Not to worry, guys. This is a normal occurrence from time to time, especially in seasons when food is plenty. It may be that there are native seeds forming in your area right now, and the birds are feeding primarily on those. There are any number of reasons birds disappear from feeders for awhile. They will be back. Just so you know, we have cardinals and bluejays in Florida year round. And for the most part, they are up north year round, too. You see cardinals all winter long in many northern areas, especially when there are backyard feeders to help them make it through the cold months. Not all birds migrate. And some that do join year-round residents in the winter to increase the local populations in Florida even more. This is definitely the time of year to be watching for fall migrating species. Provide lots of food and water. They will be hungry and tired. Keep an eye on your trees for warblers and other species that don't come to feeders. They will be passing through, too. The storm offshore may have many of them hunkered down, but they will be back. Just keep that feeder clean and filled for them, so they have a place to come when they return. And FANTASTIC picture Beth! I'm going to go get a thistle sock today for any goldfinches that show up, and I think the finch mix will join my regular mix on the tray, too. Hope I get a painted bunting just like yours! Marcia

Aprice---Yes since the youguns have arrived the last week has been very active here. Back in June I had 3 males battling it out for this yard and claiming all the females the could and now [just guessing] between 6-10 toward evening , hard to count. During the day 4-6 at most times. I have 3 window feeders and 3 more around the yard scattered out and all are used. I have the 3oz walmart special I have to fill twice a day now. I didnt have this kind of activity last year till into august. This year I have also planted some flowers to attract them that I didnt have last year. I have guaranitica black and blues, coccinia lady in red, greggi magenta and primrose, salvia bonfire and cuphea david verity. The black and blues are great, 7 or 8 of those plants, love em. I dont know why yours would have left , did you have a lot last year , all year? Keep your nectar fresh?

I think we saw some in the back yard yesterday morning, but not sure. Still watching. Okay I looked it up and I want to see a blue gray gnatcatcher. Does it come to feeders? The yellow birds never come to the feeders. They just eat bugs from the trees. Like Bookmark

Same here about the mockingbirds. For years I've had a pair that guarded the front yard, nested in the Youpon holly tree outside of the dining room window, and feasted on its berries all winter. I think feral cats in the neighborhood have killed them off. My next door neighbors feel sorry for them and feed them. I've seen mockingbird feathers in and round the birdbath in the front yard more than once so I stopped filling it. Now coyotes have been seen coming into the neighborhood streets at night apparently on the hunt for cats. The coyotes have become very bold and follow people who are walking their dogs on leash near the woods. Also people on our neighborhood Facebook page report that owls are taking cats. Plus I see and hear far fewer squirrels. Oh well. Things change. We just do the best we can to manage the wildlife visiting our gardens.