Why you'll see less birds in your garden in August

A question we’re often asked once we’re well into August is why there seems to be fewer birds in the garden. Well there are two main reasons, though the first is the more significant…

The two main reasons you’ll see fewer birds in August

1. The birds are still there but hiding whilst they moult

This is the month that most birds, and certainly our garden birds, go through their annual moult. So basically birds are replacing their worn and tatty feathers with a whole new set, with the process normally taking around two weeks. And come this time of year a bird’s feathers really can become worn-out, having endured a hectic breeding season – e.g. squeezing in and out of nests to feed young.

Actually though, the birds may still be in your garden but now there’ll be hiding in undergrowth and doing everything they can to stay out of view of predators. And it’s essential they do this because their ability to fly well is seriously compromised during the time it takes for the flight feathers to regenerate.

Like all garden birds, Blackbirds are much less likely to be seen out in the open like this one during August.

2. Some species may disperse to find new territories

The second reason is that once birds have finished breeding, some may disperse to find new territories. Of course this will inevitably even out, because any birds which leave you may well be replaced by others coming in. But in the short term there can be less birds, and especially ahead of the winter months when they may disperse into the countryside before returning to gardens to find food as the days become colder.

Other reasons you might not see birds in your garden in August

The end of breeding season

The breeding season for many bird species comes to an end by August. They may have moved to a quieter area or simply be less active than they were earlier in the summer months.

The abundance of natural food

Late summer means more natural food sources, such as seeds, berries, and insects, are available for birds. They rely less on garden bird feeders as they have plenty of food sources in the wild.

The beginning of the migration period

August marks the beginning of the migration period for some bird species, such as swifts and swallows. They begin their journey for the winter, leading to fewer sightings in your garden.

Young birds may disperse

Young birds that have fledged earlier in the summer might disperse to join flocks or find their own territories. These movements mean that your garden may have fewer appearances of birds than usual.

Weather changes

British summers can be unpredictable at times, but these patterns can influence bird activity. Hotter temperatures mean that birds might seek shelter during the day, avoiding the hottest parts of the day and giving you less visibility of them.

Changes in habitats

Plants and flowers bloom at different times, which means that your garden in summer might be different to your garden in spring. This can affect the types of birds attracted to your garden.

Help your garden birds get important food quickly when they’re moulting

All of these factors can lead to a noticeable decrease in bird activity in your garden during August. Being less active means that the birds will typically need less food, but they will certainly need some. What can really help them is husk-free mixes, sunflower hearts, sultanas soaked in water, and suet pellets, as all these highly nutritious foods require no additional work on the part of bird to eat them (e.g. black sunflower seeds need the bird to crack them open, and species such as Blackbird and Robin can’t do that anyway). So they get the important food they need quickly and can then get back under cover.