26 - Friday, Deceinber 4, 1992 — North Shore News

ENVIRONMENT |

Feeding winged companions good idea through winter

Peggy Trerdteit Whittaker

FROM FARMER’S Almanac predictions to our early ski season. all indica- tions are that this winter will be a cold one.

A study from the U.S. has shown that birds — or chickadees, in this casc the particular species that was researched —- have a

much better chance of surviving a ~

cold snap when they have access to a bird feeder.

During more moderate winters, feeding birds doesn’t increase their overal} survival rate to any great extent. But it does oring life and color to your garden, and does a great deal to cut down on the number oy insects and weeds you have to deal with in the other months of the year.

So whether this winter ends up being especially cold or not, put- ting out food and water for our winged companions is always a good idea.

While a study has also shown that birds don’t get ‘‘hooked’’ on feeders, and are able to return to a 100% natural food supply if the feeder is removed, it is a -gond idea to continue putting out focd at least through the early spring, when naral food sources are especially scarce.

it’s also important to clean platform feeders tegulurly, to discuurage the harboring of any disease organisms that could harm your flock.

The following bird tips are from

the Wild Birds Nature Shop, recently opened at 1190 Maring Dr. in North Vancouver. Owners John and Wendy Morion’s origi- nal Wild Birds shop is still located at J879 Oak St. in Vancouver. @ Birds are naturals at pest con- trot. Even during the winter, when there are not as many airborne in- sects to prey on, birds supplement a seed diet with insect eggs and larvae that they find in the crev- ices of tree bark.

ECO INFO

bird seed, remember that all seeds are not equal.

The oil-type sunflower seed is preferred by most local species, because it has a softer hull and provides more calories of energy than the striped sunflower seed.

Be careful you don't buy a mix- ture that contains a great deal of ‘*filler’? seed, such as milo, wheat, flax, or grain by-products. These filler seeds have littie nutritional value and end up as weeds in your garden,

“Yhistle,“" or niger seed, is health-promoting and a favorite of some finches.

Our G

If you are going to offer it, however, be sure to clean the feeder regularly, because damp thistle is too difficult for the birds to peck open.

If you are partial to Stellar’s

Jays and woodpeckers, set out some of the striped sunflower se is and peanuts. @ Suet is good for insect-eating birds, but can cause disease if it contains any blood. Raw fat, too, can be harmful if it turns rancid as a result of the fluctuating wintertime temperatures.

Rendered beef fat is good, or you may find it easiesi to use commercially prepared cakes or

‘tubs.

e@ Birds need to drink or bathe regardless of the temperature, and the birdbath you provide is especially important when other water sources are frozen.

If a bird’s feathers are to in- sulate properly, they must be clean to do the job. Hence the bathing. This is also why putting glycerine in the water to discourage freezing isn’t such a good idea. The glycerine mats the feathers, reducing their insulating ability, and if ingested can cause harm to the bird’s intestines.

Birds will ‘‘drink’’ snow if water isn’t available, but this lowers the dird’s body temperature and can actually cause dehydration. Much energy,

See Live page 288

Green Planet

Recipes for a cleaner, healthier environment

Gift Wrapping

Wrapping that. special gift can become more personal and meaningful if done ma

creative, environmentally friendly way.

* Wrap with newspapers, comics, magazines, wall

Paper scraps and old posters

« Cookie tins, shoe boxes, oven Mason jars can be

decorated and used to pack a present

“Al Fee "cieti Raper Products, 5 * GIFTS UNDER $15

%& Slationery Sets w Journals

& Cedar & Maple Fens / Pencils * Pressed tower Card Kits vaeco Espresso gz. § Cappuccino Machines §

* Giit-packaged Seeds Srarting from $41599

ve Handmade Paper Sets Largest selection on the North Shore

& Calendars / Appointment Books 980-0797

Earrings / Pins made from used paper OPEN 10:30-6, Sun. 1-5 1270 Marine Drive, N-Van. Next to Save-On-Foods

9 Lonsdate (close to Quay! { 988-9932 j What's a K’ vi MELLU? (Look for Sunday’s Vy Fashion Front Page)

an afternoon or evening of

CHAMBER MUSIC

Young Muzsician’s Concert featuring soloist Robin Screk, viola Performing Telemann’s Concerto fox viola da braccio, 2 violins and bass accompanied by the Pro Nova Ensemble

Works from Hayda, John Verrall, and Dvorak will also be played

Other guest artists include Aurora Felde, violin and Ann Stafford, bass

Sunday, December 6, 2:30 p.m. Mt. Seymour United Church, 1200 Parkgate, Nerth Vencouver

(Turn north off the Mt. Seymour Parkway just west of the Mount Seymour turneff) FREE ADMISSION

Presented by The Deep Cove Chamber Soloists Society

© Avoid using tinsel, ataninum foil, and glossy wrappicgpaper. Use plam paper and bright. ribpens

* Collect old greeting cards and cut them inte ¥ gift tags. Encourage others to do the same

© Use fabric révbons and bows, Start saving and reusing the Chrow away type bows Chat you receive

If you’re really keen on ridding your garden of insects, attract swallows or wrens with a nest box. These are the top two species for bug-eating.

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