There are many more birds around the area than I see at my bird feeders. There are farm fields around me that provide scraps of food for birds and animals. There are also areas of foliage that went to seed last fall.
The one feeder that has peanuts is an oddity in this area. There are no naturally occurring sources of peanuts in the area. Years before I put out a peanut feeder I would hear the woodpeckers in the woods behind my house. So there was a natural food source for the woodpeckers in the area.
Now, do my feeders make it easier for birds to find food. I believe the answer is yes. I also believe it encourages more birds to be in the area too.
I do notice changes in local bird populations which leads me to believe there are factors beyond my bird feeders affecting bird populations.
Hive On!!
Mike