I think there is a lot of truth in what you say Ed. Most gardens seem to be full of specimen plants nowadays & so pristine that the birds not only don't like it but also there is nowhere to feed or nest in safety, we have had two mild winters & fairly decent summers so it can't be that, not many gardens have wild flowers & weeds anymore, good for us but not for butterflies & birds. I've moved from the country & had the good fortune to see a great variety of birds The only birds I've seen so far in town have been Blackbirds, 1 Robin & pied wagtails, I have seen Bats though .& hundreds of pigeons of course. Even a few butterflies ! The strange thing is during the breeding months I have got up to the dawn chorus but where they are I've no idea as I've never seen them, for the past month it's silent not a bird in sight except for the ever present flying rat.