General Discussion

haele

(15,090 posts)

8. I remember a decade or so, there was a problem with commercial millet for birdseed...

Mon Jul 26, 2021, 12:06 PM

Jul 2021

Pesticide residue on millet and maybe thistle in some lots were damaging to small birds, and there were several recalls both for wild birdseed and pet birdseed - think it was Hartz and Katy. This was considered a processing issue, as the seeds weren't properly cleaned prior to being bagged.
The question is whether the current is in the processing environment or in the physical environment; perhaps by not cleaning out bird feeders regularly or climate change issues (increased fungal spores, pollution, bacteria due to warming).

Haele

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Baby birds are dropping dead :: 'Keep your feeders down,' experts say [View all] NurseJackie Jul 2021 OP

We've taken our feeders down. johnp3907 Jul 2021 #1

Same here. I miss watching them during the day. I also miss... NurseJackie Jul 2021 #2

Eastern North Carolina, no, I don't have any bird feeders, marie999 Jul 2021 #3

Sounds fun! I'm glad you haven't seen any problems. It appears to be localized in the DC/MD/VA area... NurseJackie Jul 2021 #4

we've taken down feeders except for hummingbirds nt Fresh_Start Jul 2021 #5

I can't get hummingbirds to visit. The only thing my hummingbird feeders attracted... NurseJackie Jul 2021 #7

I have my feeder hanging from a garden shepards hook. Niagara Jul 2021 #31

I used a shepherd's hook also... but I never thought of treating it to deter the ants. NurseJackie Jul 2021 #33

Same here. tosh Jul 2021 #17

Odd, we have a ton of Robins here and I never see them on a bird feeder. TheBlackAdder Jul 2021 #6

Our robins stick to the ground... they like bugs and worms. NurseJackie Jul 2021 #9

Yep. Makes me wonder if it's water-born. TheBlackAdder Jul 2021 #11

I remember a decade or so, there was a problem with commercial millet for birdseed... haele Jul 2021 #8

You make an excellent point about keeping the feeders clean... NurseJackie Jul 2021 #10

Same here. The thistle feeder is emptied every 2-3 days, the fruit & nut mix feeder every 4-5 days. TheBlackAdder Jul 2021 #13

That Seems Wise ProfessorGAC Jul 2021 #15

I am in Washington and when we first learned of this last year cilla4progress Jul 2021 #12

I know. I hate the thought that I may have contributed to the problem. NurseJackie Jul 2021 #14

I took my birdfeeder down Peachhead22 Jul 2021 #16

I miss the cardinals too. It's quiet around here when they're gone. NurseJackie Jul 2021 #18

My 40 acres has lots of food sources for our feathered friends. Talitha Jul 2021 #19

Yikes! We've never had any bears here... but we do have: NurseJackie Jul 2021 #21

I'm in NOVA, and this is the first I've heard of this. 11 Bravo Jul 2021 #20

Thank you! (Tell your neighbors.) NurseJackie Jul 2021 #22

Will do! 11 Bravo Jul 2021 #23

Our feeders have been down for most of a month, though. Ms. Toad Jul 2021 #24

I hope the experts find out what it is. NurseJackie Jul 2021 #25

I have a birdfeeder I never fill iemanja Jul 2021 #26

My kitty loves to catch birds. A feeder is a trap for birds in my yard. librechik Jul 2021 #27

My feeders are wide open and cleaned daily. I also provide water with all these high temps. I have KewlKat Jul 2021 #28

People are taking the feeders down all across the country maxsolomon Jul 2021 #29

I have a hummingbird feeder. Niagara Jul 2021 #30

I had a bird feeder until the drought here GusBob Jul 2021 #32

All of our feeders are down, including hummingbird and oriole. Greybnk48 Jul 2021 #34