Every year when early October rolls around, people tell me that the number and variety of birds visiting their feeders and birdbaths has dropped off significantly.  That always leads to question, “Where are they?”  Depending on where you live, and whether not the habitat near your home has changed, and other factors, the reasons for a decline can vary from yard to yard.  That being the case, I attribute the drop-in activity around most bird feeders to three things. 

       Many of the common migratory birds that inhabit our will shortly reach their winter homes.  That alone can make a big dent in your backyard bird population.  While many of these birds do not often visit seed feeders, they do frequently bathe and drink at birdbaths.

       In late summer and early fall, the abundance of seeds produced by native plants is greater than it is at any other time of the year.  As such they birds have an abundance of places where they can feed this provides them with lots of spots where they can dine elsewhere.

       Another reason your backyard bird population is low is that for folks in most parts of Georgia, southbound migrants have not yet reached the Peach State. This is the case for white-throated sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, blackbirds, and others.

       Another thing to consider is some of our permanent residents, such as the chipping sparrows have yet to form winter flocks. Consequently, if your yard is not in a chipping sparrow breeding territory, chances are you will have to wait awhile to see them in your yard.

       The bottom line is be patient, if your feeding area is safe, feeders are stocked with variety of foods, and clean water is close by, I promise they will come; just be patient.