We are lucky that we have a wild wooded 2 acre garden and have cultivated a lot of wildlife since we moved here in 2011. We feed all our garden birds every 2 days regular as clockwork and in all weathers. We have a range of feeders and because we have wild moorhens, pheasants and other ground feeding birds, I put corn, peanuts and seed down on the ground in several places too. I fed the birds as usual on Thursday always putting out enough food for 2 days but because I was away Saturday my neighbour was supposed to have fed them yesterday but she forgot. I got home today Sunday and seeing nothing in the feeders or on the ground I quickly went out and fed them. The moorhens and pheasants seem fine and all the crows and jackdaws and smaller birds but no sight of our beloved wild collared doves. There would have been enough food for them on Thursday and Friday but nothing on Saturday or today until I went out. Could they have died in that time? Really upset at my neighbour as I have never missed feeding the birds in over 13yrs.
Sorry no one has replied.
I understand your concern, and would hope by now, you have seen your feathered friends,.
I am sure they would have and also do already feed elsewhere, so fingers crossed.
Perhaps they have gone elsewhere to find food. Don't worry, you might have already seen them coming back to your garden by now.
I've been so worried but thankfully when putting more food out today, I saw them, they area dedicated pair bless them. Can't tell you how relieved I am, I thought I'd killed them off! :( Thank you!
Thank you! Yes, thankfully saw them today for the first time since Thursday, both ok. Phew! :)
So pleased for you Tallis, Thanks for updating,
do enjoy but never forget,they are WILD creatures,as such will always forage, and you provide an easy Table for them.
My mum has a pair that come back to her hedge every year so far, to nest. She can part the branches and see the eggs and growing youngsters and the birds don't bat an eyelid
Sparrowhawks. We live close to woods and love to feed the wide variety of birds that visit, especially the collared doves. There have been numerous pairs over the years wandering around our garden with their cute call and who weren't too afraid of us. But, this year has seen the last pair disappear. We used to blame cats until one year witnessed the hawks attack on the doves, leaving that all too familar, regular clump of feathers on the lawn. Its heartbreaking to witness and we miss the doves very much. We also have a bully-boy blackcap who attacks all the smaller birds feeding on the sunflower hearts (not the fat balls) but not wanting to feed himself. We note he doesn't attack the Robin! We also have an insect hotel which has been occupied on many occasion but is emptied regularly by the great tits using it as a feeding station! I wonder if I am doing more harm than good feeding our local wildlife.
It
s never a bad thing to support local wildlife, so I'd always say keep feeding them. Nature can be cruel, we have buzzards who live in the field behind our property and I've witnessed them predating in our garden including most heartbreakingly, killing one of the moorhens who was busy gathering food for their chicks. The only thing I'll say is that thankfully collared doves are not an endangered species and there are probably more of them in the UK than the sparrowhawks who are feeding on them. Keep doing what you're doing. :)