Should we feed birds only during the cold weather when natural foods are scarce or hidden by snow and ice? There are compelling reasons to keep birdfeeders full all year long. Primarily, the food we provide will help sustain energy levels of adult parents while they forage for other food for their young.

If you are concerned that the birds will become dependent on your feeder or will stop gathering insects, berries or sap during the breeding season, don’t be. Birds find varied and abundant natural foods to provide their young with necessary protein. 95% of birds can feed only insects to their hatchlings. Adults come to feeders just to supplement their own natural diets.

Sitting at my computer writing this, I am watching various finches, black-capped chickadees, a nuthatch, a rose-breasted grosbeak, even a too-large woodpecker trying to pilfer feed from the smaller birds. The entertainment and education they provide us are good reasons to feed them during the summer months, and the advantage is all ours. These birds connect us to the natural world. Take your laptop or newspaper outside and join them; the bird songs are priceless.

If you feed bread to wild birds, please be sure it is whole grain and preservative free. Breads that are not good for us are also not good for birds.

Don’t forget the orioles. I halve oranges and place them on the wire fences protecting my young trees from the deer. Adding a natural jelly to the orange segments makes them irresistible.

In the fall don’t be concerned that feeding birds will somehow interfere with migration. Their powerful migratory urge is triggered by day length; your feeder will not cause a bird to forego migration. It might just give a needed energy boost to visiting migratory species.

To avoid spreading disease, clean feeders regularly – biweekly according to www.allaboutbirds.org, a website associated with Cornell University. Wash in soapy water and soak in one part bleach to nine parts water. Rinse carefully, and then enjoy the avian show all year long.