New visitor - Reed Bunting (1 Viewer)

[Dale5]

New visitor - Reed Bunting **Update**

Hi all,

I came in from work this afternoon and thought i'd just sit and relax and watch the comings and goings in the back garden. Wasn't really paying too much attention. The usual gang - Collared Doves, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, House Sparrow were all in the garden.

I then turned to watch a Woodpigeon eating from my Ground Feeder and then a little surprise visitor came and fed right beside the pigeon.
I had to do a double take, as I thought that's a funny looking sparrow with a blackhead. :'D
I instantly knew it was a Male Reed Bunting as I seen pictures of them in my RSPB book. But what a lovely visitor, :bounce: he stayed for 30 minutes, hopping about the grass, feeding on spilt seed and then back to feed on Jacobi Jayne Robin mix in the Ground Feeder. Think Jacobi Jayne should re-label it - the Reed Bunting mix as it did the trick for me. :'D

Had my bins on hand for a close up look, when he flew into the bushes, you could see the little white wings bar quite visibly.
Tried to get a picture, but my camera batteries needed charging, always the way isn't it.

I find it quite amusing, - I can't attract Chaffinches, who have a high UK population but I attract a red list species - a Reed Bunting instead. But I very happy that this little fella made it to my garden. I shall keep my eyes peeled for more visits over the next few days.
It made my busy Monday a whole lot better. :bounce:

Best Wishes,

Dale :t:

 

[Renee Redstart]

Oh you lucky thing! As you may have noticed a couple of weeks ago, I have only just discovered Reed Buntings. And how thrilled I was! They were in their 'proper' place near the edge of a lake. But to have them in your garden - wow! Good for the West Midlands! Now can I have them in the East Midlands please?

 

[Ruth Daniel]

Hi Dale,
Lovely to see in your garden aren't they and you know instantly "that's something different!"
The continuing cold weather seems to be bringing them to more gardens as I've read a few posts now about previously un-seen Reed Buntings turning up at feeders!
No such luck here though...yet!
Best wishes,

 

[Dale5]

Oh you lucky thing! As you may have noticed a couple of weeks ago, I have only just discovered Reed Buntings. And how thrilled I was! They were in their 'proper' place near the edge of a lake. But to have them in your garden - wow! Good for the West Midlands! Now can I have them in the East Midlands please?

Hi Renee/Ruth,

Yes I was so surprised he appeared in my garden. Didn't think for a minute I would attract a Bunting. There is a river and open fields less than half a mile away from me, so I guess he came from there.
Hope he comes back soon and brings the wife with him. :bounce:
Good luck with attracting them to your gardens. :t:

 

[Pam_m]

Hi Dale,

Always something special when you get a surprise visitor isn't it. We went to Upton Warren on Sunday and there were several around the feeders, such smart little birds, I do hope yours brings the wife with him next time. The Female has such warm colours, he's not so bad himself though.
You really must buy a spare set of batteries Dale :-O , we are waiting for a piccie of the new arrival aswell :t: Hope all is well with them.

Happy Birding

 

[Dale5]

Hi Dale,

Always something special when you get a surprise visitor isn't it. We went to Upton Warren on Sunday and there were several around the feeders, such smart little birds, I do hope yours brings the wife with him next time. The Female has such warm colours, he's not so bad himself though.
You really must buy a spare set of batteries Dale :-O , we are waiting for a piccie of the new arrival aswell :t: Hope all is well with them.

Happy Birding

Hi Pam,

Yes batteries are fully re-charged now, did them last night. Made sure of it. Should Mr Bunting return. :t:
Hopefully he will be there when I get home from work. Think he was just happy to have a feed, seemed very content next to a Woodpigeon. Think he made a new friend at the feeder.

 

[Bridie]

Hi Pam,

Yes batteries are fully re-charged now, did them last night. Made sure of it. Should Mr Bunting return. :t:
Hopefully he will be there when I get home from work. Think he was just happy to have a feed, seemed very content next to a Woodpigeon. Think he made a new friend at the feeder.

Hello Dale

They are lovely little birds and really very loyal. I am sure you will get him and his mates for ever more now. I started off 3 years ago with just one, they have increased every year and I am now getting 10 - 12 every day, males and females. They seem to like hemp, I buy extra hemp to mix in the feed and it all goes. They start to disapear around April time and reappear around Christmas time depending on the weather. This year for the first time they have been eating the fat balls as well. If I place feeders in the middle of bushes they spend all day in the bush socialising and feeding - a bit like sparrows.

I am so pleased for you.

Bridie

 

[Dale5]

Hi everyone,

Well I got home from work this afternoon and who was in the back garden but Mr Reed Bunting again! :bounce:

But even better his wife, Mrs Bunting was with him. She is lovely. o
I agree she has very warm colours and has wing bars like the male.
Her appearance is quite similar to Sparrows/Dunnocks, need the bins to take a closer look.

Goodness knows what the neighbours thought. :'D I was walking round the garden like a mad man trying to get near to them to take a picture, but they kept flying off. It was late afternoon and the light was drawing in, so the pictures would not have been that clear. But I will try again, may have to wait until Sat/Sun when I not at work though. :t:

Be nice if they became regulars, like my Goldcrest and G.S Woodpeckers have, but if they do fly away, then I am happy to say that they visited my garden for a while. :t:

 

[Sue Wright]

Hi again Dale,

You're doing remarkably well and that really is a good Bird for the garden. You'll be telling us you've got a Redpoll next, maybe even a Mealy one!!! Keep it up!

 

[bill moss]

Hi Dale,

I missed your first post about the Bunting, apologies.

Good bird, and a pair makes it even better. You'll have to get a longer lens (chuckle), tricky isn't it.

Bill