Birds have disappeared

big bill · #1 (**permalink**) 23-05-2009, 04:27 PM

I dont if its normal or not but in the last 3 weeks after continuous visits from Siskins and Goldfinchs,Siskins at least 9 during peak times 3 most of the day and Goldfinchs had 4-5 visiting throughout the day.
Now they have stopped coming to the feeders all together have not seen hide nor feather of them is this normal?

aland · #2 (**permalink**) 23-05-2009, 04:39 PM

Hi bill, I

would not worry to much every year we have lots of different small bird all winter that do a runner for the breeding season you will find that they return soon enough when they need you for meals such as in the winter etc, I recently posted a thread about our green woodpeckers we have not seen one yet this spring and we have a ant problem that they normaly tackle, twenty or more ant nests, i hope they return soon, bye for now, aland.

ron1863 · #3 (**permalink**) 23-05-2009, 04:42 PM

Hi Bill, we have the same experience down here. Greenfinches that have been using the nut feeders for weeks have disappeared. I think they may have been feeding the young and now that they have probably flown the nest, have no real need of the feeders. Mind you my fat ball are disappearing fast as we have a flock of Sparrows and their young using them for hours on end. Lovely sight watching the parents peck the balls and feed the young.

big bill · #4 (**permalink**) 23-05-2009, 05:56 PM

Cheers guys for the replies thought something along these lines either feeding at nest or flown the nest area

Fieldfare95 · #5 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron1863

Mind you my fat ball are disappearing fast

My fat was also polished off, by the starlings, with the nuts + seed hardly touched.

snapewoodclayts · #6 (**permalink**) 24-05-2009, 10:10 AM

Yup, visits at the feeders will generally decrease at this hectic time for the parents as they search for live food for their youngsters.

Most parents will still stop by to fill their beaks to keep their energy levels up, so do keep feeding them - good quality, high energy suet pellets are the flavour of the week for my great tits, the blue tits love the fat balls.