Where've they all gone?

[IanP]

I'm hoping it's just due to the season, ie harvest time in the local woodland and hedgerows, because I haven't seen a single blackbird in my garden for literally weeks. How do I know they don't sneak in when I'm not looking? Because I know they like grapes and some I put out a week ago haven't been touched.

It's also a quiet time for other species as well, the only remotely regular visitors being goldfinches and the occasional dunnock. Same reason?

[AndrewB]

I have just been thinking the same thing! They were quite regular during the summer even when most of the other birds had disappeared, but I havent seen one for a few weeks now.

Mind you I didnt see any sparrows for quite a while but a few have returned now.

[rogpow]

I've had two males in my garden for the last few days.
One of them getting very territorial - sitting on the neighbour's roof and chasing off anything that comes near, especially collared doves which he seems to hate with a passion!

[Hedera]

I've had a couple for the last 2 weeks pecking at the fallen apples I leave for the birds. They seem quite happy together, both males. No sparrows around as yet, although robins and dunnocks back. And a xxxmagpie!

[aeshna5]

When I went to Kew Gardens last weekend I commented to my partner I only saw 1 Blackbird there + no other thrush species which is pretty unusual.

[AshLee]

I had noticed that they have disappeared from my garden, but I'm not too sure why?

[Geoff F]

Yes they don't seem keen on my grape vine this year. Usually I have to fight for a couple of grapes for myself.

But my grapes are still a bit on the sharp side this year; and the berries appear to be of more interest now.

[Dogghound]

None in the garden (several in surrounding farmland), but plenty of very shy birds (likely migrants) on the cliff tops today.

[Kayleigh]

They always seem disappear this time of year I think they go off to moult they are just starting to reappear now in my garden and the farmland where I walk my dog.

[pliers]

My coastal birding patch St Marys Island, has been dripping with Blackbirds, Robins, Dunnocks, and Wrens. Most of which i believe have arrived from the continent on recent favourable winds. The Blackbirds are mostly males.