Songbirds have gone

MargaretR · 07-08-2009, 07:18

This is the second day in a row when the air is spookily silent around here.
There are usually lots of birds in the trees at the front and back of my flat.
For two days I have seen very few and the ones I have seen aren't singing.

It is unsettling - the sort of phenomenon you get just before an earthquake.

Has anyone else noticed this where you live?

Less · 07-08-2009, 07:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

This is the second day in a row when the air is spookily silent around here.
There are usually lots of birds in the trees at the front and back of my flat.
For two days I have seen very few and the ones I have seen aren't singing.

It is unsettling - the sort of phenomenon you get just before an earthquake.

Has anyone else noticed this where you live?

Turn your hearing aid on you daft thing that will make a difference.

MargaretR · 07-08-2009, 07:27

I am being serious here
There have been more mini dogfights too.
It seems like birds and animals are feeling tension about something

jaysay · 07-08-2009, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I am being serious here
There have been more mini dogfights too.
It seems like birds and animals are feeling tension about something

There are quite a few Kestrels and Sparrow Hawks about Margaret, more than usual, maybe that's keeping them quiet

katex · 07-08-2009, 10:04

Havn't noticed any difference to the ducks, they are still happily quacking away to each other.

MargaretR · 07-08-2009, 10:11

The roosters on the allotments were calling at dawn as usual, but I am still missing the cheeping of the wild ones.

Maybe it is the heaviness in the air - we need a good lightening storm.

Retlaw · 07-08-2009, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I am being serious here
There have been more mini dogfights too.
It seems like birds and animals are feeling tension about something

After July most birds go silent, we still have the same number of sparrows and blackbirds visit the garden, but they don't make as much noise. We have shallow water dishes and a patch of dry earth for them to bathe in, the sparows spent ages yesterday giving themselves a bath.
In spring they squabble like heck, but the breeding seasons over.

Retlaw.

MargaretR · 07-08-2009, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

After July most birds go silent, we still have the same number of sparrows and blackbirds visit the garden, but they don't make as much noise. We have shallow water dishes and a patch of dry earth for them to bathe in, the sparows spent ages yesterday giving themselves a bath.
In spring they squabble like heck, but the breeding seasons over.

Retlaw.

So all those henpecked males have shut up as they were told

....thanks for the explanation - feel less anxious myself now

jaysay · 07-08-2009, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Havn't noticed any difference to the ducks, they are still happily quacking away to each other.

That's because they're Quackers kate

katex · 07-08-2009, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

That's because they're Quackers kate

LOL .. maybe .. but they give me hours of entertainment with their funny little antics.

Benipete · 07-08-2009, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

So all those henpecked males have shut up as they were told

....thanks for the explanation - feel less anxious myself now

Could explain why I've been quiet for years!!

garinda · 07-08-2009, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

LOL .. maybe .. but they give me hours of entertainment with their funny little antics.

Me too. Just been to watch them with my nephew.

(I'd better not mention we also fed them, for fear of being told off for giving them the wrong food.)

I was still awake for today's dawn chorus, and down here it seemed fairly normal, though as was pointed out, not quiet as manic, or as loud as in the springtime.

I used to accuse my Italian friend's grandmother for the declining numbers of our birds. At least those that migrate south in the winter, and risk being caught and baked in a pie by all those latin nonnas.

south aussie · 07-08-2009, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

This is the second day in a row when the air is spookily silent around here.
There are usually lots of birds in the trees at the front and back of my flat.
For two days I have seen very few and the ones I have seen aren't singing.

It is unsettling - the sort of phenomenon you get just before an earthquake.
Has anyone else noticed this where you live?

Everything as normal this morning [bird wise].
Parrots,lorikeets,honey eaters,magpies ,noisey miner birds,piping shrikes galahs,sulphur crested cockatoos ,cockateels,all up early and making plenty of noise.
The pelicans were a bit quiet though!

Retlaw · 07-08-2009, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

So all those henpecked males have shut up as they were told

....thanks for the explanation - feel less anxious myself now

Not quite right Margaret, its the males who select the pecking order, put out some of those fat balls and watch who gets first peck, females have to get out of the way when the boss turns up as do the young males.
Male sparrows have a black throat.

Over to you.

Retlaw

Less · 07-08-2009, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I am being serious here

So am I, as has been pointed out if you are up early enough for the Dawn chorus all seems well.