Where have all the birds gone?
I live in WNY, and have been feeding birds at my current residence for 3 solid years, day in and day out. Up until mid August of this year, my various feeders have been inundated with tons of varieties of birds. (Bluebirds, nuthatches, titmice, chickadees, hairy, downy (and even pileated!) woodpeckers, finches, cardinals, grosbeaks, orioles, hummingbirds, sparrows, etc. etc!) While I know a few from that category migrate, those that do not have nearly all but vanished from my feeding stations. I have not made any changes to my yard or the seed, suet, etc. that I provide. I keep my feeders clean and weather protected as much as I am able to. We occasionally have a “sparrow hawk” swoop into the yard, but not very often, and they aren’t in abundance here, either. I just don’t understand where all the birds have gone, or what has happened in nature to cause this to happen. Is it a common occurance to have a “purging cycle” of birds every few years? My feathered friends are a constant source of joy, and provide great interest to me all throughout the year. I really miss them! Has anyone else noticed such a drastic change in the number of birds (and even squirrels for that matter!) at your feeders? Especially anyone in or around WNY?
Blue Onblue