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Jean B.[_1_]

wrote:
> On Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:47:38 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:
>
>
>>>
>> Same here. They really NEED to have their food. I can't imagine why
>> this guy said what he did. I sure hope he didn't convince anyone to put
>> away their feeders.
>>
>> I do have a question, which someone might be able to answer. One is
>> often told (or reads) that birds need water in the winter. BUT how on
>> earth did the birds survive before man started putting out water for
>> them? Obviously the birds DID survive without man putting it out. What
>> am I missing here?
>
> They drink from puddles, I have seen them doing that and I think they
> get moisture off blades of grass as well when times are hard.

But in the winter, puddles are apt to be laced with salt. And the
grass, at least now, is covered with snow. Obviously birds did survive
the winter. Hmmm. Maybe the salt complicates things?
>>
>> (And I do view food differently because I have been feeding the birds
>> and figure they make their nest near sources of food and thus become
>> reliant on those sources.)
>
> I am certain the old trees near me get more woodpeckers because I feed
> during the summer as well and it's a short flight between my balcony
> and the trees. The woodpeckers are probably my favourite, they become
> the most friendly and by mid-summer do not fly off just because I go
> out there.

I love my woodpeckers! I have two feeders and foods that they
particularly like: blueberry pellets (which never attracted
blueberries) and a fruit-nut blend. Both of these are in peanut
feeders. Now I can't find more of those feeders. The ones I DO see are
just wire mesh. The ones I have are metal with round holes in it.