All my garden Birds have gone.

[demicav]

Well that's the problem, a few weeks ago there were loads, Sparrows, Starlings, Blackbirds, Chaffinch, Collared Doves, Wood pigeon, Robins, to name a few. Now there are none, there was one lone House Sparrow this morning so I got my hopes up, rushed out to put feed out for them and it's still sitting there untouched. I know these birds are here all year, they don't migrate so does anyone know where they are ? I don't know much about bird activity in the cooler months.

[aeshna5]

I would guess that if nothing else major has changed then maybe a Sparrowhawk or other predator has struck. I've noticed in my garden that sometimes birds will avoid feeders for a while if a Sparrowhawk has struck; sometimes the effect is for a short time, other times can be quiet for a few days.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by demicav

Well that's the problem, a few weeks ago there were loads, Sparrows, Starlings, Blackbirds, Chaffinch, Collared Doves, Wood pigeon, Robins, to name a few. Now there are none, there was one lone House Sparrow this morning so I got my hopes up, rushed out to put feed out for them and it's still sitting there untouched. I know these birds are here all year, they don't migrate so does anyone know where they are ? I don't know much about bird activity in the cooler months.

Actually birds like blackbird and robin frequently do migrate south for the winter but are seamlessly replaced by incomers from Scandinavia... the colder weather now present may have triggered some shifts in distribution? also I noticed that there are still plenty of berries on the bushes and still insects around so perhaps they are just feeding elsewhere for now?

[demicav]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

Actually birds like blackbird and robin frequently do migrate south for the winter but are seamlessly replaced by incomers from Scandinavia... the colder weather now present may have triggered some shifts in distribution? also I noticed that there are still plenty of berries on the bushes and still insects around so perhaps they are just feeding elsewhere for now?

I had no idea that Blackbirds and Robins sometimes migrate. I learn something new every day.

Thank you both for your comments.

[mh68]

I`d go along with Gills suggestion. Very few blackbirds in the gardens round here at present, theyre all in the hedgerows feeding on the berries etc,along with the other Thrush species. Our garden is often devoid of small birds for a few days at a time, but they always reappear, so i`m sure yours will too

Mark H

[aeshna5]

It's true that some of our birds such as Robin + Blackbird do migrate, but many of our breeding birds are fairly sedentary + usually our gardens have more of these species, not less, in the autumn/winter as they are augmented by continental cousins.

Given the wide range of species originally mentioned- they haven't all packed their bags for the Costa del Sol! Species such as the House Sparrow are extremely sedentary species. I still think a Sparrowhawk (or similar) would explain why all the birds have (temporarily) disappeared from your garden. It's certainly a phenomenon I've observed first hand in 2 gardens I've had.

[Littlemisssunshine]

Hi, just joined you all for the first time. I have lived here in Kent for 5 years now and provide my birds with a great habitat, loads of food and nesting boxes and 3 and 4 years ago had a garden bursting with birds from goldcrests to the occasional heron. Over the last 2 years my greenfinches have completely vanished (probably that awful and unspellable virus) and the number of other birds except goldfinches has plummetted. I hardly ever have to order birdfood anymore and it makes me very sad to have so few birds visiting. Anyone know what's going on? And why is the RSPB bragging about their massive birdfeeder when hygiene is so important?

[naturelover]

this post is so funny,because i was going to post one called my garden is full of birds,how strange is that,today and yesterday i noticed many more blackbirds,sparrows,collard doves and i think finches,they have a yellow flash on their wings,since i bought my new bird feeding station there hasnt been many birds,now the last two days my garden is alive with activity,and i know the fat balls are being eaten by the beak and feet marks on them,but i have yet to see a bird eating it,the first bird that i saw land on it yesterday was a collard dove,we get lots of those around here always in pairs,also i didnt know blackbirds migrate.

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by naturelover

this post is so funny,because i was going to post one called my garden is full of birds,how strange is that,today and yesterday i noticed many more blackbirds,sparrows,collard doves and i think finches,they have a yellow flash on their wings,since i bought my new bird feeding station there hasnt been many birds,now the last two days my garden is alive with activity,and i know the fat balls are being eaten by the beak and feet marks on them,but i have yet to see a bird eating it,the first bird that i saw land on it yesterday was a collard dove,we get lots of those around here always in pairs,also i didnt know blackbirds migrate.

Same here naturelover, Our garden is the busiest it's been in a long time. We even have Blackbirds and Dunnocks foraging around under the feeders.
Roger

[SweetRocket]

Agree with naturelover and ollie my feeders have also been very busy with a good variety of birds today, it's very cold so the birds are busy feeding as I would expect them to be doing.