I live in Frankfort and have had the same problem, I know summer is here and they are feeding on insects but the population of visitors has hit very low. I went from filling my feeders every couple of days to once every couple of weeks. The red-headed woodpecker, the blue jays and the hummingbirds have completely gone. I have an occasional chickadee or cardinal; the only real visitors I get are house wrens and house finches. DAVID M. HARGIS PROGRAM COORDINATOR TRAINING COORDINATOR SAFETY OFFICER ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL CABINET DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF CONSERVATION 375 VERSAILLES ROAD FRANKFORT, KY 40601 PHONE 502-573-3080 fax 502-573-1692 david.hargis@xxxxxx <mailto:david.hargis@xxxxxx> www.conservation.ky.gov <http://www.conservation.ky.gov> Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. ________________________________ From: birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of JEswindell@xxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 7:08 AM To: birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [birdky] Disappearing backyard birds I live in Nelson County on 50 acres outside Bardstown. About a month ago our birds began to disappear. We keep around a dozen feeders and usually put out a couple of pounds of seed per day. Now we see only a few finches, an occasional Downy and a couple of Goldfinches. No grackles! The only change in the environment is the emergence of the 17-year class of cicadas but one might suppose this to help the insect feeders. Cherry and mulberry trees are ripe, but no fruit eaters are using them. Has anyone else seen this occur? Any ideas why? John Swindells Mailto: JESwindell@xxxxxxx ________________________________ Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars <http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007> .