Cardinal families

I've been feeding the birds off my back deck for years now and have especially enjoyed watching the courtship rituals of the Cardinals and then the parents introducing the young to the feeders. I have no idea how many families I have but have counted 20 on this rare snow day.

My problem is that I must leave town for months at a time to seek work and will no longer be able to feed them. I leave in 2 weeks. Should I continue to replentish the feeders as normal (twice a day) or start tapering off? As it is, they line up and wait for me. Will they know how to forage for themselves?

Others that feed include titmice, juncos, chickadees, and finches.

I so hate having to do this but I have no choice, I must leave to find work and live alone. My area is quite rural and is mostly forested. Please tell me that they will be ok--I will really miss them.

Nice pic viola! I would gradually taper it off.

Good luck in your job hunt, Viola. Don't worry: there is probably someone (like me) living near you, who will fill in for you while you're gone. Blessings to you.

Spring is coming so they will soon be able to find their own food. Good Luck!

Taper off is the best advice.

Thanks very much y'all, it will hurt to taper off too. It's been bad enough when I can't get out there to refill the feeders quick enough, they sit in the trees and scold me. Can I just taper off in the last week? I wonder what the Cardinals will eat--there are just so many of them and I know they're usually very territorial. I do hope that neighbors will help out, but the closest are at least 1/4 mile away.

I would start it sooner than that. It's up to you though.

Better to start now..but natural food will soon be available. They will find seeds and bugs in the woods to eat.

K, just breakfast from now on. Thanks again :)