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Birding/Goldfinch Wineter Feeding

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 11/22/2008


Question
I have niger seed feeders for the local goldfinches (Delaware). I understand that they go south for the winter. The nights have gone below freezing here and we have had snow flurries. Am I keeping the birds further north than they should be by refilling the feeders? When should I bring in the feeders for the winter?

Answer
It is nice of you to be concerned. Yes, some of them do go south (they just arrived here in NE OK last week), but some of them do stay. Many studies have shown that regardless of feeder activity most birds get 80% of their food from other sources, and what you do will not influence their actions. I keep my feeders (black oil sunflower seeds and suet blocks) up all year. I only put up the niger feeders when the Goldfinches arrive and I take them down when they leave in the spring (the ungrateful wretches!). Do not feed the cheap and small seed mixes as these will attract the alien killer house sparrows. If you are interested in Bluebirds send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book. Bluebird Bob.

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Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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