It seems to me that birds tend to be a bit smaller than humans, and cooking
seeds, via the conventional or microwave oven will change their
characteristics somewhat, vitamin content, food value, if not done
properly. I know I've adversely affected my food in a microwave and I
don't think this was a bad question and it certainly didn't deserve such a
negative response. I think if you had read her letter in its entirety you
wouldn't have made such a rash statement Denny.

Cliff Drake
Seattle, WA
cliffdrake at qwest.net

At 07:54 PM 11/5/2001 -0800, Denny Granstrand wrote:
>Now, really, how can microwaved seed be bad for birds? If microwaves can
>damage food so the eater is adversely affected, would you actually have one
>in your house?
>
>Denny Granstrand
>Yakima, WA
>
>At 02:25 PM 11/5/2001 -0800, you wrote:
> >Can anyone tell me about micro-waving black oil sunflower seeds to keep
>them from sprouting, and if doing this will be harmful to the birds. I use
>the sunflower seed hearts and thistle seed in my large feeders but have a
>'net ball' and small tray of the black oil seeds I keep filled for the
>chickadees. I have these little chickadees eating out of my hand at times
>now, what a thrill for me! I feed my birds from a third floor balcony and
>also have lots of containers full of 'bird plants' and I'd just as soon not
>be into continual weeding if at all possible.
> >
> >This was my first year to get hummingbirds up on the third floor. I was
>told they don't feed this high but my three years of persistence has finally
>paid off. I have fuchsias, salvia and a few other hummer plants in
>containers. Before the flowers start to bloom I put up some bright red and
>yellow ribbons and silk flowers and that seemed to have finally lured them
>in. ( Perhaps 'attract' would be more P.C.) There has been one Annas that
>has continued to visit at least 2-3 times a day even though the flowers have
>ceased to be blooming. If anyone has any suggestions for winter hummer
>plants that could be grown in containers I would also appreciate the
>information.
> >
> >I'm confined to a wheelchair and have very limited mobility so all my
>birding is done on my two balconies. I have 5 feeders, lots of plants and
>two birdbaths that keep me very busy and well entertained. I have also hung
>a large apple tree branch on the ceiling of one balcony and the birds are
>thick there when it's stormy and wet, gives them shelter from the rain and
>wind I think. I'll be putting up suet feeders very soon.
> >
> > I'm afraid I don't have the impressive lists of sightings that most of you
>do but my little sanctuaries are full of birds from dawn to dark. I so enjoy
>this group, I get in lots of vicarious travel and birdwatching.
> >
> >Patricia Hansen
> >Tacoma, Washington