Have I done these birds a terrible disservice? Will finches
go further south to find food? How serious is it if there is a break in feeding
in the winter, especially when there are storms like this one?
Birds are pretty clever. If the feeder is empty they’ll look
for other sources. Studies show that the birds you see in your yard eat only
about 20% of their meals at feeders.
However, my feeders were overwhelmed with birds during the
ice storm. They usually follow a circuit each day, visiting a number of feeding
areas. Obviously for the 3 to 4 days following the ice storm my feeders were an
easy, accessible source of emergency food.
Now that the ice has melted, I still have a lot more finches
as well as many other bird and animal species foraging in my yard. They will
eventually return to looking for other sources of food as the weather improves
and you will see your birds return.
Just make sure your feeder is clean and full of fresh
food!
Thank you very much for your response. I was feeling pretty
terrible about leaving them with almost no food.
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