What has happened to the birds?

rainbow2411 · 25-08-2005, 09:53

I was enjoying the sunshine on the garden last week and thinking how nice and quiet it was when I suddenly realised it was too quiet, there was not a single bird on ours or anyone else's garden as far as I could see or hear. I have taken particular note this since then and have only seen 1 pair of wood pidgeons and a magpie, has anyone else noticed this or is it only in the Hackenthorpe area.

moon · 25-08-2005, 09:55

lol i got excited then i thought u ment a different type of birds! as in females!

damnnnnnnnnnn!

SheffieldSean · 25-08-2005, 10:02

From the RSPB website:

It's summer, why have the birds suddenly vanished from my garden?

"This is a question we are regularly asked in the summer. Unless you are finding dead birds, then there is really nothing to worry about. In late summer, birds are nearing the end of a period of hectic activity: the breeding season.

Many of them will go through a period of moult to renew worn or juvenile plumage. While they are losing their flight feathers, they are vulnerable, so conceal themselves from predators.

They seldom sing, and no longer need to defend territory, so seem to disappear. Late summer and early autumn is also a time of plenty for birds. The natural food supply is abundant. Birds will move from their breeding areas into farmland, orchards or woodland for instance, to feed on grain, berries and weed seed.

They can be absent from gardens until we get the first autumn frosts so late summer is a good time to clean feeders and bird tables, ready for the birds' return."

Nimrod · 25-08-2005, 10:06

Thanks SheffieldSean, I was wondering why it was so quiet, thought we had got another air-gunner at it.

Jillybabes · 25-08-2005, 10:31

I have noticed that too, we live in Hackenthorpe and all we seem to get is Magpies and hear those wood pigeons. Apart from that we see very few birds, we get the odd sparrow but thats it.

Bad_Hair_Day · 25-08-2005, 11:15

We'd noticed it too, but there was a Sparrow Hawk doing the rounds last week so we just thought that had killed them all!

Glad to hear it's just because they're all resting ready for their Autumn feast!

willman · 25-08-2005, 11:44

well i live in killamarsh and can't say i've missed any.
got house martins nesting with chicks in, had blue tits in the garden(steady). got the resident magpies again & a nice floc of crows nearby. we have had sparrows & starlings but they all start to prepare for vacation around now.

rainbow2411 · 25-08-2005, 12:13

Thanks for the information SheffieldSean I was worried

Wattsy · 25-08-2005, 15:05

Quote:

Originally posted by rainbow2411
I was enjoying the sunshine on the garden last week and thinking how nice and quiet it was when I suddenly realised it was too quiet, there was not a single bird on ours or anyone else's garden as far as I could see or hear. I have taken particular note this since then and have only seen 1 pair of wood pidgeons and a magpie, has anyone else noticed this or is it only in the Hackenthorpe area.

Its a horrible not hearing birds in the morning i go to Rother Valley a lot lovely to see the Swans and their young etc and the Green Woodpeckers

Escafeldia · 25-08-2005, 18:25

I'm over in Woodhouse and we have more sparrows in the garden than you can shake a stick at plus bluetits, great tits and a pair of Dunnets. Collared Doves are flying round making their row all day and the magpies are a bloody nuisance. Why you have a dearth of these critters in Hackentorpe I just don't know - you are only just across the Shirebrook Valley.

Hels · 26-08-2005, 01:15

I'm too in Woodhouse and I love to hear and see the birds, though I have noticed they are a lot quieter at the moment.

I bought a bird feeder in April and put seeds/bird food out and was chuffed to see quite a few blue-tits at it.

I walk my dog in the fields and woodland nearby and hear/see the birds so I know all is well there at least.

Birds need somewhere to hide and nest. We have quite a few hedges that are starting to mature and so give a place for them to rest. I've planted some more hedging in my front garden to encourage the birds - hedges which will bear berries etc.

As more and more woodland and green spaces disappear I think homeowners should think about what plants will attract and sustain the birds and other wildlife throughout the winter. I'm sure there is more I could be doing, though I have several trees in the front garden now. My 'hedgerow' in the front garden will (eventually) be bird and wildlife friendly. I'm aiming for a good mix of bushes to provide for them all year round.

26-08-2005, 06:30

We've still got a few in our garden - even a Kestrel!!! Couldn't believe my eyes, Wednesday afternoon, looked up and there it was on our fence!! Not seen it since though.
We live just off Hollinsend Road and have loads of Magpies which if I see one I have to hang about until another appears

.

rainbow2411 · 27-08-2005, 09:16

I am still not convinced that they are just hiding away, we have a very large hedge between ours and the neighbours very long gardens, which is usually home for dozens of families of sparrows, there is not one bird in there, or any where else around. It's good to know there seem to be still in the woodhouse area, which I can see just over Shirebrook Valley, I keep waving but Escafeldia is not waving back.

melthebell · 27-08-2005, 18:55

.................................................. .....................................bird flu