We were gone for 10 days. The pair of feeders on our deck and the five hanging in the backyard went empty, probably within four days of our departure. I refilled the feeders on Tuesday morning, watching for returnees. I was curious about how long it would take the birds to find and begin using the now-filled feeders.

Forty-eight hours.

Later: Well, except for the finches. Chickadees, nuthatches, Blue Jays, Downy Woodpeckers, yes. American Goldfinches and House Finches, no.