Up until a few weeks ago, we had several pairs of Blackbrids and their families visiting our garden. We haven't seen or heard any for a few weeks now. Have they raised all their broods and gone elsewhere?
I have noticed the same thing here too.
My understanding is that it is because they are moulting and like to keep a low key until the process is done and dusted.
Must be like having no clothes for a while LOL.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Ours all did the same - two young blackbirds have remained living under a cabbage palm surrounded by shrubs and pop out for food especially raisins but do not go far - they are still rufus in colour so assume they will stay shy until they have their adult plumage. One or two adults are still feeding but look very tatty - one has actually had a bald patch on its head for about a week. They are a prime target for Sparrowhawks here so will keep hidden until they have finished their moult and are strong in flight to escape danger. Singing also stops at this time so that they do not draw attention to themselves. Robins and Dunnocks which are now in their new winter coats have been singing to me this afternoon whilst I have been gardening!
Hi Lucybob
I wish i knew where our birds are hiding in our garden. We have some dense scrubbery at the end of the back garden so it could it being a good place for the birds to hide.
Poor Mr B and his bald patch - must not add to his dandy looks. Blackies like to look their best at all times LOL
Yes, the singing and the chinking has stopped, and it is not the same without their presence. Looking forward to seeing them once more. The sparrowhawks will have to look harder to get their meal ticket for the time being
We will be feeding our birds in winter now, We can attract birds to our bird feeders (only lived in this house for 2 months or so) and see what we get. A Great Spotted woodpecker would be nice anyday.
The only bird I have seen over the last week or two is a BlueTit. He/she has been singing his/her heart out on top of our Hawthorn bush in the back garden.
lucybob said: Ours all did the same - two young blackbirds have remained living under a cabbage palm surrounded by shrubs and pop out for food especially raisins but do not go far - they are still rufus in colour so assume they will stay shy until they have their adult plumage. One or two adults are still feeding but look very tatty - one has actually had a bald patch on its head for about a week. They are a prime target for Sparrowhawks here so will keep hidden until they have finished their moult and are strong in flight to escape danger. Singing also stops at this time so that they do not draw attention to themselves. Robins and Dunnocks which are now in their new winter coats have been singing to me this afternoon whilst I have been gardening!
Hello Blackbird - we moved into our current house last December and I started with just one feeding station outside the back door - we now have two main feeding stations - a feeding station in a Tree and then there's the feeder in the middle of the lawn plus ground snacks! It is amazing how quickly they start to come in and feed and we have had a brilliant breeding season - this will be you next year - we had a family of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a family of Jays plus all the usually little birds. I have been planting out the garden since February and the birds have been finding their own spot hence how I know where to find them - a very nice broom bush which will never flower is home to all the sparrows but they seem to like it trimmed into a round thicket hence not many flowers - who cares!
Mr. B with his bald spot is what we call 'our Blackbird' we share him with the man next door and we always know him because even in his best plumage he has a litle white spot on his chest - maybe it's his carnation!
hi Lucybob
Thank you for your kind reply.
Sounds like you have your garden in order at the moment. It does take time if you move properties as you well know yourself.
We have just left a few of our favourite birds behind from our last garden, and it is a heart rendering for us to deal with. We live in rentals so we have no say in the matter - so if we are asked to move out that is what we have to do.
Sadly our last garden has been chainsawed down (our previous neighbour has explained to us) and this included removing a Privet hedge that the local sparrows loved. So I feel for them poor little mites. Goodness knows what the other birds thought as they have been so pampered by us they will not know which way to turn.
We had a set of 10 blackies or so and they spent a lot of their time having little fights between themselves. I felt that the garden was overladen with male blackbirds. They are so territorial anyway, so they fight to the death. Lots bald patches occured through their fighting habits.
A family of GSW and Jays sounds ideal. Never seen a Jay yet, and would love to see one - if one comes our way.
As you have said it will take time to birds to adjust, and decide to trust us. We will end up with a multitude of feeders, and make sure that they are well stocked over the nxt few months.
Love your blackbird with the white carnation
So like you we will bide our time and see what we get in the garden.
Will place a report back here in the future
lucybob said: Hello Blackbird - we moved into our current house last December and I started with just one feeding station outside the back door - we now have two main feeding stations - a feeding station in a Tree and then there's the feeder in the middle of the lawn plus ground snacks! It is amazing how quickly they start to come in and feed and we have had a brilliant breeding season - this will be you next year - we had a family of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a family of Jays plus all the usually little birds. I have been planting out the garden since February and the birds have been finding their own spot hence how I know where to find them - a very nice broom bush which will never flower is home to all the sparrows but they seem to like it trimmed into a round thicket hence not many flowers - who cares! Mr. B with his bald spot is what we call 'our Blackbird' we share him with the man next door and we always know him because even in his best plumage he has a litle white spot on his chest - maybe it's his carnation!
We actually heard a couple today strangley enough, chinking away in the hedge, but still not showing themselves. First evidence that they are still around for a couple of weeks.
At this time of year, we are often asked this question here in Wildlife Enquiries - i think it has been answered above but you'll find a more detailed explanation in the Wildlife Enquiries blog
Help swifts by letting us know what they're up to - fill in the 2010 survey
Liz R said: At this time of year, we are often asked this question here in Wildlife Enquiries - i think it has been answered above but you'll find a more detailed explanation in the Wildlife Enquiries blog
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