Posted on 05/27/2021 9:49:39 AM PDT by Red Badger
A trio of researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Edinburgh has found that people filling garden feeders have a pervasive and long-distance impact on bird populations. In their paper published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Jack Shutt, Urmi Trivedi and James Nicholls describe their study of bird droppings across parts of Scotland.
Hanging bird feeders and filling them regularly has become a popular pastime in the U.K. as people sit and watch the birds that come to feed from them. But what impact does so much easy feeding have on the birds? Scientists do not really know. In this new effort, the researchers set out to learn more about it.
The work involved first collecting data regarding bird feeding. They found that approximately 150,000 tons of birdfeed is purchased each year in the U.K. They also found that the amount of feed given to birds is more than triple what would be needed to sustain them all. The researchers next set about collecting fecal samples dropped by birds in a 220 km transect of 39 predominantly deciduous Scottish woodland areas, focusing most specifically on the diet of just one bird species that is widely known to feed from garden feeders—the blue tit. Each sample underwent metabarcoding, which revealed the amounts of different foods a bird had eaten.
The researchers focused most specifically on peanuts in the fecal samples because it is found in almost all bird feeders in Scotland and because it is not something the birds can find in the wild. They found peanuts in 49% of the samples and moths (the birds' natural prey) in only 34% of the samples. The researchers suggest these numbers indicate that blue tits are getting most of their food from bird feeders. And it was not just birds that live close to the feeders—they found large amounts of peanuts in bird droppings up to a mile away from any bird feeder. That finding suggested that virtually every blue tit in Scotland gets at least some of its food from feeders.
The researchers also found evidence that suggested the increase in garden feeding has led to an increase in population densities of blue tits and that could be leading to crowding out of other species such as willow tits. Blue tits are known to evict willow tits from nesting holes.
Sounds serious. And men have to worry about beer nuts, and cotton balls.
TTIUWP
Yesterday, I counted 14 squirrels, 8 doves, 4 blue jays, 3 cardinals, 1 red wing black bird and 1 red-headed woodpecker.
The surprise was to see the woodpecker down on the ground pecking away.
So, Scotland soon to ban bird feeders? Muslim rape still okay though.
So how much do the squirrels get?
>>They found that approximately 150,000 tons of birdfeed is purchased each year in the U.K. They also found that the amount of feed given to birds is more than triple what would be needed to sustain them all.
i don’t know about the UK but in America squirrels and other critters are also eating “birdseed”.
>>But what impact does so much easy feeding have on the birds?
they never ask this about a 70 year welfare state
I once saw birds trying to peck through the snow to get food. I felt sorry for them and bought a suet feeder. Over the next few years, I kept putting up bird feeders. That is, until I realized that the birds were telling their friends and their friends were telling other friends, until I had massive numbers of birds coming for the free food. Also, being more educated on wildlife, I am aware now as I was not then that wild animals should be left alone and should forage for their own food. It is healthier for them, and does not disrupt their ability to survive in the wild. It isn’t like I will never see birds if I don’t feed them. They still show up. I even saw a juvenile falcon sitting on our deck once, which was surprising.
In a way, giving birds food is much like putting birds on welfare. The same dependency on handouts occurs. Don’t make the birds into welfare recipients!
Exactly!
See post #10....................
I am surprised your lawn isn’t being destroyed by racoons, squirrels, etc.
Matthew 6:26...................
We used to put up a bird feeder in Juneau but the bears kept tearing it down.
Food is food................
Tyrants set to ban all things that give the soul joy. That’s what tyrants do.
Tyrants don’t believe God is in control, so they have to control the masses’ every move.
Plus, they fund the studies by the scientists with the monies stolen from the very people they plan to oppress.
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