Just wanted to clarify that I am not against feeding birds although I don't do it myself. My husband always had several bird feeders filled. I did not carry on the practice out of laziness mostly. But I quite enjoy watching the birds that flit in and out of the trees behind my condo and I do make a visit to a rookery in Florida every year.
Feeding large birds here in Florida is asking for trouble. Great egrets and herons can get demanding. The sandhill cranes eat grubs and bugs in the yard, which is fine, and they are very fun to watch when they dance, but they do say they can be dangerously aggressive if they are fed.
The ban on feeding songbirds here in the park is a contentious item. I know it was allowed when I first moved in here, but a new HOA board was able to change the by-laws. I stay out of HOA politics. If the citrus rats get into your home they do a tremendous amount of damage though.
In Vermont, bird feeding is unrestricted. However, the Department of Fish and Game strongly advises that bird feeders come down in the spring.
Here's why -- A few years ago then Governor Shumlin heard a ruckus outside his home. A big ruckus. So he jumped out of bed to investigate. We now know that he sleeps in the nude and apparently does not keep a robe handy. He managed to chase aware four bears that were ravishing his bird feeders by yelling "SHOO." Almost. One bear came back, but the Gov could run pretty fast.
Not every weird headline comes out of Florida.
Feeding large birds here in Florida is asking for trouble. Great egrets and herons can get demanding. The sandhill cranes eat grubs and bugs in the yard, which is fine, and they are very fun to watch when they dance, but they do say they can be dangerously aggressive if they are fed.
The ban on feeding songbirds here in the park is a contentious item. I know it was allowed when I first moved in here, but a new HOA board was able to change the by-laws. I stay out of HOA politics. If the citrus rats get into your home they do a tremendous amount of damage though.
In Vermont, bird feeding is unrestricted. However, the Department of Fish and Game strongly advises that bird feeders come down in the spring.
Here's why -- A few years ago then Governor Shumlin heard a ruckus outside his home. A big ruckus. So he jumped out of bed to investigate. We now know that he sleeps in the nude and apparently does not keep a robe handy. He managed to chase aware four bears that were ravishing his bird feeders by yelling "SHOO." Almost. One bear came back, but the Gov could run pretty fast.
Not every weird headline comes out of Florida.
That is a funny headline, It is difficult to get the picture of a naked Gov chased by a bear all to save a bird feeder out of my head...that does beat most Florida headlines.
ReplyDeleteI am the same as you, I like watching the birds and I mean to do the feeder thing every winter but am too lazy.
I agree that if there was a varmint problem the feeders should go. In general that is not a problem in Jersey, unless you hate squirrels.
I would imagine there could be a varmint problem in FL. Here is CO, it is dangerous to feed birds except in winter when bears are hibernating. Bears, coyote and foxes are drawn to birdseed. I don't feed but enjoy the birds that visit my property to peck for earthworms or wild seed. I would not run out dressed or naked to chase a bear from my property!
ReplyDeleteWe love our birds and have feeders all around the house. We are also planting more of what they would like -more trees and flowering bushes for them to get drunk on. :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think bears are a problem here, although we did really have one in our driveway about five years ago. It was later spotted in a tree a few blocks away and made the local news. Ya never know.
ReplyDeleteI always had feeders at my last little place and I loved watching the birds. However, I also had raccoons and possums probably because of the fallen seeds.
ReplyDeleteMy problem with bird feeders is ... squirrels. We do feed the birds sometimes, but just keep the feeder at least 20 yards from the house.
ReplyDeleteI still get the giggles as I remember a Sandhill crane chasing my sister in law around the campground in Fl as she tried to prepare our lunch. Not sure she was as amused as my brother and I were.
ReplyDeleteWell, there are no bears here in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good story!
ReplyDeleteI feed the birds, until the bear awake. It's a good hobby for me.
The larger birds, that just doesn't make sense. They don't need the food.