Not sure if this is related to available food, but about a week ago we had a flock of red-winged blackbirds hanging out in the tops of our trees in the back yard (not a huge flock, but maybe 20-30). I don't remember ever seeing them at this time of year, but they were definitely RWBBs.
On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 9:48 AM, Lee Ann van Leer <la...@cornell.edu> wrote: > This is the standard response *Project Feeder Watch* has been giving out. > They are flooded with this very question at this time of year. > > > > <<At FeederWatch, we frequently receive inquiries about an increase or > decline in bird populations. Although it's impossible for us to know the > cause of each specific increase and decline, there are several common > causes for bird population fluctuations. > > > > · The most common cause for a dramatic drop in all bird species at a > feeder is the arrival of a predators, such as a hawk or a cat. > > > > > > > > · Habitat changes frequently affect bird numbers. If there has been any > change in your neighborhood--such as trees being cut down, new houses being > built, or different crops being planted on nearby fields--that could be the > reason you are seeing more or less birds. > > > > · Natural food supplies--such as pine cones, berries, seeds, and > insects--fluctuate from year to year, causing birds to shift ranges to take > advantage of food surpluses or to compensate for food shortages. > > > > · Weather fluctuations often cause birds to shift ranges, especially in > winter. > > I can't speak to what is happening in your area, but I know here in > upstate New York, we had a very rainy summer, and the fruiting trees and > shrubs are bursting with food this fall. If that is the case in your area > as well, the birds are probably finding plenty of foods that they prefer > over what they can find at feeders. > > > > Migration also varies a bit from year to year, and there may be a gap this > year between the departure of birds that summer in your area but winter > elsewhere and the arrival of birds that only come to your area in winter. > Short-term fluctuations are normal and nothing to be concerned about. Once > the weather turns cold and the natural food supplies are consumed, I am > sure birds will be back at your feeders.>> > > > > > > Sincerely, > > > > Lee Ann van Leer > > > > Bird Academy Project Assistant > > Bird Academy <https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/> > > la...@cornell.edu > > (607) 254-8312 > > Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Room 243B > > 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd. > <https://maps.google.com/?q=159+Sapsucker+Woods+Rd.%0D+Ithaca,+NY+14850&entry=gmail&source=g> > > Ithaca, NY 14850 > <https://maps.google.com/?q=159+Sapsucker+Woods+Rd.%0D+Ithaca,+NY+14850&entry=gmail&source=g> > > > > Try our Bird Academy Courses > > > -- > *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* > Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> > Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> > *Archives:* > The Mail Archive > <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> > Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> > BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> > *Please submit your observations to eBird > <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* > -- > -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
