I know there is generally a lull this time of year as pointed out but to be
honest - this is ridiculous.  To not hear or see one single solitary bird is
beyond comprehension considering all the years I've been watching my yard
and noting birds visiting the feeders on a very regular basis for years.
Sure, I get slow times around now as birds migrate and has been discussed -
but to not see or hear one bird at all has been alarming.  I mean there are
food sources in the neighborhood but it's literally been silent here when
there's been in the past at least some auditory information gathered that
birds are present and simply not using the feeders.  Shouldn't we at least
hear some birds foraging?

Could there be a major die-off that happened, or was it truly a poor
breeding season considering all the rain?  I guess we should stock up on
feeder food to support those who survived to try to keep them healthy
through the lean winter months.

Donna

----- Original Message -----
From: "Carrier Graphics" carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 11:29 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Where Have They Gone?

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06:39:00

We probably can't rule out a die off and time will likely tell, but I have anecdotally noted lots and lots of birds in areas with abundant natural food sources and many seed crops do appear to be great this year.  The Summer Bird Count results are still being tabulated, but in general there were far more record highs than record lows this count and overall the numbers were pretty good, so if something happened it would have been between then and now.

Patrick Comins Meriden.

From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org [ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Sunshine [sunny19682@comcast.net]
Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 9:27 AM
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Where Have They Gone?

I know there is generally a lull this time of year as pointed out but to be
honest - this is ridiculous.  To not hear or see one single solitary bird is
beyond comprehension considering all the years I've been watching my yard
and noting birds visiting the feeders on a very regular basis for years.
Sure, I get slow times around now as birds migrate and has been discussed -
but to not see or hear one bird at all has been alarming.  I mean there are
food sources in the neighborhood but it's literally been silent here when
there's been in the past at least some auditory information gathered that
birds are present and simply not using the feeders.  Shouldn't we at least
hear some birds foraging?

Could there be a major die-off that happened, or was it truly a poor
breeding season considering all the rain?  I guess we should stock up on
feeder food to support those who survived to try to keep them healthy
through the lean winter months.

Donna

----- Original Message -----
From: "Carrier Graphics" carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 11:29 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Where Have They Gone?

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.9/2428 - Release Date: 10/11/09
06:39:00

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

Greg Hanisek discussed this matter in his column today in the Waterbury
Sunday Republican.  The title was "Birds too busy moving to stop by
backyard feeders."  He said there's no need to worry, that we're at a
time of year that local birds are moving out and birds from farther
north are moving in.  Birds have not settled into winter feeding areas
yet and there is an abundance of natural food.  "There's easy food at
every turn", he states.

~Carol Bauby
Harwinton

COMINS, Patrick wrote:

Not a year has gone by in the last 15 years where some people
come into or call us at The Fat Robin asking us where their birds are.
This year is does seem to be a bit more widespread than usual but I
don't believe there is a shortage of birds in general.  We have
boatloads of sparrows etc but all are feeding happily on weed seeds etc
but few are coming to our feeders for instance. Take a walk in the woods and unlike last fall you
will see a huge crop of acorns, seeds and nuts of all kinds.

We do have our usual Cardinals etc but not as many as usual.  Goldfinch
and Woodpeckers are plentiful at the feeders to keep us entertained
until the others return more regularly to the feeders as well.  I
wouldn't worry that there has been some sort of catastrophic event, in
fact I think it's a great year for the birds with so much food around
even if it's not the best for us seeing them outside our windows.  I
suspect it won't be long before they are back to the feeders.

No matter what though it will seem quieter than last winter when Carol and I hosted up to 400 Pine Siskins for few months!

Jim

The Fat RobinWild Bird and Nature Shop
3000 Whitney Ave.  Hamden, CT 06518
www.fatrobin.com
203-248-7068
Toll Free U.S.  1-866-Fat-Robin

Jim Zipp Bird Photography  www.JimZippPhotography.com

From: Carol Bauby gypsy.carol@charter.net
To: "COMINS, Patrick" PCOMINS@audubon.org
Cc: "ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org" ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 11:27:47 AM
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Where Have They Gone?

Greg Hanisek discussed this matter in his column today in the Waterbury
Sunday Republican.  The title was "Birds too busy moving to stop by
backyard feeders."  He said there's no need to worry, that we're at a
time of year that local birds are moving out and birds from farther
north are moving in.  Birds have not settled into winter feeding areas
yet and there is an abundance of natural food.  "There's easy food at
every turn", he states.

~Carol Bauby
Harwinton

COMINS, Patrick wrote:

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

CT Birders -

I am absolutely not seeing a lull at the feeders or anywhere on the sanctuary. There are birds everywhere!

Today's notables are -

PURPLE FINCH - at feeder (1st of the fall)
HOUSE FINCH - 50 +(emptying my feeders!)
DARK EYED JUNCO - at feeder (1st of the fall)
EASTERN PHOEBE - 2
CHIPPING SPARROWS - 25+
AMERICAN ROBINS - 20
YELLOW RUMPED WARBLERS - 2 at waterfall
GOLDEN CROWNED KINGLET
RUBY CROWNED KINGLET - 2
EASTERN TOWHEE
GRAY CATBIRD
SWAMP SPARROW
WHITE THROATED SPARROWS - 5 at feeders
SONG SPARROW - 2 at feeder
COMMON RAVEN - 2 flyover
CEDAR WAXWINGS- 5
EASTERN BLUEBIRD - 12 at mealworm feeder( all over the boxes last few days)

Had a PINE WARBLER yesterday that was foraging in the grass next to the waterfall with two yellow rumps!  First time I have ever seen one on the ground.

I learned a new call of the e. towhee, I kept hearing this buzzy  high call and finally found a female plumaged towhee. I looked it up in Sibleys and it describes it as a flight call. This bird was either foraging or perching, definitely not flying! :)))  she spent several days here before moving on and I heard it each day she was hear. Pretty cool!

For Roy --

10/12 ---  Southington MVSSanctuary --- Pair of COMMON RAVENS flyover, PURPLE FINCH

Jayne Amico/Southington