I don't keep the suet feeder going into the spring for very long,
primarily because the
higher temps cause mold and melt, and the bushtits don't seem to be
lacking for bugs.

I keep the sunflower feeder going pretty consistently into mid-June, and
sporadically
after that. My primary birds are BC chickadees, and I like to think I'm
helping
them out while they're nesting.

I have noticed, however, that the chickadees spend significantly less
time at the feeder
when they are nesting or the babies have hatched, apparently preferring
tastier
bugs to the seed.

They also far prefer picking at my sunflowers in the fall than taking
free seed from
the feeder, so dependency doesn't seem to be a problem.

The main problem on dependency is if you are feeding birds that should
have
migrated somewhere else, but like the way you've set the table and are
loathe to leave.

Douglas Daily
Northgate, Seattle, WA
mailto: dfdaily at juno.com