Where have all the birds gone??

[IOW_Birder]

Hi everyone,
Im a recent convert to birding, only starting in january this year. I have been regularly going out several times a week, but since the start of august I have noticed a startling decline in the local bird population, is this normal for the time of year, or is it our awful weather making the birds either hide or migrate early? Im a postman and notice a lot of birds on my round, as well as listening to the birdsong in the morning. Our local resident blackbird disappeared a few weeks ago, which I seem to remember him doing last year, he disappeared all winter and re-appeared around may time this year, I thought they were resident birds, any help would be appreciated!!
Many thanks,
Dave

IOW Birder my Isle of Wight birds and nature blog

[RoyW]

There are a number of reasons why bird numbers appear to decline during the summer (it is often noticeably quite from roughly mid June until around early-mid August).
During the breeding season birds are often more difficult to see while they are feeding young, and some species become even more elusive in late summer because they are often moulting by then. At this time of year there is also an abundance of food available "in the wild", so many people who feed birds in the garden will find that they aren't seeing much because the birds are elsewhere. Many birds will already be thinking of migrating, or will have moved to summer moulting areas (wildfowl in particular).

As far as your Blackbird is concerned, as a species Blackbirds are resident - but that doesn't mean that the same individuals will remain in one area all year. Some individuals that breed in the UK will move south-west to other, mider parts of the UK (or even cross the channel to France), and these will be replaced by winter arrivals from the continent.

Oh, and yes, birds are often more difficult to find in bad weather (even ducks don't much like rain!).

[John B (NTS)]

Hi IoW Birder

Yes it is entirely normal for this time of year. Garden bird communities will be undergoing their post breeding season moult and, consequentially, will not be in their best flying condition. This means that they will be keeping a low profile to avoid predators. This is not the best time of year for birding, but passage time will be with us before you know it.

[tigertom]

Think its normal, it is for the birds which come to my feeders allways busy till may june then it slows right down in july and starts picking up again from about now, a lot of small birds moult affter breeding and hide away at this time
MIKE

[IOW_Birder]

Thanks guys,
That explains a lot, look forward to the winter arrivals