Reports Of Bugs And Birds Nearly Gone

The article linked to below is disconcerting to me. It features a bunch of reports concerning a lack of insects and birds. Have you noticed anything like that where you live?

Confirmation - Reports Of Bugs And Birds Nearly Gone

Last summer I had mosquitoes in my home every day. This summer, I've hardly seen any. I haven't seen many birds recently either.

I am really interested to see how widespread this is. Jeff Rense is trying to tie this to the Fukushima disaster. What do you think?

a reply to: Profusion

I'll let you have all you want. The rating system only goes to 10, so you can see, we've got plenty. He's basing this on a few letters. That's hardly a scientific analysis.

Today's Mosquito Forecast EXTREME Mosquito activity is extreme 10
Can tropical systems influence the spread of the Zika virus? Aug 27, 2016; 7:45 AM Regions dealing with Zika-carrying mosquitoes could have another threat to monitor as tropical activity picks up this season.

a reply to: Profusion
There are so many mosquitoes here that you can actually hear them humming when standing outside. I kid you not. Also lots of cicadas fleas ticks and all the lovely creepy crawlies we usually have to contend with here.
We also have our usual yard full of birds.

a reply to: Profusion

The bug and bird population seem to be thriving where I live. I am going to the woods today though and will report back if I notice anything out of the ordinary.
There are usually lots of bugs to play with and many birds to look at.

Perhaps the phenomenon hasn't reached the southeastern US yet.
I have noticed, in the area that I camp, that the snakes seem to be hiding more. Maybe it's been too hot for even them?

It has been so dry here that mosquitos are way down this year.

However, I could fill our birdbath every half hour and my bird feeders 2 or 3 times a day.

Hummingbirds are fighting for spots at their feeders too. I fill them daily for the past 3 weeks.

Little guys are getting ready for their trip south. I hate when they leave.

a reply to: TNMockingbird

I was thinking that about snakes, also. My idea is that they come out to lie in the sun, but since the air temps are so high, they don't need to. I know the ground itself is warm to a depth of at least 2 ft.

a reply to: stosh64

I have roses and all kinds of flowers planted around my house. I can sit in my living room, look out the window and watch about a dozen hummingbirds feed on them. There's 3 right now.
There's about a billion butterflies feeding on rotting peaches that dropped to the ground from my fruit trees.

a reply to: DAVID64
Same here, haven't seen a snake all summer.

Usually Garter snakes are quite common here.

HOT and DRY until the last couple weeks here.

a reply to: DAVID64
Must be nice to have so many.

Most I have seen at one time here is 6. Just yesterday.

With the numbers so low they are very territorial. There is always at least one at the feeder, but it is usually like watching little F-15's dogfighting for the feeder.

a reply to: Profusion

My wife grew up in the country where there are a lot of vineyards. We live in the city since we got married. She's noticed the city has more rabbits, birds, squirrels, and bugs than the country has. She thinks the critters have migrated to the city due to all the insecticide spray material the farmers are using.

I don't think 8 emails from random people counts as confirmation of anything.

I've been getting assaulted by deer-flies for the past week, but my anecdotal experience isn't "confirmation" of anything either.

I live in SoCal and every summer I literally get overrun with bugs, including this one. I also have not noticed a decline in birds.

Bugs and birds are doing fine up in the mountains this year, very wet summer.

Only thing down is coyotes and bear sightings

originally posted by: watchitburn
I don't think 8 emails from random people counts as confirmation of anything.

I've been getting assaulted by deer-flies for the past week, but my anecdotal experience isn't "confirmation" of anything either.

Same here! Every time I go outside it seems I get whacked by one of them pricks! It wouldn't be so bad, but I swell up with a hard, itchy, painful lump the size of a large marble every time I get bit by one......grrrrrr

Plenty of birds too. Especially Crows.

I was just watching the lavender bush pulsate with honey bees this morning. My yard is akin to a bird sanctuary for doves and quail. Less hummingbirds this season, may-november. Seem to have just as many spiders.

a reply to: stosh64
Wish I could say the same. We have snakes everywhere. Pulled a 5 and a half footer out of my duck house the other day.

I live in the south and I stay up late most nights. All summer long the bugs have been so loud and numerous that you can't hear yourself talk when standing outside. I hear birds singing every morning. I go camping a lot too and there doesn't seem to be any change in the number of insects, birds, animals, or even bees .

San Diego here - I haven't seen a single bug of any kind in years except the very occasional house fly and smaller swarm flies, and wasp/bees that appear to be slightly Africanized and aggressive. It's too hot and dry for mosquitoes. The only lizards we have appear to be fruit eaters.

The only birds are crows, some kind of house sparrow, mourning doves and hummingbirds feeding off the year round flower supply. Very occasionally I'll see a Monarch butterfly, probably heading to Mexico.

There's rabbits living under the houses (and rats sometimes) that live off the dropped oranges and the occasional bougainvillea, like mine. There's a war on for my bougainvillea!

a reply to: Profusion

Bugs and birds been normal up here in MN, but I'm used to seeing a bunch of turtles and garder snakes. In the last 2 years I've seen maybe 4 turtles and 3 garder snakes.

Peace.

Well, living at the tip of Lake Superior I can tell you, the insect and bird population is thriving here. I was almost carried off twice by mosquitos this summer. Neysa, I totally hear what you're saying about hearing the hum, and that hum gets pretty loud at night...