Its difficult to say, are you 100% positive there is no bird activity, or is they're not around when you are. It might be the birds are still recovering from the summer, along with the tiring of the breeding season, and whilst in a post-breeding moult, they may be keeping a low profile.

East Anglia has recently had restrictions imposed. See the link below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-63048231

Mike

Flickr Peak Rambler

My wife and I spend some time looking into the garden so I'm pretty sure that there is very little activity. Besides I used to fill the feeders about every 8 - 10 days, Now I've only filled them once since June. The dearth of Blackbirds seems to reach further than my garden as I have seen very few in the locality.
Is it still safe to feed birds or could it help the disease to spread if an infected bird uses the feeders?

In reply to Hoppy:

Hoppy said:

My wife and I spend some time looking into the garden so I'm pretty sure that there is very little activity. Besides I used to fill the feeders about every 8 - 10 days, Now I've only filled them once since June. The dearth of Blackbirds seems to reach further than my garden as I have seen very few in the locality.

Is it still safe to feed birds or could it help the disease to spread if an infected bird uses the feeders?

First, my apologies for the delayed reply, I've been a bit busy with hospital visits since returning from holiday.

Though it's autumn, there's still an abundance of alternative food sources, available for many birds, and while I'm not saying there isn't an issue, there are many other reasons why there is a lack of bird activity in the garden. Add to that, with the breeding season effectively over for 2022, many birds will be recuperating.

Mike

Flickr Peak Rambler

I remember people writing/asking about a lack of blackbirds last year. I didn't notice any drop in numbers. This year, it's clear there has been a drop in this area. Bird flu....possibly. Terrible breeding season....almost certainly.

We too have had no blackbird sightings since spring 2022. They just disappeared. For years we have had 5 or 6 birds regularly visiting the garden all year round, here in Cambridge, feeding on, amongst other things, apples that I leave on the lawn. Last week we were surprised to see one male bird in the garden. We wondered whether it could be the Usutu virus, that apparently affects blackbirds quite badly?

Just the opposite in our area,we have an increase in numbers. Thrse semed to arrive with the influx of wintering Thrushes which arrive every yesr around this time

Pete

Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can

The unseasonable mild weather is playing a big part. Might not be entire story, but that and the poor breeding season of species like blackbirds due to heatwave & drought are major factors IMO. Garden here is full of blackbirds and thrushes due to loads of apples and berries.