Bird Feeders & Storms

In the northeastern United States, summer weather has truly arrived. The days are longer, the weather warmer with rain and pop-up thunderstorms aplenty. Wild birds are in town for their spring migration. But with all of the wet and stormy weather around, what should you do with your feeding stations?

Will feeder poles attract lightning? The short answer is no. Bird feeder poles will not attract lightning. Feeder poles are usually not the tallest object in the area, so the chances of them being struck by lightning are no greater than that of a tree or telephone pole. Though made of metal, bird feeder poles and shepherds hooks staked into the ground will act the same as any other lightning rod. If struck, any electricity generated will travel right down the pole and into the ground where it dissipates. No need to fear, poles can stay up!

When it comes to actual bird feeders, common sense says remove them if you know bad weather is on its way. Unless securely fastened, strong winds can blow feeders off their mounts causing potential damage to the feeder or surrounding objects. Wet conditions are also not ideal for feeders that are uncovered or have open sides. Wet seeds can germinate, grow harmful bacteria, or sprout mold if left in moist conditions too long. Once the weather has cleared up, dispose of any wet food, allow feeders to fully dry, then replace with fresh seed. Finally, make sure to clean up and dispose of any seed below the feeder that might have fallen out.

When it comes to stormy weather, go with your gut. If taking feeder poles down puts your mind at ease, go for it. If it isn’t safe or you choose not to, that’s okay too. Quality feeding stations are built to withstand less than ideal conditions whether it be summer storms or winter blizzards. As long as they know where the food is supposed to be, migrating birds will always come flocking back.

By: Kristy Grejdus, Sales & Marketing Assistant