Subject: To feed or not to feed
Date: Jan 7 15:09:31 2004
From: Mike Denny - m.denny at charter.net


Hello All,
The question to feed or not to feed is interesting to me. This is because
there are many reasons to feed and a number of reasons not to. Like any
other human endeavor there is a certain amount of responsibility that goes
along with bird feeding anytime of year. Keeping a clean operation and fresh
clean water is a must. In our yard right now are well over 400 passerines of
14 species. Our only mortality to date has been what birds are grabbed by
the local Sharp-shinned and Merlin. The extreme cold and deep snow has
forced scores of birds into feeding stations. This concentrates many birds
and opens up many to infection by viruses and other pathogens. But then most
of you already know this. House Finches here in Southeastern Washington
almost feed exclusively on BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEED and to a far lesser
degree on white millet, apple and "downer" mountain ash berries.
Later Mike

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Mike & MerryLynn Denny
323 Scenic View Drive
College Place, WA 99324
509.529.0080 (h)

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED!
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