Will I harm my birds?

Quite a few birds visit our garden so I have to refill several feeders each day.  I'm worried that when I go on holiday, especially in the winter, these birds will find life very tough.

Is there anything I can do to avoid this?  maybe by reducing the amount of feed gradually so that they get used to finding food elsewhere?

Thanks

Do you not have friendly neighbours who would undertake to feed the birds while you are away if you leave them enough supplies???

Unfortunately not.  We'll be away for a month and the feeders are difficult to get to so it's a lot to ask of a neighbour.

Hi Martc

I think they will be ok while you're away, i would like to bet you're not the only one in your area feeding birds, so they will find another source and there will always be their natural food, hope you're going somewhere nice.

I suppose there are other feeders, but we're next to apartment blocks so I'm not sure.  Would the birds be able to find food naturally if necessary?

Thanks - and yes, hopefully the weather will be better there!

Yep they will find their natural food i don't think any of the birds are totally dependant on any of us that feed them, you could always start cutting down a couple of weeks before you go so you don't suddenly stop.

Hi Martc, Doggie is on to something here. Birds frequent a number of gardens throughout the day to find food and your garden is one of them. If one of their regular haunts is "out of action" so to speak, they will move onto the next and so on. Birds aren't daft and will always go to where there is food. Once your back from your holidays, you'll soon find that they will gradually return.

Thanks - I didn't want the worry about the hungry birds to spoil my holiday.