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Where have all the birds gone in autumn?
It might be quite late in autumn by the time birds return in numbers to your garden
It's autumn but the food I've provided has gone untouched. Why aren't the birds hungry, and when will they turn up?
Autumn is a time of plenty for the birds. If the weather remains mild and the natural food supply is good, birds don't need to resort to bird feeders for food.
They instinctively prefer the natural food in the form of seeds and berries. It can be quite late in the year before the birds start showing interest in our garden offerings again.
Just keep a little food in the feeders, so that as birds pass through they will see there is food there. That way you can ensure that your garden is routinely visited later once the birds do return. Just make sure that the food remains fresh – you may need to change it from time to time.
Where do birds go in autumn?
Our wildlife adviser Richard James unravels the mystery of where our garden birds go in autumn. Published: 15 October 2008