We’ll discuss the big picture (what happens when we feed birds, the way that feeding changes bird communities, the risk of disease, the benefits and problems) and explore the practicalities of feeding the birds at your table.Īfter a break, we will explore the pros and cons of feeding wild birds, and offer sensible and practical suggestions so feeding doesn’t only benefit us, but benefits the birds themselves. Professor Jones draws on an impressive knowledge of the latest scientific findings as well as his own personal knowledge, to reflect and explain the modern practice of bird feeding. Professor Jones has recently published two books on this topic: The Birds At My Table (2018) and Feeding The Birds At Your Table (2019).

He’s also a passionate bird feeder who is particularly interested in the way that people interact with nature – including how urbanisation affects wildlife, the conflicts we have with certain species (magpies, crows, brush-turkeys) and most recently, the highly controversial topic of wild bird feeding. About the speakersīased at Griffith University, Professor Jones is an urban ecology expert. Another way of describing all this activity is as an unplanned ecological experiment on an unbelievably large scale. The international bird seed industry is huge and most of the seed is gown in India or Africa. Half the citizens of Australia, the UK, and the US feed birds, whether its by planting trees that attract them, putting food out on apartment balconies, setting up birds baths and feeders, or by unwittingly leaving scraps behind in parks.

With presenters selected primarily on their ability to effectively communicate locally-relevant science in an engaging and non-technical manner, SciPub is held in an informal setting (pub, club or bowlo) so that scientists, aspiring scientists, and non-scientists can learn, discuss and think critically about hot topics in science, with a bevvy in hand and smile on their dial.įor our first SciPub foray into Ballina, Professor Darryl Jones will reveal that what at first seems to be a niche topic - humans feeding wild birds - is in fact something a disproportionate number of us do. Delivering science education in a relaxed, social and fun environment, the Science Hub’s popular Science in the Pub events share current science from Australian researchers and local experts.

On 17 October, the Northern Rivers Science Hub is bringing its well-loved Lismore-based science engagement event to Ballina for the first time. Upon the practice of feeding native animals, an increasing number of peopleĭerive great enjoyment from inviting the birds round for a meal. Comes to wild birds, ‘to feed or not to feed’ is an enduring urban ethical

Feeding the birds at your table