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Thread: Where are all the birds?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    386

    Default Where are all the birds?

    I've noticed over this winter that the birds coming to the garden appear to be dwindling. Today, the seed feeders are lying untouched, the peanuts are going down very slowly and there's barely a dent in the fatballs. Usually at this time of year I canny keep them filled!
    This morning it's quite eerie. I've only seen one bluetit.
    I could always rely on a flock of pidgeons mopping up the seeds on the ground but even they have deserted me.
    I have seen the crow and a bird of prey ? which one, picking off smaller birds during the very bad days but surely they couldn't have wiped out the entire population.
    Is it just me or is anyone else experiencing this strange situation?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Watten
    Posts
    4,575

    Default

    My garden is filling up!
    I still cant keep the wee birds in sunflower hearts and even the wild bird food they were not fussed on before the snow is getting eaten fast!
    I ran out of fat balls....they were eating 7 a day at one point!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    7,067

    Default

    Like Dadie my garden is usually full of birds and I go through bird food really fast.

    However, it's been eerily quiet these past few days and suspect it might be because there is a Sparrow Hawk around!
    Either that or with the milder weather they are getting enough worms etc to fill them up.

    I really miss seeing them and listening to them so hope they come back soon!
    "Until one has loved an animal part of their soul remains unawakened"

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Castletown
    Posts
    640

    Default

    I have more and more birds visiting the garden every day, have a huge variety of birds and cant keep filling the feeders or the bird tables up fast enough.....

    K

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Caithness
    Posts
    5,424

    Default

    Mine seem to appear and disapear according to what the weather is doing although there are the regulars that are always about all year.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    1,068

    Default

    Plenty birds here with me, can hardly keep them in food

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    386

    Default

    I fear this could be the culprit right enough. He certainly made short work of the blackbird at the bottom of my garden. Dont feel so good about providing a feeding station for him

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Eur...whawk#p00by6r6

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    7,067

    Default

    I am not so sure now that it is the sparrow hawk keeping the birds away from my garden as they usually return in quite a short time.

    I am hoping it's just the better weather meaning they are getting natural food and that they'll be back soon. I really miss them!
    "Until one has loved an animal part of their soul remains unawakened"

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Dunnet
    Posts
    155

    Default Where are all the birds?

    I have also noticed there have been fewer birds about recently but I have seen this chap about everyday for the past fortnight ~ he landed on the garden hedge right outside our bedroom window on Sunday morning!
    Attachment 8330Attachment 8331
    (quality of photos not good as my husband did not have time to set up the camera properly!)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Out of Caithness... sadly
    Posts
    2,772

    Default

    I have noticed that this question gets posted about this time each year. I think that we are in a change-over phase at this time. Also, many birds are starting to think about mating and may be concentrating on that rather than feeding in out gardens - there are nesting spots to suss out, terratories to negotiate, etc.
    "Step sideways, pause and study those around you. You will learn a great deal."

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