Feed the birds??????

[dinahsmum]

OK - I have finally got around the taking down and thoroughly cleaning the (empty) bird feeders. I stopped feeding the birds at the end of spring when there was a horrible infection going round and it was felt that bird feeders were helping spread it. I worked on the basis that the weather was warmer and the birds would (hopefully) find natural food. There was also the issue of the kittens coming ......

So that's my question. Shall I resume feeding? Some of the birds will undoubtedly be caught by the boys, though they are not too fond of the outside now it's got cooler and damp! Shall I regard it as Darwin in action - natural selection working to keep the brightest specimens?

I thoroughly enjoy watching the birds, and get a good selection squittering and squawking outside my window.

Would be happy to see your views - though I think I will probably give it a try. If my garden becomes The Killing Fields I'll think again.

[Mags]

I personally would start feeding the birds in the winter months DM. The summer months aren't so bad as there are more insects etc around for them. I always enjoy seeing them all line up in the tree at the bottom of the garden waiting for their daily delicacies.

I would say invite them back for dinner!

[Kim]

I always feed the birds, all year round. I know some cats are such hunters but I hardly ever have any birds brought in. I love watching the birds and they have such a struggle to find food in the winter months. So yes, I would resume feeding them again.

[smudgley]

Difficult one

I don't feed the birds, my Smudge kills enough birds without giving her a head start.

Poor little birdies, I do love to see them feeding. If I didn't have Smudge I would, Emily is too slow to catch a cold & Bluebell has yet to start hunting.

[dandysmom]

I feed them year round. Even though food is more plentiful in Summer, I love to see them lining up in the trees when I go out every afternoon to fill the feeder; and they're beneficial also: eat the insects and grubs in the garden...the sparrows love Japanese beetles; haven't seen any in years on the roses! Predatory cats aren't a problem in my neighborhood...very rarely a hawk gets one, but hey, as you said, that's Darwin!

[Sweet]

I havn't started to feed them again yet....all my cats/kittens like to sit on the bird table x

[alexgirl73]

I feed mine all year round as all my cats are indoor and the neighbourhood cats don't seem to bother them. I love watching them in a morning.

[Kazz]

Hi
This year I have had more bird than ever I knowOscar caught them but the birds were clever enough to avoid him and I always tried to distract him with something tasty when the birds come in numbers before dusk the morning birds had to fly the gauntlet as I was never there to side track him at Dawn either at work or asleep - but I did feed the birds and they kept coming but more this year unless its because I have noticed them more.

Birds aren't as feather brained as we think - feed them DM.

[Moli]

I feed all year round as well, Merlin is the only one who stalks the birds, but he gets a ball up his backside everytime I see him do it, of course he doesn't know its me, but it seems to be working!

[dinahsmum]

Thanks all - you've confirmed what I thought. Food will return when the temperature drops. I won't bother at the mo, as we are still varying between 10 and 15C, with mild nights. Long may it continue!
The boys are total wusses and don't go out a lot. If it's wet they go to the garage and have fun chuntering round, running up and dow the stairs, jumping on the jeep etc etc. They are afraid they will melt like icing sugar if their feet get wet!