It appears at least some of the birds have returned to Rolling Hills.

Paul Ouelette, who first reported the missing birds in March, reported to the Renton City Council this month that he has recently had a small flock of sparrows return to his yard for feeding.

Oulette, a retired civil engineer, noticed earlier this year that his bird feeders were no longer being used and brought the matter to City Council, drawing a correlation between their disappearance and the installation of “smart meters” on the city water meters in his neighborhood.

Ouelette has led a group of citizens asking for further review on the effects of the city’s meters, which send a pulse of information to a receiver on the water tower in his neighborhood multiple times a day.

Ouelette reported that since they turned on the meters, the wildlife disappeared.

However, a few weeks ago, some of the birds returned, though “only those that flock like sparrows and are usually seen in very populated urban areas,” he said in an email.

Ouelette said the birds stop by in flocks every couple of days but do not come individually to feed.

“The chickadees, junco, finches, nuthatch, varied thrush have not returned,” he wrote. “We have not seen a hummingbird in four months. The robins have come once. I occasionally see one-to-two chickadees. My neighbors have experienced the same.”

Oulette said he has not changed the birdseed he is using, but said he hd to purchase a new bag for the first time in four months.

Previous to the installation of the meters and the earlier disappearance, Ouelette reported spending $30 a month on seed.

Ouelette said he still believes the city’s meters is having an effect on the birds, but admits it is hard to prove. He also said that the appearance of these new birds do not mean the meters are not affecting the wildlife.

“The evidence is inconclusive,” he said.