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would be wastef
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Neonicotinoids are systemic pesticides. This means treated seeds grow into p=
lants with the chemicals incorporated into the tissue, nectar, pollen and se=
eds. This is why they are such effective insecticides. The chemical levels a=
re lower than in the original preserved seeds so birds do not die immediatel=
y. However the toxic effect is bioaccumulative and also compromises immune s=
ystems and reproductive rates. Insects disappearing are a huge factor since 9=
0+% of birds feed insects to their young. However this does not preclude us f=
rom being concerned and careful about what we put into our bird feeders. We c=
an do more harm than good and have!
With kindest regards
Mary (Macaulay), P.Eng.
Queen Bee, Insect Recovery Project
Owner, Remember Adventures
Pedal Buggy & snowshoe rentals, picnics, great bird friendly coffee, breakfa=
st & pasta, pollinator meadow, games & more!!=20
(Open Wed to Sunday: 8:30 am)
365 Main Street & Station Road
Trans-Canada Trail
Tatamagouche
RememberAdventures.ca & InsectRecovery.org
1-902-657-0054
Twitter @RememberTata & @InsectRecovery
> On Apr 6, 2016, at 9:47 PM, N Robinson <nrobbyn@gmail.com> wrote:
>=20
> Hello all,
>=20
> I asked Richard Gregson, Wildlife Biologist and Toxicologic Pathologist, a=
nd Past-President of Bird Protection Quebec, about this question. He points=
out that the main reason for the decline in numbers of Starlings and other i=
nsect-eating birds is the decline in insects. =20
>=20
> He writes: =20
>=20
> "This has come up more than once recently.=20
>=20
> Almost all bird seed is sold at the cheap end of the market and there is l=
ittle information about sources. Some is grown on this continent, some is su=
rplus to agricultural or food requirements and some is imported. If there wa=
s a serious problem we would be seeing a lot of dead birds around the feeder=
s and that is not the case.=20
>=20
> Remember that neonicotinoid and other seed treatments are only used on see=
d to be planted and it would be wasteful and expensive for seed producers to=
treat seed for the bird food trade - no doubt some small amounts of treated=
seed gets into the supply chain, but I would suggest the amount is small.=20=
>=20
> There have been cases of lawn seed companies treating seed with substances=
that would deter pests from eating them while in storage but that is a whol=
ly different issue and one that is apparently less so today and the main com=
pany involved stopped doing this in 2008.=20
>=20
> There are farms that grow seed specifically for the bird food trade but th=
ose are producing a high-end product for those prepared to pay for it so the=
amounts are relatively small - most people buy the cheap stuff from the sup=
ermarket and don't give a thought to its provenance. Finally, seeds grown fr=
om treated seeds do not contain the neonicotinoid at all or to any significa=
nt amount.=20
>=20
> The biggest problem for the Starlings and for other birds is that simply t=
here are fewer insects in the world than there used to be. It's the insects t=
hat are being killed off by these substances; the birds suffer indirectly by=
not being able to find all they need. Other factors come in too - climate c=
hange =3D warmer environment =3D insects hatching early and out of sync with=
birds laying eggs. Stuff like that."
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>> On Wed, Apr 6, 2016 at 2:44 PM, Ian McLaren <I.A.McLaren@dal.ca> wrote:
>> All:
>>=20
>> While it might be tempting to invoke neonicotinoids in the decline of Sta=
rlings, the Black-capped Chickadee, surely the feeder seed-eater par excelle=
nce, has increased here almost five-fold per CBC party-hour during the same p=
eriod, and others (Mourning Dove, N. Cardinal) have spread to and increased h=
ere, doubtless assisted by winter feeding.
>>=20
>> Some have argued that Starlings thrived on garbage - now better managed -=
so maybe my initial
>> 'concern' was misplaced.
>>=20
>> Ian McLaren
>> ________________________________________
>> From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca <naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca> on be=
half of John and Nhung <nhungjohn@eastlink.ca>
>> Sent: April 6, 2016 2:30 PM
>> To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
>> Subject: RE: [NatureNS] starlings - bird feed seed treatment
>>=20
>> Thanks, folks, for starting this discussion.
>>=20
>> I'd like to know a lot more about this, in an easily-digested way!
>>=20
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca=
]
>> On Behalf Of Stephen Shaw
>> Sent: April 6, 2016 1:55 PM
>> To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
>> Subject: Re: [NatureNS] starlings - bird feed seed treatment
>>=20
>> Hi Mary,
>> But who certifies that seeds are neonic-free? Reading the very brief ABC=
>> link that you quote, ABC says that they have requested assurance from the=
>> two largest seed producers that their products are neonicotinoid-free. A=
BC
>> obviously has not received such assurances (yet?) or would have said so, s=
o
>> they can't clarify this issue. Reading the back of a couple of my seed
>> bags, even the origin of the seeds is not clear/vague ('domestic and
>> imported', original supplier not given), and says nothing about pesticide=
>> content.
>>=20
>> Surprising to me, the ABC link says that eating a single treated seed is
>> sufficient to kill a bird, but gives no supporting information/references=
.
>> You obviously follow this more than most of us - is this level of
>> sensitivity well established, and are there supporting links/references?
>> Vertebrates are allegedly much less sensitive to such pesticides than are=
>> some invertebrates (insects), but perhaps that is not true for neonics?
>> Steve (Hfx)
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>> On Apr 6, 2016, at 11:09 AM, Mary Macaulay <marymacaulay@hotmail.com> wro=
te:
>>=20
>> > I have also noticed a precipitous drop in starlings. Not only do they
>> > need insects in the spring to feed their young but they're also very
>> > dependent on backyard feeders. Bird seed is not safe for birds anymore
>> > unless certified to be so. The component seeds are mostly grown using
>> > neinicotinoid seed treatments. Here's a link to the American Bird
>> > Conservancy's warning
>> > https://abcbirds.org/article/conservation-group-seeks-assurance-that-w
>> > ild-bird-seed-products-are-pesticide-free/
>> >
>> > With kindest regards
>> >
>> > Mary (Macaulay), P.Eng.
>> >