts about feeding birds? Bird geek alert!

Submitted by mysticcoffeeroaster t3_ynvgoa in vermont

My first Fall in VT (grew up in NH, lived in MA for 30 years) and I'm so happy but I'm a little startled at the lack of winter birds at my home in Windsor County. I was wondering if I should set up a feeding station. I know they know how to feed themselves, but it would be for my own selfish entertainment. My mother gets such a lovely and diverse set of visitors at her feeding station in NH all year long. Any feeders out there with some advice about local birds to attract? Any precautions? For example, my Mom takes some of her feeders inside at night since bears seem to enjoy them as much as the birds. Is that a thing for most people around here? And of course, there are always squirrels... Also, I'd love to see any photos you might have of the birds at your feeder(s)! Thanks in advance!

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MudaThumpa t1_ivawu5z wrote

It's a good way to spread salmonella to the birds. I still feed to help the birds get through harsh weather, but only in the winter and I sanitize my feeder with a bleach water solution between each fill up.

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mcnut14 t1_ivax1hx wrote

It is not recommended to put out bird feeders until after Dec 1. Bears.

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mysticcoffeeroaster OP t1_ivb1wuz wrote

OK, good to know. Yes I understand about keeping it clean and sanitized. Also, has avian flu been a problem in VT this year?

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Most_Expert_8080 t1_ivb806m wrote

If you wanted to be environmentally conscious, don’t feed birds with feeders. Plant native plants that they can use instead.

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Generic_Commenter-X t1_ivb9t12 wrote

Replying to mcnut14 (#457,406)

And possibly not even Dec 1st if it continues being this warm. A couple black bears came snuffling right up to my back door last year; and I'm close to town. I had already quit feeding the birds but they knocked over the trash can just to make sure, and took a dump in a couple choice places. They also ate one of my chickens. Then I put up the electric fence. My advice would be to visit your local country store and ask about bears before putting out a neon sign.

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mysticcoffeeroaster OP t1_ivbc2gq wrote

Replying to Most_Expert_8080 (#457,908)

I'm very lucky as it seems my predecessor here seems to have been very mindful of native plants. Still though, I've been doing quite a bit of maintenance around the yard and there's been hardly even a call of a chickadee far in the distance. Weird.

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Walnut2001 t1_ivbc71a wrote

I took an ornithology class in college and asked my professor about his thoughts on bird feeders. According to him, biologists are trying to get the public to stop using bird feeders since they are such a heavy vector for disease. So many new emerging diseases in wildlife with climate change.

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Internal-Fudge8578 t1_ivcez40 wrote

It’s a great way to help your neighbors chickens catch bird flu that’s for sure. Also a great way to see some bears smash a feeder or two.

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MizLucinda t1_ivenvqm wrote

I break bird feeders so I just put seed on the ground. My back yard has become bird central. But - I have a small yard and usually 2-3 handfuls/day do the trick. I do this year-round.

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