Because mom and I have become avid bird/nature watchers over the last couple of years or so, we've taken care to keep the bird baths refilled with fresh water and to stay stocked up on bird food to make it so I have plenty on hand to replenish the feeders when they come close to running out.
Pretty much without fail this year, I've had to refill both of our feeders, which each take about four and a half pounds of food, about every four to six days on average, even in the winter months when so many typically migrate further south. I usually try to do it on Saturdays or Sundays, because it's just easier for me since my weekdays are typically fairly hectic.
READ MORE (VIP) -->> Caregiver's Diary Part 47: More Bird Feeder Adventures
But it's been nearly two weeks since I had to put any food out there. I went out earlier in the day, Tuesday, to change out the water in the bird baths, and got a little sad over the fact that both of the feeders were still half full.
I had hoped to enjoy some birdwatching on "staycation" last week, but it's become almost a ghost town out there, with us typically only seeing bird (cardinal) activity in the morning around the time we get up, and in the evening before we shut the blinds. We also rarely see the squirrels anymore, and we've only seen our resident turtle once in probably a month.
Even knowing that birds head for warmer climates in the fall and winter months, Grand Central Station at the feeders suddenly coming to a screeching halt had me curious as to whether this was a normal thing, as I don't remember it being nearly this quiet last year around this time.
Mom even wondered if the occasional visits from the neighborhood cat might have sparked the change, and while that's possible, I doubt it, because that cat has been coming around here and there for the last year or so and didn't seem to intimidate or bother the birdies and squirrelies too much.
I, of course, turned to Google and read different things on different sites, with some saying the birds and squirrels are merely taking advantage of other, more natural food sources this time of year, and others saying there should still be an active, though decreased, presence in front and back yards:
With the conclusion of the breeding season birds are now in less need of a quick, easy food source... your feeders. While raising their young during the months of March through July birds expend tremendous amounts of energy and will take great advantage of backyard feeders. We sell more seed and suet during those months than we do in winter.
Now young birds are independent and the lives of adult birds are at a much more leisurely pace. On top of that nature is producing an abundance of food at this time. Not only are insects still plentiful but every tree, shrub, weed, and wildflower has produced seeds, nuts, and fruit. There is literally food for birds everywhere. It is a great example of the fact that birds do not rely on our feeders but simply take advantage of them in times of more demand for food.
If that is indeed the case, I feel much better about the situation, knowing that it is unlikely they feel unsafe, though we both are really missing them dearly and are looking forward to their return.
What have been your experiences at your feeders as autumn gets underway? Make sure to let me know in the comments.
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