[Johny121]

[quote=Azzy;2268336]Yesterday and today we had some lovely visitors, a pair of sandhill cranes. And yes, they did feed from the feeders, lol. It was quite a sight to see.

wow- to have cranes in your garden! nice picture!

[bongofury]

Originally Posted by Azzy

Yesterday and today we had some lovely visitors, a pair of sandhill cranes. And yes, they did feed from the feeders, lol. It was quite a sight to see.

Awesome garden birds! A Sandhill was in the UK a couple of weeks ago causing a bit of a stir.

[Bananafishbones]

Originally Posted by Azzy

Yesterday and today we had some lovely visitors, a pair of sandhill cranes. And yes, they did feed from the feeders, lol. It was quite a sight to see.

This morning we had a male and female cardinal, and throughout the day a couple of morning doves and 3 common ground doves.

awesome stuff Azzy.....

[Bananafishbones]

Originally Posted by bongofury

With the current cold spell and expected frost tonight, surely tomorrow is Siskin day...?

lol.... just finished work at 10pm and guess what...... had to defrost the car

When the Redwing turned up this morning I should have guessed it was going to be a cold night

[Johny121]

Likewise with the redwing, some have re entered the garden joined by a flock of fieldfare. c-80m starlings about also ! :)

[Johny121]

80* not 80m.. that would be something

[James Bean]

This morning, for the first time, I saw a Grey Wagtail in my back garden. The only other time I've seen one was in Arrowe Park, North Wirral, by the side of a brook, about three years ago.

[Azzy]

Originally Posted by Johny121

80* not 80m.. that would be something

lol, 80m starling.... imagine the bird seed you would go through then!

Sandhill cranes were back today yet again, they've actually started hanging around much of a day, preening, resting, feeding, 'dancing', it's great to see. This morning, another 3 cranes landed nearby and the current two made a real noise and display of scaring them off from their turf

Otherwise at the feeders, the usual common ground and mourning doves. Plenty of other things flying by and seen at the lake from the backyard though.

[Bananafishbones]

Male Sparrowhawk circled above the house and was then seen of by 20+ feral pigs... gutted

20 good attacks from the larger female sparrowhawk could wipe these out

[Azzy]

A female sparrowhawk attack feral pigs? Seems a bit out of their leauge? :P

Not a bird, but we had a very scaley visitor this afternoon, I was relaxing outside when a Black Racer snake came slowly sliding by. I watched it for at least 20 minutes, it appeared to be hunting for lizards/frogs and was doing a lot of scenting and nosing under foliage and even climbed the small palm next to the bird feeder. Beautiful creature, scared the common ground-doves off though xD

[bongofury]

Stunning male Sparrowhawk in the trees at the rear of the garden. First one since March.

No sign of Siskins. Yet...

[Cheshire Birder]

A few Redwings in the hedge this morning.

CB

[bongofury]

Another visit from the Sprawk. Also 2 LTTs and a flock of c40 Jackdaws - highest ever count.

[bongofury]

I remember someone asking about their decrease in Blackbirds recently. I've found this graph (sorry, don't mean to be Chris Packham) and it shows the annual decline in reporting rates for Blackbirds late summer:

http://blx1.bto.org/bt-dailyresults/...371-20-11.html

Almost a 50% decrease.

[Johny121]

[quote=bongofury;2270928]. I've found this graph (sorry, don't mean to be Chris Packham)

haha!

Interesting post, thanks

[Cheshire Birder]

Also had Siskin, Redpoll, male Bullfinch, flock of LTT and GSW all seen or heard today

CB

[bongofury]

Originally Posted by Cheshire Birder

Also had Siskin, Redpoll, male Bullfinch and GSW all seen or heard today

Nice selection there.

Bumper morning today in the garden, with 17 species seen, including a male Blackcap, Goldcrest and a Wren.

[Busybee]

I heard something crash into the conservatory window so I went to the window and on the ground, right next to me, looking up at me, was a female sparrowhawk. She soon flew off but I wish I had realised what had happened. I might have had a longer view.

I have not seen a blackbird for months, very unusual.

[bongofury]

Originally Posted by bongofury

Bumper morning today in the garden, with 17 species seen, including a male Blackcap, Goldcrest and a Wren.

Make that 18. 6 Siskins just seen feeding in the trees to the rear. One day later than last year.

[Bananafishbones]

Originally Posted by Cheshire Birder

Also had Siskin, Redpoll, male Bullfinch and GSW all seen or heard today

CB

Originally Posted by bongofury

Make that 18. 6 Siskins just seen feeding in the trees to the rear. One day later than last year.

Great stuff guys, really wanting the Siskins and Redpolls for turn up. although I am proably at least afew weeks off yet.

However I have a new neighbour that backs onto my garden feeder trees and he has this morning cut down a whole row of trees in his garden so hope it doesnt affect things here

[Johny121]

Originally Posted by Bananafishbones

Great stuff guys, really wanting the Siskins and Redpolls for turn up. although I am proably at least afew weeks off yet.

However I have a new neighbour that backs onto my garden feeder trees and he has this morning cut down a whole row of trees in his garden so hope it doesnt affect things here

Ahhh its soul destroying when that happens. I had a new neighbour earlier in the year, cut down all the flowers and shrubs in the front, which a lot of birds nested in, and cut down an apple tree that judging by its size and the lichen on it must be about 60+ years. Also cleared a lot of flowering shrubs. No point reasoning with them all they do is swear ,shout and grunt at each other. . .

[bongofury]

Originally Posted by Bananafishbones

However I have a new neighbour that backs onto my garden feeder trees and he has this morning cut down a whole row of trees in his garden so hope it doesnt affect things here

Originally Posted by Johny121

Ahhh its soul destroying when that happens. I had a new neighbour earlier in the year, cut down all the flowers and shrubs in the front, which a lot of birds nested in, and cut down an apple tree that judging by its size and the lichen on it must be about 60+ years. Also cleared a lot of flowering shrubs.

That's very annoying. Our neighbour has a very mature hawthorn tree and the birds love it before coming down to the feeders. Without it I'm sure it would affect my garden visitors. Hope yours aren't affected BFB.

[Bananafishbones]

Originally Posted by Busybee

I heard something crash into the conservatory window so I went to the window and on the ground, right next to me, looking up at me, was a female sparrowhawk. She soon flew off but I wish I had realised what had happened. I might have had a longer view.

I have not seen a blackbird for months, very unusual.

Wow..... glad she is ok

[SPINNEYGAL]

Having breakfast yesterday and watching the Rugby not a single bird on the feeders for over 2 hours. It has gone very quiet.

[roger1234]

Originally Posted by SPINNEYGAL

Having breakfast yesterday and watching the Rugby not a single bird on the feeders for over 2 hours. It has gone very quiet.

Snap! Apart from 6 long tailed tits on Friday,weeekend as been very quiet.