by:
dvarnon OPNew Member
~ 9 years ago
Nov 5, '14 2:29pm
I and two of my friends have noticed a decrease to non-existent activity at our bird feeders. For 15 yrs we have always had birds all year round but it stopped a week or so ago. Seeds are fresh, no hawks around, no cats. Anyone else notice this? 4951
Are you sure there are no cats around? Unless you are on constant watch, you can't be 100% sure. Something is driving them away.  Or, maybe they no are longer satisfied by the bird food you put our. They are protesting and are staying away until you provide an alternative. 4951
Yep us too. Started last week. I haven't seen a humming bird in weeks now, but we were still refilling the bird seed a couple of times a week. I asked my hubby on Monday if he refilled it this weekend and he said that he didn't. I refilled it about a week and a half ago and not a seed has been touched. 4951
I wonder if the acorns, etc are filling them up so they don't come to feeders as often? I have noticed a huge decline in the numbers of birds and squirrels at both front and back yard feeders. I've never noticed this before and have been feeding birds for 34 yrs here. 4951
No problems here. It is migratory season- so some are migrating through. I have the usual suspects- my pair of wrens are in my front bushes at dawn to wake me- my Mockingbird is back and defending his territory. Chickadees, sparrows and cardinals at the feeders - my red shouldered hawk keeps flying through looking for stragglers. White winged doves on the ground, blue jays are feeding off the seeds in the green belt bushes but still come for peanuts. Haven't seen my yellow bellied flicker much- but I hear them along with the titmouse and piliated woodpecker. The downy woodpecker is still at the suet feeder. The Ruby throated hummingbirds have left for South America but my Rufous Hummingbirds are here- they're less in number and kind of shy but I hear them fly- their wings sound different than the Ruby throats. And my warblers are back. I've seen flocks of Robins flying and also the White Pelicans are back on Lake Houston. The house finches are drinking out of the hummingbird feeders So all in all- everything normal here. Most of my Fall/ winter birds came a bit early but my regulars are doing what they normally do 4951
Do you have a nearby source of water for them? Â Often they will tend to try to feed closer to water. Â A well placed hanging bird bath could make a difference. Â We have a couple of resident blue jays and cardinals that have been around, at least, since we moved in three years ago. Â I don't feed year 'round, but will start right around this time of year. Â I do keep fairly fresh water available though, especially during dry periods. 4951