Hi Bill,
My personal opinion is that there will be no consensus.

Feeding birds can have its side effects, if done inappropriately, such as
allowing for mold to build up on feeders or purchasing low quality food.

Personally, I prefer a combination of the following -

1) Combine feed types in the winter
2) Reduce feed and # of feeders in spring and summer
3) Plant plants that attract insects and bear fruit

For those that are unsure what the benefits are to feeding birds, I would
ask - what are the benefits to habitat loss?

Backyard bird feeders are just temporary feeding stops for migratory birds.
Many help make up, if only for a small percentage, for
the devastating impact humans have had on the natural habitat migratory
birds once relied upon. Furthermore, for many migratory birds, backyard bird
feeders are meaningless (e.g. marine birds).

What can we do, or should we do - if anything - about their food supplies
and habitat?

Isn't that the real question?

Liz

--
GroovyJoker at gmail.com
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