Where are the birds ?
We've noticed a very strange thing.
Other than the usual noisy crowds of wood pigeons and collared doves, we haven't had a single bird of any kind visit our normally popular garden, birdbath and table for the past five days ! Nothing, not a one, zilch, not even starlings. Up till now our most prolific visitor this year were blackbirds which we were seeing in increasing quantities, far outdoing the blue tits and great tits which we noticed were in decline. This year we noticed that thrushes, house sparrows and wrens were increasing whilst robins were also in decline. And we simply can't remember the last time we saw any kind of finch. Chaffinches were always the most common in our garden here in mid-Notts......but now ???? What on earth is happening ? Is there some sort of bird epidemic about ? Whets your experience in your area ? capstan |
I also live in Nottingham, I tend not to feed them that much in summer ,just
leave them water.So I haven't seen much activity.I saw a robin & blue tit last week.But mainly wood pigeons & doves.And the odd black bird darting around looking for worms in the morning on the grass.I suppose they are finding food from all the bugs that are about this time of year ,also farmers crops etc. Cheers Keith "capstan" wrote in message ... We've noticed a very strange thing. Other than the usual noisy crowds of wood pigeons and collared doves, we haven't had a single bird of any kind visit our normally popular garden, birdbath and table for the past five days ! Nothing, not a one, zilch, not even starlings. Up till now our most prolific visitor this year were blackbirds which we were seeing in increasing quantities, far outdoing the blue tits and great tits which we noticed were in decline. This year we noticed that thrushes, house sparrows and wrens were increasing whilst robins were also in decline. And we simply can't remember the last time we saw any kind of finch. Chaffinches were always the most common in our garden here in mid-Notts......but now ???? What on earth is happening ? Is there some sort of bird epidemic about ? Whets your experience in your area ? capstan |
"Malcolm" wrote in message ... In article , capstan writes We've noticed a very strange thing. Other than the usual noisy crowds of wood pigeons and collared doves, we haven't had a single bird of any kind visit our normally popular garden, birdbath and table for the past five days ! Nothing, not a one, zilch, not even starlings. Up till now our most prolific visitor this year were blackbirds which we were seeing in increasing quantities, far outdoing the blue tits and great tits which we noticed were in decline. This year we noticed that thrushes, house sparrows and wrens were increasing whilst robins were also in decline. And we simply can't remember the last time we saw any kind of finch. Chaffinches were always the most common in our garden here in mid-Notts......but now ???? What on earth is happening ? Is there some sort of bird epidemic about ? Whets your experience in your area ? You don't say where you are, but is there grain harvesting going on around you? If so, I suspect the wood pigeons and collared doves are on the stubbles gleaning the spilt grain and weed seeds. The smaller birds will be doing very nicely on the flush of fruits and seeds which are also available to them at this time of year. -- Malcolm Err.....notice I did say we are in mid-Nottinghamshire and that pigeons and doves were the ONLY birds to visit us. capstan. |
We've noticed a very strange thing. Other than the usual noisy crowds of wood pigeons and collared doves, we haven't had a single bird of any kind visit our normally popular garden, birdbath and table for the past five days ! Nothing, not a one, zilch, not even starlings. Up till now our most prolific visitor this year were blackbirds which we were seeing in increasing quantities, far outdoing the blue tits and great tits which we noticed were in decline. This year we noticed that thrushes, house sparrows and wrens were increasing whilst robins were also in decline. And we simply can't remember the last time we saw any kind of finch. Chaffinches were always the most common in our garden here in mid-Notts......but now ???? What on earth is happening ? Is there some sort of bird epidemic about ? Whets your experience in your area ? capstan Our experience is strangely different: a great decline in all large birds, the blackbirds, thrushes, starlings, sparrows, green and goldfinches have all more or less disappeared, but about 10 days ago, literally overnight, the tits (great, blue, coal) have descended on the sunflower seeds and they are gobbling like there's no tomorrow: consumption is suddenly up more than 400 per cent! I was beginning to wonder whether they know something we don't know: is some great cataclysm coming in this area? -- Klara, Gatwick basin |
hi
Late August and September is an unusual time for birds feeding as there are a lot of birds moving around. The migrants are moving towards the coast and are stocking up on food in readiness for their journey. Northern migrants (Scandanavia) are starting to move through the UK. Residents (tits, finches and starlings) are starting to flock together and are taking advantage of harvesting windfalls. There are more birds around at this time of year than at any other time - after a full breeding season and before the high mortalities of migration and Winter. Once this all settles down, and food becomes harder to find, they will start to move back into the gardens for food. I suspect that what you are seeing is quite normal for this time of year. regards Lol "Klara" wrote in message ... We've noticed a very strange thing. Other than the usual noisy crowds of wood pigeons and collared doves, we haven't had a single bird of any kind visit our normally popular garden, birdbath and table for the past five days ! Nothing, not a one, zilch, not even starlings. Up till now our most prolific visitor this year were blackbirds which we were seeing in increasing quantities, far outdoing the blue tits and great tits which we noticed were in decline. This year we noticed that thrushes, house sparrows and wrens were increasing whilst robins were also in decline. And we simply can't remember the last time we saw any kind of finch. Chaffinches were always the most common in our garden here in mid-Notts......but now ???? What on earth is happening ? Is there some sort of bird epidemic about ? Whets your experience in your area ? capstan Our experience is strangely different: a great decline in all large birds, the blackbirds, thrushes, starlings, sparrows, green and goldfinches have all more or less disappeared, but about 10 days ago, literally overnight, the tits (great, blue, coal) have descended on the sunflower seeds and they are gobbling like there's no tomorrow: consumption is suddenly up more than 400 per cent! I was beginning to wonder whether they know something we don't know: is some great cataclysm coming in this area? -- Klara, Gatwick basin |
In message , Lol
writes hi Late August and September is an unusual time for birds feeding as there are a lot of birds moving around. The migrants are moving towards the coast and are stocking up on food in readiness for their journey. Northern migrants (Scandanavia) are starting to move through the UK. Residents (tits, finches and starlings) are starting to flock together and are taking advantage of harvesting windfalls. There are more birds around at this time of year than at any other time - after a full breeding season and before the high mortalities of migration and Winter. Once this all settles down, and food becomes harder to find, they will start to move back into the gardens for food. I suspect that what you are seeing is quite normal for this time of year. regards Lol Well, that's what I thought - which is why I'm amazed that all the tits are gobbling like there's no tomorrow ... -- Klara, Gatwick basin |
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