Subject: [Tweeters] Backyard Feeders, again...
Date: Feb 23 20:16:59 2006
From: Robert Westphal - willet24x7 at hotmail.com


There are many who would argue that feeding wild birds will upset some
preexisting "balance", and create competetive boosts for many species
(Anna's/Rufous, Squirrels/nesting birds, House Sparrows/any other species)
and so on ad infinitum. I say take a look at a satellite photo of Seattle,
or any other city. You will see rooftops, streets, malls and parking lots.
None of those places are good environments for growing seeds, fruits or
insects. I doubt that the number of feeders people put up even comes close
to offsetting this lack of wild food production. I also doubt that any city
has a "natural" distribution of animals or plants compared to the
pre-Columbian/industrial era. Whether or not you discourage Eastern Gray
Squirrels, House Sparrows and Starlings (good luck), you may certainly be
encouraging, fattening and breeding native sparrows, chickadees, pigeons and
woodpeckers who would otherwise move on or starve. As for the educational
power of feeders, I have turned family members and friends into supporters
of wild places, wildlife and birding just by having them watch birds at my
feeder. Perhaps someday I will replace my roof with native grasses and
berries and a nice bog, but until then...
Bob Westphal
Seattle
willet24x7 at hotmail.com