"Laurence Sheldon" <lfsheldon@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:6d1gthFc65gU1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> maryann kolb wrote:
>>
>> On Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:55:01 -0700 (PDT), carol
>> <cghappyfeet@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>
>>> I use to see alot of chickadees here in Colorado during the winter and
>>> now none. Will they come back this coming winter? Still have a few
>>> gold finches!
>>
>> Most birds become much more territorial and spread out at nesting
>> time. During the winter they form small mixed flocks and forage for
>> food and are much easier to see and hear.
>
> Agree with that, but think there may be more to the story (that I don't
> clearly understand).
>
> Until a few weeks ago we had lots of Chickadees, Nuthatches and Grackles
> (among others that are not of interest here). Now, few to none.
>
> If past years are a lesson, we will go through a couple of more cycles
> until cold weather sets in, then the Grackles will be gone until next
> spring, but the other two will continue to come and go.
>
> I'm guessing that "what else is available" and "variety" are factors
> somehow.
> --
After hatching and before fledging, many parent birds develop more
of an interest in catching insects to feed their young than in coming
after
the foods normally available at bird feeders.
I've noticed that grackles tend to move elsewhere if your feeders
run out of food for a few days. The smaller birds do too, but not
far enough to prevent them from coming back when you fill the
feeders again.
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