This can seem sudden and unexpected but don't worry, you haven't done anything wrong.

For weeks, we have played anxious hosts to nesting birds and their demanding offspring - giving them space and avoiding nesting sites – and now they desert us. Charming!

Although we might miss their lovely song many are off enjoying a well-earned holiday and making the most of the natural food the countryside has to offer.

Some aren't quite that lucky - blackbirds for instance can have up to four lots of young in a short space of time – exhausting work.

They have little time for preening so their feathers may become tatty and are moulted out to be replaced with pristine plumage. They can be almost flightless and very vulnerable during the feather renewing process so do be aware of them.

If the birds are not visiting, there is no need to supply as much food as you have been as it will go to waste.

Take this opportunity to give your feeders and tables a thoroughly good clean. I always use an old toothbrush which can get into any crevices and now is a good time to dismantle them all completely.

If you have some spare time you can easily make shelters for all sorts of wildlife and you could do your bit to conserve some of our most familiar garden birds by putting up nestboxes ready for the next breeding season.

Species like starlings and house sparrows have suffered massive declines in recent years and making sure they have safe nesting sites could really help reverse this.

You could also make shelters for insects and other invertebrates by simply piling up a few logs and twigs.

It's also a good time to make a hedgehog hibernation box as these prickly gardeners' friends will soon be looking for some cosy winter quarters.

But enough talk of winter for now – let's enjoy the last few weeks of summer!

Kate


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