For some time now, when I go for walks to the same spot where I feed the birds, I've noticed a decreasing number of these creatures. Both sparrows and tits winter in our climate zone, so the idea of an early migration to warmer climes is out of the question.
The situation is strange because this phenomenon hasn't occurred in the last few years, as I capture the abundant bird life in my photos every year. This year is completely different.
Instead of a dozen or so rioting tits, one arrives. Literally one, a male. He looks a bit battered, his plumage disheveled. He arrives every day, perches on his favorite branch, and waits for nuts.
Besides him, sparrows are also appearing. The crew is strong here – four of them. Last year, I couldn't get rid of them; they were literally crawling into my food backpack. And this year, four. I don't know what's going on.
Perhaps there's a surplus of food in nature right now, or perhaps the birds have flown away because a few weeks ago there was a gigantic techno music festival that lasted three days until late at night. Unfortunately, I don't know the reason, but I'm hoping they'll soon arrive at the feeding site in full force.
And finally, while walking around a small pond, or rather a large water feature, I came across a mother mallard with four young ducklings. When they saw me, they immediately swam over – probably someone was feeding them.
