THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, October 28, 2010 www.picnicrockfarms.com


Picnic Rock FarmsLLC formerly Longridge Farm AND


DO FEEDERS CREATE DEPENDENCY? PART II


by Steve White Contributing Writer


In last week’s article,


we described how an ex- tensive 4 year wild bird feeding study by Profes- sor Margaret Britting- ham from the Univer- sity of Wisconsin was con- ducted from 1984-1988. This study was set up to track the survival rate of two distinct, controlled groups of chickadees dur- ing two straight winters. One banded group had sunflower seed feeders removed after 20 years of existence. The other banded group of birds, verified outside the ac- cepted range of the feeder group, had never received their food sources through human contact. The winters were aver-


age in terms of tempera- ture, snow cover and wind conditions. In terms of survival rates, which were about 85%, the exhaus- tive study concluded that there was no marked dif- ference between the two groups of chickadees. The other 15% were presumed to have perished, since chickadees remain in the same area throughout a winter. Birds that had used


feeders in the past were no less able to survive on a natural food supply, even though feeders were constantly available for the preceding 20 years. This is not surprising. During the preceding two winters, at the site where there were sunflower seed feeders, the banded chick- adees were tracked as they obtained some 79% of their daily rations from natural food sources. Chickadees are truly


opportunistic. In winter, they will search out insect eggs and larvae, mites and other anthropods, seeds, carcass remains and all sorts of available energy sources. Both the controlled and


experimental sites were in relatively undisturbed rural locations in Wiscon- sin composed primarily of deciduous woods. The study did not see what the effect would be if the feeders were suddenly re- moved or left empty right in the middle of winter. However, birds are used to food sources disappearing in winter, due to snow, ice or foraging by other birds. There is one interesting


note about the study. It was determined that dur- ing abnormally severe weather conditions, five days of more of tempera- tures below 18° F, there was a marked difference in survival of the con- trolled group of chicka- dees. Birds with access to feeders maintained higher weights and were able to replace depleted energy reserves with minimal foraging. During periods of extreme cold, the abil- ity to get a large amount of energy in a short period of time with minimum ef- fort may be critical to the


survival of the weak and older chickadees. Logi- cally, this holds true for humans as well. People who feed birds


can indeed help extend the range and survival rates of wild birds dur- ing times when natural food sources are scarce. However, when nature provides an abundance of food, your backyard is just considered one more food sources, never the primary food sources. Our advice for almost


two decades of service to our customers is to en- joy this hobby for what it offers. Peace, tranquil- ity and the joy of sitting back and watching nature right outside your win- dow. Have fun with your backyard birds.


Steve White is the owner of


Wild Bird Depot, located on Rt 11 in Gilford, NH. Steve is a contributing author in major publications, a guest lecturer at major conventions in At- lanta and St. Louis, as well as the host of WEZS 1350AM radio show “Bird Calls” with Lakes Region Newsday on Thursday @ 8:30AM. Wild Bird Depot has contributed over $5,000 to local wild bird rehabilitators and local nature centers since 1996.


THE FARM PANTRY FRESH BAKED GOODS


Open Seven Days a Week • 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.


WE WILL BE CLOSED NOV. 1ST THRU NOV. 18TH TO GEAR UP FOR OUR THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS SEASON!


Come see us for your Holiday Pies, Gift Baskets, Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Garland, Kissing Balls & etc., Available thru Christmas. Made Here from our Sustainable Managed Tree Farm Supplying Quality Trees since 1976.


Winter Squash • Cold Season Crops Still Being Harvested Daily


• Maple Candy/Fudge • Honey & Maple Syrup We Ship Anywhere!


Hot Coffee • Hot Chocolate Mulled Cider


279-8421 • 520-0624 (cell) • 85 D.W. Hwy • Meredith, NH (Just South of the Meredith Traffic Circle)


®


33


FALL BIRD FEEDING HEADQUARTERS EVERYDAY LOW PRICES!


8 lbs. No Shell Sunflower Seed $9.99 8 lbs. Nyjer Seed $13.99


www.wildbirddepot.com 527-1331


(over 1,500 items available on line) Route 11, Gilford (Across from Wal-Mart Plaza)


Mon, Tue, Wed 9-5 • Thur & Fri 9-6 • Sat 9-5 • Sun 9-4 Open 7 Days a Week at 9:00 a.m.


LOON'S FEATHER GIFT SHOP


Loon Tapestry Throws • Long Sleeve T’s in Fall Colors Warm Socks • Night Shirts


At the Loon Center: Open Mon.-Sat. 9-5 Hiking Trails • Displays • Videos


For Info CALL 476-5666 (LOON) 183 Lee’s Mill Rd • Moultonborough


Your Invited


Taste of the Upper Valley Dinner & Live Auction


Friday, November 5, 6:30 p.m. Great Food & Great Entertainment


Enfield Shaker Museum 447 NH Route 4A • Enfield, NH 603-638-4346 • info@shakermuseum.org www.shakermuseum.org


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