david wrote:
This really is the nanny state taking over. How ever did the birds
survive before we superior humans evolved to look after them?

Well in those days they didn't have to cope with all the stuff that
we put out for them thinking it will be good for them.

................. I doubt very much that birds consider our generosity.
We provide alternative food sources and let them choose what they will
sample and what they will not. I believe the original post in this
thread was about birds choosing to ignore what was being offered.

and helping
to make them dependant on us

.............. Don't fool yourself that wild life is dependent upon us.
Remove humanity from the planet and the wildlife will celebrate. Sure
we may help a few birds to survive a cold snap by providing
breadcrumbs or whatever but we are hardly responsible for the survival
of the species. What proportion of the population feed birds? - An
insignificant percentage.

Filling up the feeders probably gives us as much self gratification
and satisfaction at seeing the birds in the garden than it benefits
the wildlife in general.

--
ned