Re bird feeders,
I know it is true in at least some small part that a lot of spilled seed
will attract rats, and that some rats(rodents) will climb trees to reach a
feeder if it is within their athletic means. I have had both experiences in
my yard. Of course, rats are also attracted to garbage, fallen fruit,
compost, and just about anything with food value. They seem to be our
nocturnal counterpart to the introduced Eastern Gray Squirrels. It would be
interesting to know if the building manager thinks squirrels are okay, but
other rodents are unacceptable.

But I think the banning of feeders for this reason is an overreaction
(there will be rats around anyway) and represents a move to sanitize nature.
Banning bird feeding makes life simpler for building managers, who can't
stand the sight of sunflower hulls and the occasional bird dropping. But
it subtracts your pleasure of seeing and hearing birds from your home. It
would be a challenge to educate the managers about the importance of urban
wildlife, especially the (native) birds.

Bob Sundstrom

----- Original Message -----
From: <Jamonahan at aol.com>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 11:11 AM
Subject: bird feeder attracts rodents?


> Hello Tweeters,
>
> I'm a lurker but hope someone can help with a distressing situation. From
my
> Belltown apartment building, I've put a lovely birdfeeder that attracts
> beautiful finches. Now my building management demands the feeder be taken
> down because an exterminator told her the feeder attracts rodents.
>
> This is the first I've heard of such a thing, and I suspect the feeder is
an
> easy target. Any feedback? I'm bereft at having to lose the lovely song of
> these creatures.
>
> Julie Monahan
> Seattle, WA