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Not too many birds these days

14 years ago

Hi, I don't post here often but I do enjoy feeding the birds very much. We have always had busy feeders and that has always been so much fun. I also make a point of leaving my gardens so the birds can feed.

This year we do not seem to have many birds coming and we don't know why. We still have the same amount of feeders and landscape is the same in our yard. A new building has been built nearby but I wouldn't think that would spook them. They were here in the summer months.

I use black oil seeds, niger, suet and peanuts to attract them. I also sometimes put out pieces of fruit too in a dish. I really miss the activity so if anyone has some suggestions I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

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Comments (9)

lisa11310
14 years ago
Do you have water out for them?
bandjzmom
14 years ago
I agree with Lisa. Water is a real draw for birds. I received a heated deck mounted birdbath last year as a gift, and it is really one of the best things I have ever gotten. The birds can always find water at my house even when the whole town is frozen. I don't know where you live. Are you seeing all of the usual species of birds that you would see in winter?~~Angie
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donald lucius
14 years ago
i've got dozens of juncos and pine siskins this winter.The
juncos like the mixed bird seed especially the millet and cracked corn. the pine siskins love the hulled sunflower seed and the millet. Unfortunaterly i have a whole flock of Starlings this year and they are total pigs and eat everything in sight. scare them off dozen times a day.
and even took down the feeders for awhile to make them leave but they came back same day as i put the feeders back up. I bake cornbread often in winter to eat with chili or stew and always throw out some crumbled cornbread for the birds and they all fight over who gets it first.
taigen_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the responses. They have the pond and stream area for water most of the time but nothing heated. I should try and do something more for them in the winter months. I am in the east coast of Canada so winter can be harsh but my neighbours and I have all noticed the bird population is down a bit this year. We would normally have the chickadees, juncos, a variety of sparrows and finches, cardinals, blue jays etc. Today I had a few finches and at supper time the cardinals did show up.
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
14 years ago
What kind of environment did the new building replace? Was it wooded or a field or some kind of habitat that the birds were used to and felt safe in? Or maybe they nested there?

Claire
taigen_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
The building went up in an open area. It had some brush bushes and a couple of trees they took down. They did leave the majority of the trees though...at least for now. I have no doubt this has had some impact as I used to watch the birds fly from over that way at times. Now with all the commotion I am sure they don't feel so safe.
Every day I de-ice the feeders etc. and put out fresh so I am really hoping that they will return.
Thanks for all yours thoughts, I will look into some sort of water for them for the winter months.
callalilykris
14 years ago
I have been wondering the same thing--where are the birds?? I have 5 seed feeders and two heated birdbaths and I have never seen a winter where there were so few birds. I usually have hundreds (not exaggerating) in the winter. I am in southeastern Michigan near Port Huron and near the Canadian border.
Konrad___far_north
14 years ago
I find when there is a cold snap [harsh condition], birds stay put and
conserve energy.
taigen_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
Callalilykris...Sounds like we have the same issue! I am in 5b also so maybe this is a regional thing.
Konrad...we have only had really cold temps for the past week or so. Had no snow till after Christmas and has been pretty cold since.

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