Ornithologists say that the common garden bird species are rarely seen now in the U.K, sparrows in particular have been mentioned. It was not clear if the research was based on urban areas or mixed living conditions, rural and urban. From what I see, the sparrow populations missing elsewhere in the U K must have migrated to where I live, in a small remote town of several thousand souls. The sparrows, the Thrush, Blackbirds, varieties of Crows and Pigeons and Robins, are ubiquitous here.
Here is another species regularly seen: an Oyster Catcher
Currently bird life is able to feed on nature's bounty, there is no need to supplement their food. I would not expect to at this time of year. Admittedly, we have had low temperatures and poor light, when we should have been experiencing something akin to summer. It meant nature was at least six weeks behind on usual annual development, meaning, we were about twelve weeks later than the South of the U.K with the flourishing of flora and fauna. That's a whole season delayed. One consequence of this was, we filled bird feeders well into May this year.
Autumn is supposed to be closing in; we do have warmer temperatures, there is some late flourishing of plant life. Our feathered friends are happily swooping on unwary worms and nibbling on grain. Is this Autumn or, is it the Jet Stream moving at last to allow us to experience some seasonal uplift, giving us a' seasonal' break before winter arrives again. It is physically confusing.
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I couldn't agree more, the weather is SO confusing. We seem to have had autumn for a while now, lots of dead leaves on the lawn and berries abountiful. I know from the amount of young creatures streaming into wildlife that the summer? has proved very difficult, so many creatures have been affected by the endless torrential rain. I keep a weather dairy and note that last summer was very similar, maybe a sign of things to come?xxxxx
Oh nooo......Snowbird, a sign of things to come, all that wet weather. We'll be comparing where is wetter than other places if this goes on.
Wasn't there a hosepipe ban extant down south last year, that nearly crept into this year?
It's still a bit early for autumn, which may well be sunny and warm well into November as it was last year. Mind you once the clocks change it gets darker and noticeably cooler at night. Certainly the seasons seem must less marked than they were, probably a sign of climate change.
House sparrows have been in serious decline for years, especially in big cities like London. There have been various reasons put forward for this but probably a combination of air pollution and changing habitat is the likely cause.
Other small birds have suffered in the past two hard winters.
The recommendation is to feed birds year round if you can although they'll eat less through the summer. Flighty xx
Very interesting issues here Mr F. I think where I live the changing season, whichever one it is meant at the winter season, is usually not only notable with its very short days, but, also with its definitely dropped temperatures. By comparison the the previous two, last winter was kinder. However, comparing most seasons with the previous two winters, it would not be hard to be kinder.
As regards the birds, there is plenty of natural food to be had round hereabouts, with a rural farming area just about on the doorstep. Sea birds are noticeably doing a bit better this year, we know this because we are seeing more of them around the coast and in the waters. We do start feeding the birds from about end October/beginning November, depending on the weather and the general conditions. Unlike you, we are seeing flocks of small garden birds.
The advice to feed birds in the urban environment can have repercussions, as you could end up feeding other species, some of whom have pest status. One relative was virtually ordered not to do so, as she was attracting foxes and hordes of grey squirrels, the latter doing quite a lot of damage in the immediate neighbourhood at the time. As the saying goes....you're damned if you do, and you are damned if you don't.
XX
P.S. Mr F ..."meant to be"
:)
Beautiful photo of the Oyster Catcher. I think the seasons aren't that exact; they seem to be differ a bit, from place to place... and of course, there are wet years and dry... which is part of the ever changing world climate. Wishing you a bit of summer before the autumn arrives.
Thank you Shimon,
We all hope for a bit of summer to build up our inner resources, before the short cold days arrive.
A strange year...
fresh summer, fresh spring, many cloud, many rain, early autumn of which the beginning is like a december month...
Result : An enormous consumption of electricity...
Is it that, the global warming ???
And if the future was a glaciation ???
Salu Alllezvousf
Merci pour ton observations.
I agree, it has been a very strange year for weather. The weather conditions are still very confusing and in some places, very dangerous.
Yes, if this is global warming, when we require to have heating in our houses earlier than usual, what will glaciation be like....
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