no birds coming to our feeders?

It's mostly the time of year. There are plenty of natural foods around at the moment in the form of berries, seeds, insects, nuts etc. so the birds don't have to leave the safety of the hedgerows to feed. Nor do they have young to feed so they aren't tracking backwards and forwards with food during all daylight hours. Plus some have already left for their winter quarters - our swallows have gone south.

As this flush of plenty tapers off they'll doubtless start reappearing at your feeders.

Clearly something has changed in your yard. You're going to be the only one who can tell what that is, of course. Have you added new trees, or removed trees? Have you changed the type of vegetation that is in the yard? Have you added something to the house itself, or put out different furniture or some other object? Has a new neighbor moved in with a cat or a dog that could be threatening the birds (not overtly, but the birds will be aware of its presence)? Any of these or similar things could be keeping the birds from coming to your feeders. I'd also try keeping the woodpecker feeders at a distance from your seed feeders. Woodpeckers and sapsuckers are often large birds, as I'm sure you know, and smaller birds may instinctively stay away if the big guys are around. Good luck, and happy viewing!

They`re still around, but you will not see them much at this time of year because August / September is the time of year when they moult and grow some new feathers. They tend to hide in the bushes whilst doing this and just pop out occasionally for a quick forage. Happens every year at the same time. They will be back soon though.

All I`ve got left at the moment is a squadron of sparrows.

Have a look at the link below and scroll down to "birds".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moult

Regards, Bob.

Various reasons for this,the main one being there is a plentiful supply of natural foodstuffs still available to birds.

As others have mentioned,cat population,certain birds starting to migrate to warmer climates for the winter. Also a lot of birds do not like the seed mixes offered but will eat it in the winter or when they are sitting on eggs as it means they don't have to travel to far from the nest for food.

We have lost a lot of the wild bird population over the last 20 or so years due to loss of habitat,insectisides,natural disasters such as hurricane force winds felling large numbers of trees.

Farming has changed dramatically causing changes to the country side too.

S.Frey; That's absolutely classical of having a Sparrowhawk around. One of them turns up and all the local bird life hunkers down and holds its breath. With good reason, come to think of it.

Don't worry though. Hawk'll do any cleaning the pool needs and move on. Then ye birds will reappear. Happens round here. In fact, I had it happen only last week. But, right now? My nuts are covered in sparrows :-)

You do not say where you live! If in Uganda, then there will be no birds there due to the use of strong DDT used in an attempt to eliminate malaria mosquitoes many years ago.

If in the USA, and near a farming area, the use of pesticides. Still continuing.

Beware, move away from there NOW.

Over the last month we have had absolutely no interest in the feeder what so ever .... I too have noticed a drop off in birds coming to my feeders.

Just a thought but have you or any of your neighbours got a cat, maybe the birds are staying away because they have seen a cat stalking them. Also many birds are now migrating for the winter.

Put some tin foil around the feeder. The sun will catch it and get the birds attention, if there are any birds around.

It may be their feather moult time so they cannot fly properly until the new feathers are through