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New England Gardening

bird feeders and bears

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

15 years ago

I've been lurking on the Project Feeder Watch threads, enjoying the photos and reports of sightings. I even went to the PFW website and really got inspired. I used to keep bird feeders at my previous home, but then black bears arrived in town. Several neighbors have a bear take feeders, so I took mine down. I know there are bears here as well, as I've seen them grazing on winter wheat in the next door corn field in early spring as well as visiting the field when the corn is ripe in late summer. So, I know the bears around here tend to go into hibernation around Dec. 1, and in April they re-emerge. Knowing my schedule I won't succeed in taking in and putting out feeders daily during warm weather. So . . . here's my question: Is it hard on the birds if I put out winter feeders and then take them in when the weather is warm enough for the bears? I know that early spring tends to be a leaner time for seed eating birds. If they have grown used to my feeders and I pull the feeders in, will they go hungry or are the food sources in the area (a mix of hardwood and softwood forest, old field shrubbery, and both pasture and cultivated field along with seed heads in my garden) likely to be enough, or will they find someone else with bird feeders to visit or should I just not start feeding them and only enjoy the birds that come to the garden as it is now. I have enjoyed having feeders in the past, but don't want to cause harm in the long run if I start feeding the birds and then stop in early spring. Does anyone have knowledge about this they can share?

Thanks!

Babs

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Comments (3)

claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
15 years ago
I have no first-hand knowledge here (we're short of black bears in SE MA, at least as far as I know), but I did find some links concerning the issue. Most of them just say take the feeders down by April 1 or into the house at night.

This site said:
"Complete your bird feeding activities by April 1 each year. Don't feed the birds until late fall (the birds will do just fine)."
NH Fish and Game Department

UNH Cooperative Extension

NH Audubon

You might contact NH Audubon and ask them (that's what I would do). And/or post the question on the Bird Watching Forum.

Contact
Headquarters:
N.H. Audubon
84 Silk Farm Road
Concord, NH 03301
603-224-9909
fax 603-226-0902
nha@nhaudubon.org

I'm glad I only have to deal with squirrels.
Good Luck,
Claire
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, Claire, both for answering my question and for researching local information sources. NH Audubon & NH F&G are both within about 20 minutes of my house. Silly me, I didn't even think to check local sources of info or even Google, just started with GW. ;>)

I actually don't mind the bears or the coyotes or any other critters. Having grown up in the suburbs, I like sharing the woods and fields with such a wonderful range of wildlife. I did stop walking in the woods in the really early morning, however, after I startled a large deer one morning in a brushy wooded area. It gave a loud snort, and in the instants before I saw it was a deer, I did have a brief moment of concern - what would I do if it were the bear?! In reality, I have more to be concerned about with the occasional moose, as the bears really don't want to meet people (I just have to make noise so they know I'm coming & they will take off) whereas the moose are big enough to not care and can be aggressive. (We still have those pesky red squirrels, though . . . )
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tree_oracle
15 years ago
Option #1: Don't feed the birds; eliminate bear problem

Option #2: Feed the birds; invite bears into your yard which may invite further destruction and potential bodily harm if you happen to surprise one around your house.

I'll take Option #1 please!

Birds are wild animals that will find something to eat whether you feed them or not. Boy, I thought I had a problem with squirrels getting into my feeders.

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