bird dirth

[galanthus]

I've been out two weekends in a row now to feed my birdie photo passion. Today I trapsed through valley side woodland, 2 mountain river sides and a high moor above brecon, not a sausage Managed a female blackbird while parking in Tesco, that's it ! Anyone else noticed a bit of a dirth ? Maybe they're all busy feeding babies in the bermuda triangle.

[WestLothian]

Almost birdless here today too - all hiding deeper in the darker parts of the wood.
Only captured a shot of robin following me sitting in the shade.

[Gill Catton]

I find that hot days sort of suppress bird activity and that in woodland, once the babies are on the go, the songs and calls seem to quieten down. This time of year I survey in the early morning until about ten and then re-start in the early evening midday is again often really quiet

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by galanthus

Anyone else noticed a bit of a dirth ?

On the contrary! I've been up and out there at first light (4am'ish) for the last 4 mornings - Kingfisher watching at our local pair's nest site (needless to say for readers of my 'Kingfisher Diary' thread) - and have been staggered not only at the number and volume of birds participating in the dawn chorus but also the general level of bird activity in the first couple of hours of daylight.

Obviously I don't know what time you've been out on your fruitless trips but my advice would be to get an early night, set the alarm and, as they say, get 'up with the larks'.

I don't know about catching worms but, in my experience and to coin another phrase, it's certainly true that 'the early bird(er) catches the birds'

Jeff

[cherrybee]

I have found the same in my garden.Not so many about.Blue tits at the fatballs Jackdaws on the bird table after the kitchen left overs but the seed feeders are hardly being touched.

[galanthus]

I've done many a dawn watch, fantastic to see the light come up and hear everything wake up. Yeah I know late afternoon/early evening is quiet compared to mornings, however, I go out roughly same time on a weekend and usually see a lot more. My garden is usually very busy, however, like cherrybee that's quiet too at the mo.