We have had the same kind of results. The suet stays packed in the suet logs
for a month or more, there are few birds if the weather is good. The only times
we have seen “normal” levels is when it’s very cold or raining. Linda thinks
it’s because of the good warm weather – there are lots of bugs and other things
for them without coming to feeders. But it includes House Finches – they
usually feed at the tube feeders even if there’s food out there in the wild.
This fall the tube feeders have gone down very slowly. I think something is
going on this year. Maybe it’s related to the killing of mosquitos. There is a
real push now. More poison, fewer birds. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
Al
From: Nelda Snyder
Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2015 10:56 PM
To: jimvb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Nelda Snyder ; Madden FreeLists.org
Subject: [va-richmond-general] Re: Declining birds
Jim, I am really appalled at the small number of "the regular" birds at my
feeders this fall. One pair of cardinals, several chickadees, one or two
nuthatches, and occasionally a couple of goldfinches. Last year this time I
sent in a picture of about 18 goldfinches crowded on a long thistle feeder. I
had to put out several kinds of seed every day. It is very strange. I hear
red bellied and pileated woodpeckers and sometimes see downys further into the
woodlands. About a month ago the thrushes came and could be heard for a couple
weeks, but I never saw them on the feeders. Have seen one junco and have heard
a white throated sparrow nearby a few times. One carolina wren is an
occasional visitor. That's about it this year near the house and on the
feeders. Eagles, herons, and so forth are near the lake and occasionally some
ducks. I'm wondering if there is lots of wild food out there this year or ???
Nelda Snyder
Eastern Henrico
On Dec 13, 2015, at 9:22 PM, Jim Blowers wrote:
Here is the total bird count at our house for the past five Augusts:
2011 568
2012 675
2013 763
2014 709
2015 440
The number of birds has been declining. I don’t have to put out bird seed or
suet as often. I wonder what could be causing this. A Fairfield hotel is being
built at the corner of Midlothian Turnpike and Pinetta Drive, which is close to
our house. I wonder if this is taking away some of the bird habitats causing
the birds to find elsewhere to stay. Has anyone else seen a decline in birds
at their house?
Jim Blowers
