No Birdsong in the Garden: Where Have All the Birds Gone?

Created: 09/05/2022, 19:14

By: Sebastian Richter

It has become quiet in German gardens.

In many places there is no bird chirping - the possible reasons are numerous.

Kassel - "Where have our birds gone?" - This question has been reaching the Hesse Nature Conservation Union (NABU) more and more often in recent weeks.

After the chirping was still everywhere in spring, it has become quiet in many gardens.

What's behind it?

According to NABU Hessen, it is completely normal that it has become quieter in German gardens in summer.

"The song of the birds has two functions: to attract a partner and to mark the breeding territory," explains Bernd Petri, deputy state chairman of NABU Hessen in a statement.

Outside the breeding season, it is not necessary for the birds to sing.

As soon as the chicks leave the nest from mid-July, their parents no longer have to defend the nest against conspecifics - instead, the singing attracts potential predators.

Incubators and nesting aids are a must if you want to keep birds in your own garden.

(Archive image) © Patrick Pleul/dpa

Silence in the garden: In summer, the chirping of birds disappears from many gardens

According to NABU, there is another reason why the birds can be heard mainly in spring: after the end of the rearing of the young, the so-called moult begins in most species.

The birds exchange all their feathers and can therefore fly less well.

So they hide the birds.

During this time, "the impression easily arises that the birds have simply disappeared," says the ornithologist Petri.

However, if you help the birds to create their own retreat, there is a good chance that the birds will stay in the garden.

A natural garden is particularly important for this, as the BUND nature conservation association reports.

As parks and farmland become tidier, many birds lack space to build their nests.

BUND recommends creating natural nesting aids.

"Prickly bushes such as sloe, blackberry or wild rose offer birds a safe way to raise their chicks," says BUND.

Artificial nesting aids are also helpful for the birds.

The right food is also important for birds to feel comfortable.

Bird expert Maria Becker has numerous tips on how to convince the birds to stay.

(pron)