Bird Feeders are full, where are the birds?

K31 · Dec 28, 2017

I haven't really noticed a slow down in bird visits, I see crows, wrens, nuthatches, cardinals, woodpeckers, the usual winter swarms of grackles and starlings but I don't let them land in the yard when I can help it.

The wife said something about there being a near absence of acorns this year and I have to say, I saw almost none when usually the deck and woods have plenty.

ChannelCat · Dec 28, 2017

wilcam47 said:
typically they start hitting feeders when they run out of food elsewhere, maybe this year was a good year for forage/seeded plants?

Stole my thunder on this one. They'll be back when the other sources run out though, especially if we get another snow. This cold snap could being them around as well. Although we have been getting a ruby crown kinglet as well as a golden crown kinglet.

Neot · Dec 28, 2017

Been seeing all the regulars....woodpeckers, cardinals, nuthatches, chickadees, wrens, blue jays but for the first time yesterday I saw a group of eastern bluebirds. Hadn't seen them since I moved in. I've mostly been putting out a mix that has mainly sunflower seeds and they crush it. Probably the coolest bird I've seen feeding from it was a Scarlet Tanager. The bright red of the tanager puts a cardinal to shame.

BlueFin · Dec 28, 2017

We are in Gaithersburg area and I have all kinds of birds on my 2 seed feeders and 2 suet feeders. Cardinals, Titmouse, Chickadees, 3 kinds of small woodpeckers and hordes of Junco on the ground. Squirrels would mess it sometimes. The wife had so much fun watching them every morning.

Dave · Dec 28, 2017

Just moved out to Gamber. Never seen this many blue jays in one area before.

Neot · Dec 29, 2017

Out in the yard there are what looks to be a Towhee in the leaves searching for bugs or seeds. My first time seeing them out there.

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John from MD · Dec 29, 2017

I have seen Towhees for the last 2 years. They are considered a non-migrator in VA. Maybe a few got lost? :shrug:

Blacksmith101 · Dec 29, 2017

namrelio said:
I had a similar problem. Lots of birds one day, hardly any the next. Turns out a small bird hawk was hanging around and eating a lot of birds. Somebody got the hawk with a pellet rifle , and I haven't had a problem since.

As you can see from this legal language, migratory birds are highly regulated. Some migratory birds, like waterfowl can be legally hunted and possessed. However, there is no such provision for raptors. Eagles, ospreys, hawks, falcons, kites, owls, vultures and all other native North American birds of prey are strictly protected, to include a prohibition against the taking or possession of their parts such as feathers or talons. The only exceptions generally allowed for individuals to these prohibitions require permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Educational and scientific institutions are exempted from most permit requirements.

Penalties for violations of the MBTA can reach $15,000 and six months imprisonment for common violations. The sale or barter of migratory birds is a felony with penalties up to $500,000 and two years imprisonment. Some raptors are also protected under the Endangered Species Act, and both the Bald and Golden Eagles are also protected under the Eagle Act.

http://www.gpnc.org/raptors1.htm

Mr H · Dec 29, 2017

Neot said:
Out in the yard there are what looks to be a Towhee in the leaves searching for bugs or seeds. My first time seeing them out there.

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Don't usually see them around here until late Feb...

woodstock · Dec 29, 2017

butler, md here. noticed not many of anything on my feeders. finches and some hoary woodpeckers on the finch feeder and the occasional "snowbird" on the ground, not much else. not many hummingbirds last summer either. nature at it's finest.

Blaster229 · Dec 31, 2017

What kind of bird is this? I have a ton of them at the house. Purdy rascals.

SKIP · Dec 31, 2017

Commonly called Snow Birds but I believe that are Juncos.

swinokur · Dec 31, 2017

I thought the Snow Birds were found in FL.

Glaron · Dec 31, 2017

My bird feeder is on the porch. County cut down the tree.

Neot · Dec 31, 2017

Blaster229 said:
What kind of bird is this? I have a ton of them at the house. Purdy rascals.

We have tons of those around here. Usually one meets it's maker flying into a window once a week lol

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woodstock · Dec 31, 2017

yep http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/dark-eyed-junco

SKIP said:
Commonly called Snow Birds but I believe that are Juncos.

SKIP · Dec 31, 2017

Neot said:
We have tons of those around here. Usually one meets it's maker flying into a window once a week lol

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I have a greenhouse and it takes a toll on all kinds of birds.
Most are stun and recover but many die.
No cure for this bird flu.

Blaster229 · Dec 31, 2017

woodstock said:
yep http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/dark-eyed-junco

Mystery solved! Thanks.

platoonDaddy · Dec 31, 2017

woodstock said:
yep http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/dark-eyed-junco

Using the map from your link, any idea on what that dark color over MD represents, or is it my monitor? :-)

Mr H · Dec 31, 2017

platoonDaddy said:
Using the map from your link, any idea on what that dark color over MD represents, or is it my monitor? :-)

The purple swath is generally the upper elevations where they can be found in the summer months.

It surprised me when I saw them near Swallow Falls in June!!

Bird Feeders are full, where are the birds?

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