Caution: summertime bird feeding

[nyairman]

can be harmful to song birds. Alot of us here love to feed birds in the winter months. But feeding them through late spring and summer can sometimes be harmful to them. Summertime heat can cause bacteria in and around feeding stations, especially if the feeder has not been carefully cleaned. Even a "clean" feeder can quickly become infected in very warm weather. I stop feeding birds as soon as the trees start to bud. Then I take the feeders down and get ready for the Hummingbird season. I make sure to take down the hummer feeders when its time for them to migrate south. Not doing so, they may hang around too long and get caught up in some bad weather and will not survive.
Just some "food" for thought!

Greg

[longislandhunter]

That's interesting Greg,,, I never knew that.  Is the bacteria issue negated if you do away with the feeders and simply spread the feed out on the lawn?  

Jeff

[longislandhunter]

Good articles Mike,, thanks.  I'm going to start taking the precautionary steps mentioned in the articles, the last thing I want to do is jeopardize the birds that we enjoy feeding...... even the lowly starling,,, I want the starlings nice and healthy when I put the crosshairs on em  

Thanks again for the articles, very good reading.

Jeff

[nyairman]

Yes,...good reading Mike.  Jeff, a few years back I encountered a couple of American Golfinch that got sick and eventually died. I summoned a DEC officer to take the birds and they sent me the results back. It was definately bateria related. Remember, especially with ground feeding birds that their feeding grounds are also their toilet bowls. I also suggest not to lay ground seed directly underneath a hanging feeder. Hope this helps

Greg