I have a feeder and feed the birds most of the year, during the growing season I only add feed occasionally, just enough to keep them interested, lots of natural food around. Once fall starts the feeder is always full and I have a stead stream of birds. Over the last 5 or so years the birds seem to stop coming to the feeder after the first snow, only a few show up now and then.
I contacted a lady who does a weekly wild bird article in the local paper. She said there has been an increase in raptures in the area (Durham region) an they might be feeding on the birds. They come south where there is less snow to find food.
Sure enough I was in the back yard when I saw a hawk on the driveway. It hopped into the ceder hedge, this is where sparrows love to hide. I waited a minute and went to the hedge it took off from the other side. I was amazed how a bird that size could move through the heavy under growth of the hedge.
I contacted the bird lady again and from the description I gave her she said it was a Cooper's Hawk. She said it feeds on birds and squirrels.
So not knowing it I've been fattening up the birds and squirrels for the hawks. I don't like to see loss of the birds, thats nature at work. However it sure would be fun to see a hawk put the run on a squirrel.
