We go away for weeks on end over winter, should I feed birds during the few weeks we are back or leave the feeders empty until we return in spring so they don’t become too dependent??
Without knowing the general details of your local environment, it is difficult to give a more definitive answer. Also, it will depend on what part of winter you're home. if you're at home for the later part of winter, ie January and February, they are often the colder months whereas December is often milder.
Food will be less available during winter, but often birds will find alternative food sources, but often a little help will go a long way.
One determining factor to keep in mind, and this is all year through, not just winter, but will most likely be more prevalent as feeders will become more popular with reduced food availability, is AVIAN FLU.
Avian flu hasn't gone away, it just isn't getting coverage it has been getting, so regular cleaning of the feeders is probably more important than ever, along with observations of bird activity, not just in your garden or surrounding gardens, but in your area, generally.
The risk will be considerably higher as more birds congregate and become more densely populated in smaller areas.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
At the moment the weather is comparatively mild, so there is still an abundance of natural foods about, so they won't need to be on the feeders. I've currently got one sunflower heart feeder out, and am waiting for the frosty weather to start before putting any more feeders out. Others feed all year round, and there is certainly plenty of debate about it.
Also, as this is an open forum, you may wish to change your user name from your email address in case of being spammed :o)