Josie wrote:
Message from ex WGS Hamm [...]
Bead will swell and fill a baby's crop so
that it won't beg for the food it really needs to survive.

Again, I'd be interested in your sources.

Josie, this is important, so let's not get into one of those
tit-for-tat things. Have a look at the RSPB's advice at:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/gardens/whaty...en_to_feed.asp

I'd rate them quite a reliable source of information.

The birds may not eat the blue slug pellets, but they will eat the
slugs which have eaten the pellets and still be poisoned.

Sources? None of the birds in my garden appear to be remotely
interested in slugs, unfortunately.

Well, it's true that not all birds will eat slugs; but some do. I
think of thrushes (mentioned below by Franz), and ducks.

There is a problem with declining thrush populations in some places.
This may or may not be connected with the heavy use of
slug-pellets -- I just don't know -- but it's something to think
about.

Mike.