Blackbirds

[hmsganges]

For some months now we have been feeding a family of blackbirds. The parents come up to our window to get our attention and then await their feed of currants and mealy worms. One parent in particular has been doing this for the last 3 years and has become almost a family pet. Now they have suddenly disappeared. Does anyone know why?

[Robinia]

I have blackbirds coming to my windowsill too. Every year about this time they disappear, there's a lot of food elsewhere, berries etc and they also like to lie low while they moult and gain their new feathers. Don't worry, he/she will be back in a couple of looking a whole lot smarter and wanting to be fed during the winter. :)

[Robinia]

*couple of months

[chaptazbru2]

Birds always disappear for whatever reason due to nature. My 'spring' sparrows have now gone, but they'll be back next year when nesting starts again. I also had, for the first time, a pied wagtail and a yellow wagtail, the yellow wagtail brought her youngster and fed her here which was lovely, but they all eventually vanished and I truly hope that they'll be back.

[Milvus]

Your yellow wagtails are migrants chap, so might be on their way back to Africa now. I would with this weather.

[chaptazbru2]

I've not seen her since early summer though Milvus, would she go back that early ? I hope nothing has happened to her.

[Milvus]

No probably not. Now is about the right time. Like the pied and grey wagtails, they are insect eaters, so as Robinia says they'll be off out to the countryside, probably near water, where there are lots of flying insects hatching

[chaptazbru2]

I have a river literally around the corner from me, plenty of food there then. I just hope they come back again one day. They loved the meal worms I put out.