Garden birds in South Yorkshire

[carrie scott]

Hi there,

Only just joined this site, but I wondered if anyone may be able to shed any light on my worry.
All year I have had a garden full of birds, the usual, blackbird, thrush, wren, robin, finch, pigeon etc up until approx 3 weeks ago. Now I have nothing, not even the pigeon is tempted by the feasts I leave out.
I wondered if it was the wasps, but they have gone but no birds are coming back.
This is the first time in the 12 years I have lived here that I am not waking to the beautiful sounds, and am not refilling the various feeders daily.

Caroline

[Rob_D]

Hi Caroline and welcome to WAB.

You are not alone in noticing a lack of birds in the garden this summer. I am sure they haven't all disappeared, so it's probably down to an abundance of food elsewhere. Grain in the fields, berries in the hedgerows and insects everywhere.

Since most garden birds are well finished breeding it's not really the time of year for birdsong either, though the robins seem to be starting up again. So perhaps there are some around but they are staying quiet?

[carrie scott]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, Well it is good that there is plenty of food out there for them, hopefully it wont be too long before they pay us a visit again soon.

[Tracey.A]

Hi Caraline,

I tend to find that at this time of year there is always a bit of a slump once the birds have finished breeding and the young have fledged. They tend to disperse, some will be on the look out for new territories and some will be heading off much further afield to their over wintering grounds. I'm sure some will be about, but keeping fairly quiet and as Rob said they have probably found food else where.

Welcome to WAB by the way It's a brilliant site!

Tracey

[Jason Green]

Don't worry Carrie - they are just out exploiting an abundance of berries/insects elsewhere.

They'll be back when it gets cold, asking you to feed them again... for now, there should be a few insects around.

Maybe a good time to see what else is around

[deer boy]

Hi Caroline welcome to WAB hope you enjoy

There a bit like teenagers,go off without telling you where there going & then turning up expecting there food to be on the table waiting

[big bill]

Hello Caroline I had the same problem a few weeks back all I got to the feeders were the sparrows for about a month now they are all starting to come back be patient

[Kayleigh]

Hi Caroline and welcome,

I think they go off to moult this time of year so they keep out of sight and as others have said there is abundance of food elsewhere.

But with the cold weather we are having atm my feeders are doing down daily I only have house sparrows and a wood pigeon on the bird table, I have also had starlings and sparrows eating the elderberries.

[KeenTeen17]

maybe its because lots of farmers are encouraged nowadays to farm in a method that is beneficial to wildlife. Maybe the increased stubble in fields is providing food. Or it could be a good year for caterpillars and midges after all the rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain we've had.

[aeshna5]

Too much time on your hands KT17?

[Jean Farmer]

Probably now waiting for the first early frost. Has anyone noticed that the robin is singing its autumn song ?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Jean Farmer

Probably now waiting for the first early frost. Has anyone noticed that the robin is singing its autumn song ?

Yes, my garden Robins are becoming more conspicuous again- hearing them sing + "ticking".

[carrie scott]

Hi there everyone,
Thanks for all the replies; I love the comparison between teenagers and birds, haha.
I have noticed the robin for the past two days actually. And as for the rain........ unfortunately I am one of those who actually like it, I know I'm strange, as if we haven't had enough, don't get me wrong I feel deeply for all those who suffer as a result, but I can't think of anything better than sitting in my conservatory reaping the rewards of my hard work in the garden, with a cup of coffee and a book.
Until recently, I must confess, I haven't really taken that much notice of our wildlife, my life revolved around work. I was a director of a boat building company, which we had to close down at the end of August, the credit crunch hit us hard, like a lot of people, unfortunately. So I have now decided that I am going to join the employed so that I can do my job and enjoy a more stress free life, and the free pleasures we have given to us that a lot of us just ignore or take for granted. Don't get me wrong I am going to miss taking time off when I want and a nice salary, but that is not everything, I will NOT miss the responsibility I had!!

[Jean Farmer]

Have just had a look at the bird table.There is 1 blue tit, 1 great tit, a pair of collar doves and 3 sparrows feeding on the ground. Has anyone noticed a change in the number of sparrows and starlings in the last few years ? Years ago I had loads of both, then they disappeared. 2 years ago I had the first 2 house sparrows back also a couple of starlings.By last autumn the sparrows had increased to 15. This year the sparrows and starlings have nested in the house roof, keeping the resident bats company !
This is the first year I have seen any jackdaws locally.There have been 11 clamouring to get on the bird table.2 years ago there there were about 16 greenfinches, but this year I,ve only seen the occasional one feeding.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

maybe its because lots of farmers are encouraged nowadays to farm in a method that is beneficial to wildlife. Maybe the increased stubble in fields is providing food. Or it could be a good year for caterpillars and midges after all the rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain and rain we've had.

What stubble fields
The farmers here plough them as soon as they are harvested...

All I have on my bird table today is one slug with a death-wish.

[diggleken]

Kayleigh is right - song birds tend to moult/renew feathers after the main breeding season and keep quiet for a few weeks in summer (whats that?) but then, often starting with robins bursting into song again, since about 2 weeks ago - I always think the robins trill at this time of year is very autumnal, but lovely at the same time. Also of course a fabulous time for us birders - migration both ways starts from september and continues through october and then in november our more northerly and arctic visitors seeking the UK out cos its nice and warm then for them too!