Sunflower seed gone bad?

Good Morning!
I am new to this forum, but have been around Dave's Garden for awhile now. I also hope I am in the correct forum! I love feeding my birds in the backyard, and have been doing it for many years. I first really saw anyone feeding the birds when I was maybe 18, it was my mother in law, she loved sitting and watching. Since then I also have fed the birds in my own back yard.

I would like to ask a question, I had black oil sunflower seeds from last year, kept in my kitchen. I just refilled my bird feeder and it has been several weeks and I have only seen one bird at my feeder. Is there a chance that the seed went bad?

Crack open some of the seeds and see if they smell / taste rancid. If they've been at room temperature for a year, that's quite a high likelihood. If yes, get rid of them.

Otherwise - there's lots of natural food at this time of year, so birds generally use feeders less.

Resin

I agree 100% with Resin and would also add one more thing.

Since my sunflower seed goes quickly (50lb bags!) I don't run into it, but occasionally I do with Nyger seed because some years we have tons of Goldfinches and other years they kind of come and go. If you're really curious whether they're just eating elsewhere, buy a small bag of sunflower seed and replace the old seed.

If you start getting more birds again at your feeders it will answer your question, but don't wait too long. Birds start coming to feeders more often anyway as it gets closer to Autumn.

Thank you both, I checked out the seed, and it appears to be fine. It is not a year old, oldest is 6 months. I am thinking I am just a little impatient waiting for the birds when there is so much natural feed all around here. I will keep you updated. Again, thank you!
Candy