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December 10, 1961 - Bird FeedersF` 'X� = Winter feeding station Exclusive Sunday Review Sketch by Dennis PuIeston of Brookhaven Focus BIRD FEEDERS L�'lil Nature' If we're going to do something about bird feeders.th'is year, it is surely time we got started. There has always been some contro- versy over whether or not by feeding we are upsetting the bal- ance of Nature. And whenever man starts to disrupt Nature's ways, disaster will surely follow. This theory, though true, does not hold in today's world. It sure- ly would have been true before man began to unbalance Nature. But today we find ourselves so involved, consciously and uncon- sciously in this unbalancing, that the small amount of feeding we do 'becomes inconsequential. Seeing we have removed most of the birds' natural foods in one way or another, our feeders, es- pecially during the winter, will go a long way in supplementing ,their meager findings. One thing I must impress on the beginner is that should he start feeding birds during the winter, it is imperative that he continue. This 'is most important for,many birds are held captive to our feeders by the plentiful supply of food and should this supply be interrupted during the rough winter days, it would prove most disastrous. For those who are just starting this fascinating and rewarding ex- perience, the following tips might - prove worthwhile. First, don't let your feeder become a drudge in the sense that you are making elaborate menus and becoming tied down unnecessarily. Nothing can take the fun out of your feeder more than to find it is constantly interrupting your plans. Feeders today, are design- ed so that there is a reserve supply, thereby allowing you to leave your feeder for more than a day without worry of its being replenished. More about feeders later. For the seed eaters, such as the cardinals, chickadees, jays, juncos, field sparrows, w hi t e- throats, etc the wild bird seed you 'can purchase at almost any grocery or hardware store works out quite well. I rather like to put half cracked corn with my wild seed plus one or two hands - ful of sun flower seed. This mix- by Paul Stoutenburgh 'ture will take care of most of the seed eaters in our area and we will even find the nuthatch and woodpeckers sampling 'it. Another good supplement for the above, that is often overlook- ed, is the common white bread from our table. This bread is even preferred over the brown breads. Another reason I like to keep a plentiful supply of bread around is that the greedy star- lings and English sparrows seem to feel satisfied with large pieces of bread and will then leave the choice grains for our more in- teresting bird's. Although I suggested keeping your menu simple, there are al- ways delicacies that you m i g h t enjoy trying at your feeder. Rai- sins, bits of fruit, nuts, peanut butter and similar tid bits can add much to a bird's diet. To take care of the insect or meat eaters, if we can call them such — suet, that is easily pur- chased from the stores, is an excellent food for the woodpecker, brown creeper, nuthatch and ch'ickad'ee. Of course, the starling will eat it also as they eat just about anything put before them. One other thing, don't forget to keep feed on the ground for birds like the dove, junco and lark. .These birds feed almost exclusiv- ly on the ground and therefore you are passing them by if you do not provide for their table. A lean -to type of shelter on the ground is worthwhile for this type of feeding, especially when the snow starts to fall. This lean - to or low cover will go far in preventing many a back ache as a result of clearing a spot on the ground for these birds. With the same thought in mind, a partially, covered feeder 'is al- ways a good idea to keep rain and snow off one section. Many of the feeders of today have special holders for suet. Should your feeder not be so de- signed, a good holder can be made from the netting of an old orange or onion bag. However, with the advanced use of plastic these are somewhat hard to get ahold of and so an old silk or nylon stocking with holes punched in 'it, works equally as well. These containers hung from a limb on a long wire provide a squirrel - free, easily accessible suet feeder. Of course, you can just tie the suet to the feeder or tree, but here I find the robbers; t h e squirrel, raccoon and cat taking their share of it. While we are on the subject of Mr Squirrel and his accomplices you will find that unless something is done to dis- courage these fellows you'll ' be feeding 90 per cent squirrels and 10 per cent birds. To discourage their raids, a metal disc under the feeder shap- ed like an old Chinese hat solves the problem. Feeders should be, for my part, made of wood. The metal ones, although nice and trim • looking, do not have t h e natural feeding of wood that bird are so used to. I remember how well received my old delapidated feeder was in preference to a new shiny metal one that was given to me a few years ago. Try to get feeders that have a hopper built into them so, as I explained earlier, you can go away for a day or two without fretting that the feeder must be tended. Locate your feeder off to one side where low shrubs and trees make it easily accessible. Re- member birds do not like to be caught out in the open if they can help it. All too often Mr Hawk can play havoc with Birds that cannot scatter to cover quickly. One other point in reference to location is that your feeder, when ever possible, should be located in a weather protected area. The southern or lee side of a house Is always a good place for this. One last bit of information be- fore we give you your diploma in bird feeding and that is to try to keep available water for the birds. This becomes a prob- lem in winter when w a t e r freezes so readily but is easily overcome by purchasing a simple poultry water heater that is thermostatically controlled to keep the water from freezing.. These are well worth looking into. So many of as religiously keep water for the birds during the hot summer days but fall short on this important mission when winter rolls around. If water is not available your birds must go and find it elsewhere and there- fore there is a possibility you will lose that pair of evening grosbeaks, or cardinals that you have cherished for so long. In summing up, keep feeding simple, and once you've started, continue through the year. Keep an ample supply of fodH and water available and place your feeder in a protected spot. Keep the squirrels and cats away by using simple shielding devices and most of all — enjoy your armchair birding throughout the winter months! FIELD OBSERVATIONS Dennis Pulestou reports: Brookhaven — December I Snowy owl Brookhaven — December 4 Short - eared owl (4) Judd Bennett t^eports: East Marion — December 2 Pine grosbeaks (10) Laughing gull Purple finches (2) L R Ernest reports: Shinnecock — December 3 Bonaparte's gulls Southampton — December 5 Cardinals (pair) at feeder Roy Latham. reports: Orient — December A Meadowlark (10) Orient — December 2 Whistling swan (2)