In spring, you may have noticed the seemingly endless antics of the birds that share our greenspaces, whether that was their early morning song or adults busily nest-building and rearing their young. In contrast, late summer can seem oddly bereft of birdlife.
In August, a common question we’re asked at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) base in Thetford is: “Where have my garden birds gone?” Any bird food provided is largely ignored, and the cheery sound of birdsong can seem little more than a vague memory. Thankfully, we can reassure concerned nature lovers that this is quite normal for the time of year.
Whilst BTO data confirm that some of our more familiar garden birds, such as Song Thrush, Greenfinch, House Sparrow and Starling, have experienced worrying population declines in recent years, this mid-summer lull is all part of the natural cycle. As adult birds reach the end of the hectic breeding season, they need recovery time. Spending weeks on end defending territories, making nests, laying eggs and feeding chicks is arduous work.
Growing new, strong feathers ensures that they are in the best shape to endure whatever autumn and winter throws at them, so late summer is the perfect time to do this. In most bird species, adults moult their worn-out, tatty feathers in August, once their offspring have fledged and no longer rely on their parents. Regrowing these feathers takes time and energy. It also renders birds less agile and more easily caught by predators, so they usually keep a low profile during the process. This, in turn, can give the impression that birds have deserted our local greenspaces.
Another benefit of moulting now is also linked to the apparent absence of birds. Replacing feathers requires high-energy sustenance and natural food availability peaks in late summer. So, now that most of our garden birds no longer need to defend a seasonal territory, many head out into the wider countryside to take advantage of a natural bounty. Seeds, berries, fruit, caterpillars and more are flourishing in our fields, woodlands and hedgerows, and this is where many of our garden visitors go to exploit this pre-autumnal glut.
Once the wild store has been depleted, the birds will return to the relatively safe confines of our gardens and start to become more noticeable again. As natural resources become scarcer, they will also appreciate our feeders and birdbaths.
BTO’s latest advice, updated in April 2026, is to feed birds in ways that:
- reduce repeated use of the same feeding spots by large numbers of birds;
- avoid creating predictable, long-lasting feeding sites where contamination can build up;
- encourage movement and turnover, more like natural food patches that come and go;
- adjust food types seasonally, particularly during higher-risk periods;
- keep the benefits of feeding while reducing unintended disease risk.
Seeds and peanuts are favoured by finches, including some species whose populations have been hit by finch trichomonosis. The scientific evidence shows that the risks from this disease increase during the post-breeding period, so limiting access to these foods in summer helps lower transmission risk. If you feed seeds and peanuts to your local birds, please only provide such foods November-April.
Other bird-friendly foods, such as mealworms and fat/suet products, can safely be provided year-round by following the advice above.
Nick Moran and the British Trust for Ornithology team
