WHERE have all the birds gone?

I live on the east side of Pickering. It is not densely populated, mostly detached bungalows. All have medium to large gardens with lots of trees and shrubs.

Approximately three months ago I noticed the birds coming to our garden to feed were disappearing rapidly, and since that time they have all gone.

I formerly had masses of small birds coming to feed. It was not unusual to see 20 goldfinches at once.

All the small popular birds that can be seen in gardens were regular visitors, including starlings and sparrows.

Last year we had a woodpecker and its chicks coming on a regular basis.

The only birds to be seen flying around are crows and wood pigeons, no swallows, swifts or bats.

One blackbird built a next in the garden last spring. It hatched out and a week later a small blackbird chick was found dead on the lawn. The nest was empty.

We have seen a sparrowhawk about but not recently and they leave a heap of feathers if they make a kill.

We just occasionally do see a cat.

I would like to know if other people are experiencing this situation.

T J Ward, Normal Close, Pickering