Where are the birds?

[jblum8156]

I'm new here and I'm wondering why I don't see or hear any songbirds? No birds in trees, no birds in the air. Plenty of water birds, but no sparrows? no robins? no finches? Don't tell me that alligators eat all the birds!

[avonlady]

If you are in a somewhat new area where there is construction activity, the birds tend to stay away for a while. Our birds did not start coming back until a year after construction. Be patient and remember the birds down here are quite different. Many larger than you are used to seeing. Ibis, Cranes, Hawks etc.

[graciegirl]

I am hoping that when we return to Hadley that some of the birds will be there. All I have seen of familar northern type birds are Mourning Doves up until now.

Then there is the issue that feeding them attracts snakes. Yipes!

[Opulence]

"Then there is the issue that feeding them attracts snakes. Yipes! "

Gracie are you kidding me! I love feeding and watching the birds. Snakes simply never crossed my mind. I recall seeing pics of many homes for sale, that had bird feeders in the yards. This will be a major disappointment.
Somebody say it ain't so . . . .!!!!

Betty

[billethkid]

don't really care for bird food. Birds maybe, but not the food...and they would most certainly choose to go for the critters on the ground than chase birds!

We have a pretty dense amount of plantings along our entire lot and in almost 5 years have yet to see a snake or evidence of one being in the area. Snakes are more likely to be closer to water sources like ponds and lakes.

The birds will come back. Don't deny your pleasure.

btk

[zcaveman]

"Then there is the issue that feeding them attracts snakes. Yipes! "

Gracie are you kidding me! I love feeding and watching the birds. Snakes simply never crossed my mind. I recall seeing pics of many homes for sale, that had bird feeders in the yards. This will be a major disappointment.
Somebody say it ain't so . . . .!!!!

Betty

and mice.

[NJblue]

I had the same observation about lack of birds. In the spring we had a lot of mockingbirds which are nice to listen to. However, as the summer progressed, they stopped their singing, which probably makes sense as the mating season winds down.

I hope the construction is the reason for the lack of birds and that at some point they come back. However, birds tends to like areas with heavy cover and the way the houses are built so close together here and the way people landscape their yards, there isn't much natural cover for the birds to hide in.

[Opulence]

I had the same observation about lack of birds. In the spring we had a lot of mockingbirds which are nice to listen to. However, as the summer progressed, they stopped their singing, which probably makes sense as the mating season winds down.

I hope the construction is the reason for the lack of birds and that at some point they come back. However, birds tends to like areas with heavy cover and the way the houses are built so close together here and the way people landscape their yards, there isn't much natural cover for the birds to hide in.


NJBlue - I don't live in TV yet, but I do try to keep up with everything that's happening there via TOTV. I do hope the birds come back. This is just an observation but it is a little scary if you think about it. First certain areas were overrun with frogs last year, frogs everywhere - this year NO FROGS - instead areas of TV were swarmed with "blind mosquitoes" (just ask Kathie). The mosquitoe invasion is probably the direct result of no frogs . . and now no birds . . . hmmmm - could it be that the natural balance of things is way out of kilter??? I sure hope someone takes notice and does something - this could be a major Eco problem if not restored. If anyone notices Lake Sumpter looking a little on the red side, let me know for sure!

Betty

[swrinfla]

I think NJblue is right. My area is much more established than it used to be (most homes are 4-1/2 to 5 years old, now), and folks have put in more trees and bushes and places where birds like to be. Eventually, even the newest portions of TV will return to "normal."

But, I somehow doubt that "normal" will NOT be what we were used to "up north." The heavily treed areas there are not likely to happen here, at least not for many, many years.

I've had many sparrows, mourning doves, mocking birds, blue jays, grackles/starlings, etc., around the house. And the many water birds can be seen frequently flying over.

SWR
:beer3:

[Talk Host]

You don't often find a bird 55 years of age or older. Not allowed in.

[Laura]

We have TONS of morning birds, mocking birds and one more that I don't recognize. Used to have a cardinal in my tree, but not any more.

[ttown]

I'm in the"historic" side and they are all in my backyard chowing down. I have feeders and water and all sorts of birds from cranes to Carolina Wrens. I fill the feeders daily. So put out food and water and they will come.

[JAV0108]

I just had to comment on this one. I have lived in North and North Central FL for 6 1/2 years. The last 5 years were drought years and then all H--- broke loose in the rain department this summer. With the drought years came no blind mosquito's, not many frogs, and birds, birds and more birds. Northern cardinals, sparrows, robins (in Feb. only, just passing through) blue jays, morning doves etc, I could go on and on. I think now with the heavy rains that the birds are back in the dense forests around the area as there is so much plentiful food this year. During the drought years I had so many birds at my feeders, it was wonderful. As far as snakes and rodents going after your bird food and feeders, I would say that it is not a problem unless you don't keep things raked and neat. If you let the bird food pile up on the ground and get wet and moldy you will probably get roaches over anything else. I also would suggest storing your bird food in a metal covered garbage can in your garage, anything else does not work and can attract all sorts of critters. This time of the year is the least active for birds at your feeders. Once winter sets in you'll see more, and of course spring is the best. Keep on feeding.................

[downeaster]

We have Mocking Birds, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, Red Tail Hawks, Thrashers, Finches, Blue Jays, Humming Birds, and assorted others including those noisy Grackles. Fortunately we don't seem to have any Starlings.
We had Bluebirds in our BB house for a few years but trees got large and BB's like open spaces. I hear them occasionally so they aren't too far away.
We don't feed the birds. There is enough natural food for them.
You won't see Robins here except in late January and early February when they pass through in large flocks on their way north.
BTW, once you start feeding them you are committed. If you leave for any extended period have someone carry on for you. The birds get used to finding their food at the same location and may not be able to find it on their own when that location no longer provides.
Bird population is based on availability of food. If they are fed on a regular basis long enough,the population will increase If that source suddenly stops then there not be sufficient food for the existing population.
Nature exists on a very delicate balance.

[SUNNYMARYANN]

feeding the birds really does attract snakes and rodents. I found that out this past winter when I saw rats eating the dropped seed beneath our feeders. Solved that by removing the feeders. Sorry for the birds but dont want rodents or snakes in my back yard.

[golf2140]

The birds are starting to return. I was talking to our neighbor and he just arrived from New York. He said they had a wet summer and he is glad to be back in TV.:pepper2:

[Muncle]

feeding the birds really does attract snakes and rodents. I found that out this past winter when I saw rats eating the dropped seed beneath our feeders. Solved that by removing the feeders. Sorry for the birds but dont want rodents or snakes in my back yard.

Then there was the guy who got the snake to eat the rat who ate the bird seed, but you know the danger:


There Was An Old Woman

There was an old woman who swallowed a fly,
I don't know why she swallowed a fly,
Perhaps she'll die.

There was an old woman who swallowed a spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
Perhaps she'll die.

There was an old woman who swallowed a bird,
How absurd! to swallow a bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
Perhaps she'll die.

There was an old woman who swallowed a cat,
Imagine that! to swallow a cat,
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
Perhaps she'll die.

There was an old woman who swallowed a dog,
What a hog! to swallow a dog,
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
Perhaps she'll die.

There was an old woman who swallowed a goat,
Just opened her throat! to swallow a goat,
She swallowed the goat to catch the dog,
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
Perhaps she'll die.

There was an old woman who swallowed a cow,
I don't know how she swallowed a cow!
She swallowed the cow to catch the goat,
She swallowed the goat to catch the dog,
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
Perhaps she'll die.

There was an old woman who swallowed a horse,
She's dead—of course!




`

[graciegirl]

English majors abound hereabouts.