Backyard Birding Forum

We have gone along time with out substantial rain. I have way less birds this year than last, or even the begining of the summer. Hopefully next year is better. How is everyone else fairing?

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Ryan

about the same here.

we had the 2nd driest august since records were kept in the 50s.

i remember that may was pretty rough too, but i can't remember why.  i reckon it's also due to a lack rain, but i cannot be sure.

EDIT: the news just said that we're at half of what we should be since may.

We are just now getting a decent amount of hummingbirds on the window feeders.

I built a new deck so had to move some feeders around.

Added five hangers to the deck. 1 holds a large tube feeder full of safflower seeds. The titmice and house finches seem to like them.
Another has the thistle feeder.
And 3 of them I got hanging flowering plants that looked like a hummingbird could feed from them. No luck so far though.

Got a peanut feeder but it hasn't been touched as far as I can tell.

It's been too hot for suet so I got one of those heat resistant suet blocks. I think it drove my woodpeckers away. They were here everyday on regular suet and I haven't seen them touch this one yet.

Blackbirds/Grackles swoop in everyday and hit the ground feeder.

I Put up a bug zapper back there. It's funny to watch the cardinals hit the pile of carcasses in the morning. They seem to love it. I'm leaving the zapper on all night now so there are even more dead bugs for them to eat each morning.

And the usual carolina wrens, sparrows, a few goldfinches,etc and 1 big blue jay.
Been a boring summer for birds so far.

I am noticing the lack of birds this year. Usually the nuthatches and chickadees are quite abundant but the last several weeks I have seen none. I've got a well blended seed mix and plenty of suet.

08 has been a great year so far. we have gotten plenty of rain. I am going through a 40 pound bag of black oil sunflower about every 3 weeks.

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Ryan

A-hah! So all my birds are in Maryland. :(


We are finally getting enough hummingbirds to see them fighting over the feeders now.

hey guys!  sorry i haven't been around much.  way too much going on trying to fix stuff around the house.

it's been a fairly quiet year for me too.  just the regulars.  did manage a few decent shots of some woodpecker.  i'll ahve to upload pics this weekend.  :)