This wild bird feeding lark seems to be big business these days, at least in the UK. Many garden centres and pet supplies stores now sell a huge range of foods aimed at wild birds, by the sackful. We have a few bird feeders that we put out in the winter and it's fun to watch the birds make use of them.

But we have always believed it's best to let birds feed themselves most of the year when wild food is usually (or should be) freely available, and onloy feed them in winter when they have difficulty finding food themselves. I believe if we keep feeding them all year round, amusing as it is for us, we might be doing them more harm than good, as they will come to depend on us feeding them, and in effect become lazy or lose the ability to catch their own food.

Should I be concerned about this or not? Any views? (Sorry if this is getting off the topic of mealworms).