A year in hiding
I felt it only fitting to spend some time at the feeding station this afternoon on this, the 365th day of it's existance.
I'd posted invitations throughout the wood and hedgerows around the Bogs letting all our feathered friends know it was party time and all were welcome.
Although I arrived in beautiful sunshine it didnt take but 5 minutes for the weather gods to try and wreck the celebrations with grey skies and rain and not for the first time I sat huddled under my waterproof poncho watching my coffee cup fill up faster than I could drink it. Eventually though those grey skies and rain abated to just grey skies.
Still everyone was in party mode and the provision of extra peanuts and sunflower seed ensured a healthy turnout - even a male bullfinch put in an appearance after several weeks absence.
The water rail (never ones to miss a free knees up) hired a couple of mini buses so that they could all make it to the do and a couple of cock pheasants strutted in and later entertained guests with some high class shimmying, dancing along to a coal tit karaoke champion.
It was a pity that recent visitors like the snipe, redpoll and redwing couldnt make it but all, I presume, had prior engagments. Still, a good turnout of the regulars like the willow tits and reed buntings compensated to a degree.
Apologies came in from the sparrowhawks who were otherwise engaged (But to be honest I think they would have been party poopers in any case and would probably caused a bit of a to do)
Disappointingly the GSW's didn't turn up either - but I'm not sure the music would have been to their taste as I have heard they are more into head banging now-a-days. The jay also turned a blind eye to the proceedings but thats jays all over isn't it.
Still, those that made the effort seemed to enjoy themselves playing hunt the peanut and pass the sunflower seed.
As the afternoon wore on it seemed more and more likely that our parade would once again be rained on so after flocking together in a communal huddle for a very emotional and tearful rendition of the Birdy song it was time to blow out the birthday candle and wish everyone a pleasant evening (The water rail looked set to party all night long)
The A list guests that turned up for the birthday bash included :- Water rail, moorhen, pheasant, willow, coal, blue, great and long tailed tits, chiffchaff, bullfinch, reed bunting, grey wagtail, dunnock, robin, wren, chaffinch with B listers magpie, wood pigeon and crow sat around the dance floor.
With a full year under our belts it's now time for CW and I to start our woodland feeding station which we planned several months ago. The Bogs feeding station, however will not be forgotten and will still continue to be developed and looked after as it is at the moment.
We are amazed that the feeding station has lasted a full year and delighted that the station may have brought at least a little pleasure to those who have visited - I know the water rail have provided several life ticks and more than one year tick and suspect that the New Years day may see a few people looking for and early 2008 tick.
Sincere thanks from me and CW to the few people who have been kind enough to bring along a little bird food when they visit, to the person who continues to steal food from the station I can only sympathise with you on the sad life you lead.
With my self imposed target of 40 species photographed in the feeding station from the hide exceeded and a species list well in excess of 100 seen from the hide (CW has a full list) we end the first year very happy and look forward to a second (even better) year.
Cheers
John and Colin
