where have my garden birds gone?

johnsuds · #1 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 04:06 PM

I'm afraid this might be an obvious matter for more experienced people, but for me as a total amateur observer ......
A couple of weeks ago (mid feb-early march) we had plenty of bird visitors to our garden bird feeders and bushes in Littleborough, nr rochdale. We especially noticed them in the morning. All of sudden this week, (15 march on) we seem to have extremely few - no one to entertain us! What's happened?

thebeard · #2 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 04:46 PM

the colder weather may have brought more birds into the garden, and now with more food about they've gone elsewhere. they may also be busy building nests and setting up territories. i've noticed its a bit quieter at the moment on my walks... calm before the storm i think

Lyndseypops · #3 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 06:13 PM

Glad someone asked this question. I am new too and my garden which was a hive of activity last week is almost deserted.

aland · #4 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 08:33 PM

This is normal do not forget it is mating time besides the fact it is day light longer and slightly warmer these day's some breeds will not return just the regular garden bird's.

reino · #5 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 10:06 PM

Hello Johnsuds,
I've noticed it's gone quieter this last week too. I bought a nesting box on Saturday as there were lots of blue tits in our garden, but haven't seen one since. I'm just hoping I've not put it up too late and the birds have already found other boxes to go to.
By the way, I live at Oulder Hill
Regards, Reino

Tracey.A · #6 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 10:10 PM

When it's cold the birds flock to feeders, but when the weather starts to get milder, they are able to source their natural food elsewhere. Thebeard is right they will soon start coming back to the feeders, once they have young your feeders will become very popular again

Tracey

LRM · #7 (**permalink**) 20-03-2010, 08:46 PM

In the cold weather alot of birds will come from the fields or parks into gardens to feed on berries and especially if you are putting out food. Also the bad weather this year has brought an increased amount and variety of birds into the garden. I had 3 species that I've never had before, Fieldfare, Redwing and Jay. Also 8 starlings took up residence for weeks which is unusual for me.

Now that the weather is warming up, they will be returning to the fields and looking for territories to build their nests. Resident birds may chase the winter visitors out of the garden or may lose their territory to them.

Also alot of birds are migrants here for the winter and will be returning to Europe, and probably made a mass exodus in big flocks back to their breeding grounds.

6 of our 8 starlings disappeared over night, leaving 2 for a week who have now gone. The blackbird population had built up to 12 males and 2 females (probably the resident 2), again most of the males suddenly disappeared altogether. A couple of years ago we had 3 Pied Wagtails (black and white) who were joined over winter by about 20 new ones (greyish and white) these were migrants as European ones are more grey rather than black.

Many starlings over winter here from Europe, I believe. Not sure about the blackbirds.

So it is a sign that Spring is coming and hopefully some better weather. Even if you can't see alot of birds, try and listen to the ones left, they should all be starting their singing now and you can be entertained trying to determine who is singing what.