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Late summer lack of garden birds?

IanH
21/07/2010 20:43

We often get asked where have all the birds gone in the late summer and autumn months. Many people fear the worst or think they have done something to put them off. I thought i would take this chance to point out a few things to remember about wild birds at this time of year that might explain why they can be harder to spot.

  • Late summer/autumn is moulting time, birds shed and re-grow their feathers over a number of weeks. During this time they will try to stay out of harms way as much as possible, often staying in dense cover. They will reappear in shiny new plumage later in the season.
  • Many birds are finishing their breeding activities, moving out of their breeding territories and joining feeding flocks in the wider countryside. You may already be seeing the mixed flocks of starling juv's and adults as well as mixed tit flocks and mixed parties of finches. These groups stay together for safety in numbers and will be highly mobile on their search for natural food.
  • Many birds will leave garden feeders behind in the search for naturally occuring foods that are vital to survival. The seeds, nuts, fruit, insects and indeed the birds themselves are all at their highest abundance in the next couple of months. Bird need to move to areas where they can exploit these natural resources in order to prepare themselves physically for the winter ahead or the long migrations many birds will make.

We recommend feeding through the next few months as certain resident birds and those passing through may still find garden bird food useful. It is worth keeping feeder hygiene at a high level and maybe reduce the food being put out if it does go quiet so that little is wasted.

Warden Intern at Otmoor.

  • 30/08/2010 19:09 in reply to Ponty Cyclops

    Now I know where my birds have gone,they are in other peoples gardens!!!!!

    Can I have some back soon please!

    Rachel

    It's not always easy to hug a hedgehog.

    But that doesn't mean you shouldn't.

  • 30/08/2010 19:24 in reply to madpenguin

    I promise to talk sternly to them when I get home! ;o)

    They are eating me out of house and home .. and I've only been living there a week! ;o)

    Ant

    "IT IS SAID THAT LIFE FLASHES BEFORE YOUR EYES BEFORE YOU DIE. THAT IS TRUE, IT'S CALLED LIVING."
    Death - Terry Pratchett (The Last Continent).

  • 30/08/2010 19:33 in reply to Ponty Cyclops

    Thank you Ponty it will be much appreciated!

    Just hope they listen to you!!!!!

    It's not always easy to hug a hedgehog.

    But that doesn't mean you shouldn't.

  • 30/08/2010 19:35 in reply to madpenguin

    Hi Rachel,

    All my starlings are now winging their way to the Isle of Wight - I gave them a map!!!!!

    Cheers, Linda.

    See my photos on Flickr

  • 30/08/2010 19:40 in reply to Sparrow

    Hi Sparrow

    I will keep a look out for them!

    I'll let you know when they arrive!

    Rachel

    It's not always easy to hug a hedgehog.

    But that doesn't mean you shouldn't.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 30/08/2010 20:23 in reply to madpenguin

    Hi Rachel

    I will send some to you... as my Starlings are eating me out of house and home at the moment.

    They consumed one Fat coconut in one morning LOL

    Know how you feel Ant!

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

  • 30/08/2010 23:14 in reply to Anonymous

    Glad I have read this thread, it explains a lot.

    Very little Bird activity in my Garden these past  few weeks, now I know why.  They have all moved to South Wales.   I mean they are moulting, and in the countryside eating berries.

     

    Come back soon, I've loads of Bird Food that needs seeing to.!

  • 12/09/2010 15:47 in reply to juno

    Hi all

    Still no birds for me I'm afraid!!

    I have still got one woodpigeon who hangs about as if he shouldn't really be there!

    My Pyracantha bushes are full of nice red berries but no blackbirds in sight.

    My hedgehog has made a return after a few days and is now using the newly cleaned out and freshly bedded house.

    Still I must have patience I suppose!

    Rachel

    It's not always easy to hug a hedgehog.

    But that doesn't mean you shouldn't.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 12/09/2010 16:37 in reply to madpenguin

    Hi Rachel

    Sorry to hear about the lack of birds with yourself as it is.

    Well we are picking up in the bird department since we moved into this house in June this year.

    We have

    3 Dunnocks.

    A flock of Starlings,

    A flock of Sparrows,

    2 Blackbirds,

    2 woodpigeons,

    2 Collared Doves,

    1 Robin

    The food and the position of the bird table is a magnet for the birds.  The bush behind the bird table the Sparrows love and they spend all day jumping onto the table have a nibble and they they disappear into the bush behind once more.

    The Dunnocks love the mini pottery bird bath we have and I have seen the lttle birds happily bathing in 2's and 3's

    Really pleased that the bird have settled here and are used to us now.

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

  • 02/10/2010 20:02 in reply to Anonymous

    Hi all

    Now the 2nd of October and still very few birds.

    Pyracantha bushes and Cotoneaster are all full of berries but no takers.

    Starlings came once and then left.

    My 'winter' robin is all I have at the moment.

    Where are all the birds?

    Just noticed my neighbour over the road has put out a brand new bird table in the front garden positively dripping with bird goodies,maybe that will attract something!

    Rachel

    It's not always easy to hug a hedgehog.

    But that doesn't mean you shouldn't.