We have had a discussion about the scarcity of Pine Siskins but I am also
noticing that there are considerably fewer birds at my feeders than usual at
this time of year. At this time of year I usually have to refill my large
sunflower seed feeder every day and my peanut feeder at least every other
day. Now both are lasting well over a week. By this time we usually have
many House Finch pairs munching away as well as many Chicadees, and House
Sparrows. Swarms of Bushtits are usually arriving a regular intervals and 5
or 6 Steller Jays would always be waiting for me to give them they peanuts
in the shell in the mornings. I haven't seen any Bushtits here this Spring;
an occasional, single Steller comes by and only the occasional House Finch.
In previous years our yard has been almost deafening with bird song--now
almost nothing. Is anyone else experiencing anything like this?

Margaret Parkinson
University District, Seattle.