there seems to be a bit of a lull in feeding activities just lately, I guess its due to plenty of natural food around at the mo.
With the cooler mornings coming, I think they will gradually be returning.
I have noticed this too. I think that, in my case anyway, there were a lot of babies that have now either gone their own way or sadly not made it. There are also a lot of berries and insects around at the moment so they are not so dependant on us. I still see some feeding from the table and feeders but it's not the 'swarm of locusts' it was a couple of months ago. When the weather turns they will be back and will need all we can give them to get through the winter.
Yes our feeders aren't as busy as usual (apart from the obligatory visit from the squirrel!) but there is a young goldfinch who seems to have installed himself on one of the feeders and is just constantly eating - I'm sure he has an eating disorder!
I had a quiet period for a couple of weeks - put it down to there being plenty of grubs/insects around and they didn't need any. However, this week they are all back in full force - blue tits, coal tits, chaffinches, starlings and sparrows. Scattered some seed on the grass for the blackies and starlings and a Jay has been eating his fill this morning. Beautiful bird if a bit predatory.
I've been feeding the birds for many years and its always like this at the end of the season. As has been said there's plenty of food and insects around. They'll be back soon!