Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Feeders, Humans, and Nature
Date: Feb 24 22:04:16 2006
From: Chris Comeau - chris.comeau at comcast.net


I have not seen any scientific determination that feeding birds is
contributing to their demise. I have seen reputable institutions
organize databases of birds observed at backyard bird feeders, such as
Cornell University's Project Feeder Watch, which my wife takes great
pleasure in participating in each year. The information that Project
Feeder Watch collects is used for productive purposes, such as tracking
diseases, observing trends in migratory patterns and arrival of certain
birds in various parts of North America, and observed density of flocks
and populations from year to year.

It's interesting to hear the opinions of how we have altered nature and
how feeders may or may not affect birds, migratory or otherwise. It's
great to have passion about birds, nature, and the effects that humans
have on the planet, but all of us who live in wooden houses, drive cars
with combustion engines, fly on jet aiplanes, buy food at grocery
stores (organic or otherwise), and engage in all of the other trappings
of modern society are all part of the problem......regardless of how
much money one might donate to environmental organizations (many of
which produce gross amounts of unsolicited junk mail).

Feeding birds in one's backyard is a way for people to appreciate one
of nature's most amazing creatures......birds.......up close.
Individuals, children, and families can appreciate birds, learn about
birds, and share this experience with others like those who post to
this list serve. For humans who reside in urban areas, this may be the
only window on nature that they have. Observing birds at backyard
feeders provides great satisfaction to many people who love birds,
nature, and improving their bird identification skills.

Chris Comeau in Bellingham, WA
mail to: chris.comeau at comcast.net

On Feb 24, 2006, at 7:40 PM, Edwin D. Lamb wrote:

> Here is something to think about. Are we part of the natural world?
> We certainly have an effect on it. I say we are part of it. What we
> are seeing is evolution that is driven by humankind. There may not be
> that much we can do about it actually. For those of us getting on in
> years, I think we have lived in the best of times when we (some of us)
> have come to recognize the value of the "natural world". We don't
> really appreciate something valued until we recognize that it is being
> taken away. We are losing it as it was. It will never be the same.
> It is always changing. That's inevitable.
>
> I better stop. I'm getting in way over my head.
>
> Ed Lamb in Bellevue, WA
> edsplace2 at comcast.net
>
>
>
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