Hi All,
I am wondering about feeding native birds, it has always been my opinion they are better off being allowed to find their own food and the only help we humans should give them is to plant bird friendly trees and plants.
I guess in a way I help feed my birds in the yard when I weed my garden and find slugs or snails I put them out on an open space where the birds can find them, I don't use pesticides at all. I pick and flick pests in my garden.
I maintain areas of the yard purely for the birds benefit and I am planting more trees.
I have noticed a few members here post about putting bird feeders out to attract the birds. I am not sure this is particularly wise as it can affect the birds health.
I am not sure that watering points are a particularly good idea either, though I so badly want to put a bird bath in I love watching birds wash and bathe themselves. They really look like they are enjoying themselves.
What do others think?
Hi Wollemi, I have noticed, you have been reading many of the old post on this forum. You would have noticed strong opinions about the feeding.I am a "strong" advocate against feeding, just to name one aspect: the spread of devastating diseases from one bird to the other. You should do some reading about it!Watering birds can have the same problems, the water should be kept absolutely kleen. Lately I have left some (many!) areas of our property grow long grass and "weeds" (it's only us, that think of some plants as weeds!). We don't mow the grass in some areas, and.... lots of Rosellas,( mainly right footed ones), walk across eating the seeds. Anyway, my view is "not to feed" Remember my Hamburger Story!!!
M-L
Thanks Araminta,
I feel somewhat reassured that I am on the right track now!
Yes, I think I shall have to do without my bird bath. It is too risky and I don't think I could live with myself if it caused the spread of diseases. Oh well... my gardens will provide lots of feeding opportunities with lots of muclh for insect to hide in and birds to scrath up along with flowers, seeds, thickets of plants.
Kind Regards
Wollemi
Happy Birding!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138588528@N02/
Wollemi - provided they are kept clean - which is easy to do - bird baths are a wonderful way of attracting birds to your yard.
We have some guidelines for creating bird-friendly gardens on the website - just go to 'bird-friendly spaces' and you will see the link :)
Holly
Hello Wollemi,
I have a stock trough which doubles as a fountain (water pressure reducer).
All the birds use it - either for drinking or bathing. There are some plants in it for shelter for the little birds.
Bird baths as little dishes can be a problem if there is not a constant source of fresh water flowing in. A Currawong or Kookaburra having a bath can empty a 'dish' bath at the drop of a hat, leaving no water for the other birds.
I have an old metal water line in the garden which constantly drips so there is a dish under it. The Red Browed Finches prefer to use it, but it can also be an attraction for snakes in summer.
Like the others - little bird baths as a water source are probably best avoided.