Forum Topic

Where are all the little Robins and bBluetits gone?

I have been doing quite a bit of gardening recently and just realised that there does seem to be very few little birds around at present.Normally when I start digging along comes a Robin to help himself so some juicy worm - recently - nothing! Or Bluetits eating the nuts I put out for them.Is it just me or has anyone else noticed this happening?

Jean F Fernandez ● 5513d39 Comments

Jean i have noticed that the birds have not been at the feeders in my garden for over a week now but did notice a couple of starlings early this morning pecking away.Maybe it's nesting/baby time ? or is it a bit late for that ?

Ellie Rose ● 5513d

I usually see lots of blue tits, and some robins, but there do seem to be fewer at the moment.  I was told by the RSPB a couple of years ago that this is often because many species have been worn to a frazzle by looking after broods, and have lost quite a lot of feather condition, so tend to keep away from their normal activities.  I think it's just a case of putting decent food out for them and hoping they'll soon feel like putting in public appearances once again!  Of course, the large numbers of parakeets have affected small birds somewhat, but there's little to be done about that.

Nina Battleday ● 5513d

All my birds have gone, even the two collar doves (the one's with the blue ring around their necks.)The best food to give is, wild bird seed with insects.  The robins go mad for it.

Nicola Howard ● 5513d

And what about the parakeets?I don't miss the squawking, but they don't visit anymore. Have they started culling them?

Fred Bray ● 5513d

Loads of parakeets in Shaa Rd the other night,  the noise was horrendous as I walked along the road.

Jen Morty ● 5513d

Robins are seen usually in the winter and early spring. We get them here in East Acton along with crows and pigeons. We also get seagulls here now in the summer. Don't see many bluetits although i can't help noticing a lot of white ones in the summertime too.

David Wright ● 5512d

It's quite normal for this time of year - seehttp://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/decline/summer.aspxI am still getting the usual visitors to my feeders (tits, goldfinches, etc) but in much smaller numbers. Parakeets also visit occasionally: they will all be back in the autumn!

Lorna Dodd ● 5512d

This is good news; whilst missing the little birds I am enjoying the little bats at dusk in my garden!

Sarah Allan ● 5512d

But what I want to know is...where have they gone???Did they pack their little bags and gone on holiday? I guess everyone else seems to be on holiday too!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5512d

Jean - They may, of course, have packed their bags and gone on holiday, but I think the answer is that they keep a low profile while they are looking rather shabby.  I did have a lovely collection of goldfinches on my feeder this afternoon, including a very young one. My indoor cat is very keen on birdwatching, and particularly likes the parakeets, but they're perfectly safe from her.!

Nina Battleday ● 5512d

I had loads of magpies annoying them here so there is a feeder hidden in a large rose bush. Do they have fresh water?

Chris Bell ● 5512d

Do hope its not this. Seen one in my garden and it is infectous

Bob Crossley ● 5512d

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14380813

Bob Crossley ● 5512d

loads of them here in west ealing even herons

Noel Mcallister ● 5511d

I read something about malaria affecting small birds this year.Beggars belief really...

Keith Iddon ● 5511d

I am feeding fairly large numbers of small birds here, they appear to be getting used to me filling the feeder and they push each other out of the way, but they are very selective. They take what they want and just dump anything else, so I haver to take care to avoid feeding other animals.

Chris Bell ● 5511d

Which area is that Chris?I was beginning to think that Acton isn't 'posh' enough for them!!!I have put put out water and food but still no takers! Well not as far as I can see!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5510d

They probably sneak up when you're not looking! I always top up the feeder in the evening and it's well on the way to empty the next morning. I keep my cats in at night, so there is presumably a feeding frenzy on the sunflower hearts before we all get up...The RSPB recommends that if birds get used to coming to you for food you should continue to put it out, even if you don't see many birds. If they know supplies will be available, they will journey specially, wasting vital energy if there's nothing there. I used to stop putting food out in the summer, but now continue all year round, just putting out less when there are fewer birds around.

Lorna Dodd ● 5510d

I have three feeders hanging outside my flat windows. We have had robins tits sparrows greenfinches goldfinches longtailed tits wrens and many other occasional visiting small birds. Surprisingly we get woodpeckers too and have had jays, magpies wood pigeons, magpies and crows attempting the nuts and seed feeders with acrobatic skill. Our most annoying visitors are the parakeets. They are pretty but the squawking has destroyed the dawn chorus. They do bully other birds from the feeders. I tend to drive then away.As for our small birds, we get the parents feeding young on the window ledges normally. This year the numbers are massively down. Even the Greenfinches seem to have scarpered. I have seen a bird of prey doing the run of the railway lines outside(won't pretend to know what type). Their increase in number probably isn't helping. There have also been a lot of magpies and crows this year too. Probably full of small hatchlings! Keep putting the food out, and don't forget water!

Giuseppe Belli ● 5510d

I am in North Acton, between the cemetery and the Western Avenue. Many of the trees and bushes have been cleared alongside the railways, but there are still many left in the area. I saw many more magpies while the young birds were emerging but it is much quieter now.

Chris Bell ● 5510d

Jean - You'll be pleased to know that several of my blue tits and great tits seem to have returned from their holidays, and are, thankfully, all looking quite spruce!  No eveidence of what we are told is a form of malaria. So probably they'll start eating me out of house and home again - good bird food is not the cheapest, is it?

Nina Battleday ● 5509d

Oh Nina, that is a relief, I was really missing seeing the little birds feeding in my garden.I agree that bird food is not the cheapest but it is such a joy to watch our little feathered friends that I really don't mind!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5509d

Jean - and it provides great entertainment for my cat!  Just glad that she doesn't go outside.  I still haven't seen any robins, or dunnocks, but maybe they've caught a later flight!

Nina Battleday ● 5509d

Jean - saw a couple of lovely fat robins today, and also several healthy looking blue tits.  I have ordered extra bird food for them - not cold enough for fat balls yet, but will get them in due course.  My grandmother used to make them a 'fat pie' using fat from meat (those were the days!) with breadcrumbs and dried fruit.  Delicious!!

Nina Battleday ● 5509d

My birds have come back.

Nicola Howard ● 5495d

Mine too.......In abundance !!

Ellie Rose ● 5495d

Bob Crossley ● 5495d

Thanks Bob.

Nicola Howard ● 5495d

Love the Robin. Brilliant picture

Bob Crossley ● 5495d

Thanks, plenty more.

Nicola Howard ● 5495d

I think the robins and blue tits are nesting in my garden.  Sorry about the video quality but, I was hand holding an 88mm lens.

Nicola Howard ● 5257d

That's interesting Sarah, where abouts in Acton are you? I'm in Avenue Road and have two bat roosts ready to put up but I wondered if there were actually any bats in Acton!

Gareth Sinclair ● 5242d

How lovely. I have lots of blue tits, and had coal tits flying around the living room twice recently. I feed a pair of robins and a pair of blackbirds that must be nesting in the garden.

R Bell ● 5242d

My garden is a hive of activity, robins, sparrows, blue tits and starlings.

Nicola Howard ● 5242d

I have robins,blue tits,great tits and last friday and saturday a great spotted woodpecker feeding on the peanut feeder.we also put out fat balls,seed feeder,also put meal worms on the lawn,great tits,robins,and blackbirds love them.I'm just 20 yards off acton high st.

michael brayshay ● 5242d

the dawn chorus is wonderful.....estate agents need to promote the area with more vigour in this respect.Come to Acton and live in the country! 

Dee Cook ● 5241d

I get quite a few Robins and lot's of bBluetit's in my garden, I don't really feed them, but I do put out tray like a cat litter tray full of water and with a brick in it (for the birds to stand on for a drink or a wash) also lot's of foxes in the garden.The stray cat that visits me, has 'gifted' me 2 tiny dead  sparrows with not a mark on them, which I find odd (the lack of marks or blood) I have yet to see a Goldfinch, or identify one, maybe I've forgotten what they look like.There was a big battle in the skys at rooftop level last week between the Magpie's and the Crow's, the Magpie's won 10 - 4

John Pollastrini ● 5240d

Very busy at my 'fly through restaurant' today. Three sparrows just out of the nest being fed by parents - they have worked out where the goodies are, but not yet got the flying skills to perch on the feeder pegs. Two young starlings, one has already mastered the fat ball feeder. Also two new blue tits and a young robin on the scene and adult starlings gathering up mealworms to take back to nests. Finally, two new ringed doves appeared an hour ago.Just need an avian ASBO to deter the parakeets who bully the little ones and hog feeder ports early morning and before dusk.

Charles Gallichan ● 5237d

Found this little fellow in my bedroom.  I wonder if I can train him/her to be a Thieving Magpie?

Nicola Howard ● 5234d