Very busy at the bird feeder today! (1 Viewer)

[hectorzaza]

Raven flew over the garden this morning and up to 7 linnets in field,Male House Sparrow busy carrying nest material to it"s nest site under a tile on the roof of nextdoors bunglow.Goldfinches easy the most common bird here at our new bunglow seeds going down fast,Talking to neighbour who feeds the birds says Yellowhammers come into the garden more in the winter,in summer they around the gorse which is everywhere here and come to gardens looking for seed then,can"t wait,when I get time may go and look for them.

 

[captaincarot]

ooh we got a whole weekend at bempton clifs booked second weekend next month can't wait

 

[ChrisKten]

Just an update as there's been a change:

The Starlings have gone! And I don't just mean from my garden; they've vanished from my area. There was over 70 in the trees and bushes in the wasteground at the back, now there's none - zero - zilch - nada.

I have seen a Starling in the garden, but just the one, and not for long. No splashing in the bird baths, no squabbling, and no noise.

The Jays have also vanished, but they always do at this time of year; they'll be back soon. Everything else in the garden is the same, so it's still full of birds.

Dave: I don't want to worry you, but I've heard that Racing Pigeons that get lost get their necks wrung by the owners. A Racing Pigeon that doesn't find it's way home isn't a good investment.|=)|

(I'm wondering if I should have typed that last paragraph)

 

[Bananafishbones]

I am sure he wouldnt have bothered to drive 80 miles to take a pigeon home and ring its neck, he could have asked me to do it and saved the petrol and time... seriously he was a nice chap and it was a nice bird, most of all it is his sons fav

Starlings numbers building up here Chris.... quite the opposite to you in London!

 

[Disneynut1973]

Bongo, you have some great birds there, a couple i'd like to have on my garden list - the Redpolls and Siskins!

Dave if you could fit five of us in the car we'd take you up on your offer! :t: We are taking the kids next month, can't wait to see it fog free!!

Chris, the Starlings are still here too, a pair nesting in the guttering and we've had some collecting nesting materials too.

 

[ChrisKten]

Dave, Pam: They did vanish last year, but only from the garden. I've seen loads at the Reservoirs (about half a mile away) carrying twigs (and being chased by Magpies), but there's only the one visiting my garden. They've only been gone a few days, so I won't start worrying (yet |=)|).

 

[Oscillate_Wildly]

Saw a Crow in the front garden last night that was trying to take off with a full slice of bread. Never seen one in either front or back (bird) garden until last night.

Starlings are really coming up the window feeder now, sat here on the computer and can hear the thud they make when they come in for some buggy nibbles.

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Just an update as there's been a change:

The Starlings have gone! And I don't just mean from my garden; they've vanished from my area. There was over 70 in the trees and bushes in the wasteground at the back, now there's none - zero - zilch - nada.

I have seen a Starling in the garden, but just the one, and not for long. No splashing in the bird baths, no squabbling, and no noise.

Dave: I don't want to worry you, but I've heard that Racing Pigeons that get lost get their necks wrung by the owners. A Racing Pigeon that doesn't find it's way home isn't a good investment.|=)|

(I'm wondering if I should have typed that last paragraph)

Strange for all the local Starlings to disappear. Some should be busy nest building by now but generally numbers reduce gradually.

I was going to type exactly that about the Racing Pigeon when I made my comment earlier, but like Dave says it was his sons fav bird so I think its safe for now.

CB

 

[earleybird]

starlings arrived a couple od weeks ago in some numbers and have been eating us out of house and home ever since. I wonder if they are returning starlings ? We have had starlings nesting in our roof for 8-10 years now. usually 3-4 nests all on the side facing the rear garden where the feeders are.

Not sure if the squirrels have left enough fibreglass insulation in the loft for the starlings to nest in. its been strewn down the length of the garden for over a month now as all our squirrels hasten to nest in my roof and those of my neighbours

 

[Dan123]

Hey guys hope you are all enjoying the nice weather!

Update on the Garden first. We have half finished the final project of the year for the Garden. We have a brand new Tree planted now. A nice Prunus Amanogawa Flowering Cherry. Will add more heigh rather than width. And we have dug aload of turf up ready to put the final amount of Bark Chippings down and ready to plant the last remaining shrubs. I'm sure that will all help in making up for that Tree being dug out! I may post a pic when it is all completed.

So whilst being out there this morning, not as much frequent bird activity, though they did try and sneek in a few things whilst we were in garden. Especially the Blackbird, doing the typical follow the Gardener for worms trick 8-P I'm glad to see him today though, today is the most I have seen Mr.Blackbird and his missus over the last few days.

But in general activity seems to have picked up even more round here. I have just cleaned and re filled the Sunflower Heart feeder, which I only last refilled three days ago. Nothing has ever gone that quick from a feeder in the Garden before. The Greenfinches and Goldfinches are becoming alot more frequent now and numbers are gradually increasing. The Blue Tits Great Tits and Chaffinches all going for the Hearts too. Though I am also glad to have seen the Great Tits and Greenies also going for the Sunflower Seed next to the Hearts, so it mixes it up a bit. Plus the Nyjer seed feeder has been cleaned, re filled and re positioned and had a Goldie and Greenie on it today.

Plus a nice surprise, the Jay's payed a brief visit this morning. I got up at 6 this morning and it was pretty quiet then, and just as I thought about going back to bed they flew in and had a peck at some suet Pellets. Goes to show you never know what is in your Garden when you don't look, or aren't up in time! lol

After all the Gardening, the majority of birds flew on the ground pecking away at all the little grubs and everything that we have turfed up. We hopefully shall complete the rest tomorrow so we will see what tomorrow brings. But what I am trying to do, is make sure the feed is spaced out good. I have now put a smaller Heart Feeder the other side of the Garden where the bigger birds go for Suet. One male Greenfinch went on it briefly this morning, but the fave is the one in the Pear Tree. It has alot more cover but I am hoping as the birds get use to the Garden more, they will spread out to different feeders. Its no big deal, just want to make sure everything gets a fair nibble, as I am now out of Sunflower Hearts and if the rate of eating picks up even more, I'm going to be putting pressure on me wallet lol

But all in all, things going well here in South East Hertordshire. When is the time we can look forward to the Juvinille birds?? Also do have a good weekend everyone! Weather is suppose to be glorious!! :d o

Bird list for today:
Dunnock, 2 Robins, 2 Jays, 2 Blackbirds, Magpie, 2 Great Tits, 2 Blue Tits, Long Tailed Tit, 2 or 3 Chaffinches, 2+ Goldfinches, 4 Greenfinches, Half dozen Woodpidgeons and Collard Doves.

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Update on the Garden first. We have half finished the final project of the year for the Garden. We have a brand new Tree planted now. A nice Prunus Amanogawa Flowering Cherry. Will add more heigh rather than width. And we have dug aload of turf up ready to put the final amount of Bark Chippings down and ready to plant the last remaining shrubs. I'm sure that will all help in making up for that Tree being dug out! I may post a pic when it is all completed.

But all in all, things going well here in South East Hertordshire. When is the time we can look forward to the Juvinille birds?? Also do have a good weekend everyone! Weather is suppose to be glorious!! :d o

Glad to hear you have such a good day working the garden and getting a new tree in. Thats never an easy process.

Well should get some juvs soon. Probably first week of May for Blue Tits, Great Tits etc. to start hatching in numbers.

CB

 

[michael23]

Sounds like your going to have a nice looking garden there,

Maybe late to put a nest box up, but my dad had 2 spare, so 1 for me and 1 for my neighbour. Mine went up today, i wasnt expecting any interest in it for a while, but after about 5 minutes a bluetit popped on to it and gave it a good looking over! So defo keeping my eyes on it! As I was putting it up, i nearly had my head covered in bits of trees, as i disturbed a nesting wood pigeon!!! I had not seen it at all, apart from watching it walking around getting sticks few days back, so looking forward to seeing it raise young!

Whilst looking through thes trees from inside, a GOLDCREST came flitting through my field of view, i think thats only the 2nd record for my garden, 1st this year.

Notes from my feeders; All of the regular seed feeders really have turned there beaks up at the safflower seeds! So i popped a sunflower heart and wild bird seed mix back into the main feeder, and low and behold goldfinches greenfinches and the tits were flitting around eating the seed! Also Long tailed tits visiting daily. Have left some saflower seeds in another feede to see if anything will feed on them.

I will be off out somewhere tomorrow, prob gigrin farm but will see what happens tomorrow...... Have a good weekend guys. B :t:

 

[Bird spotter]

My current list still stands,watching and waiting for something new to arrive.

1.Collard Dove
2.Magpie
3.Wood Pigeon
4.Jackdraw
5.Crow
6.Black Bird
7.Starling
8.Blue Tit
9.Great Tit
10.Hedge Sparrow
11.Dunnock
12.Siskin
13.Chaffinches
14.Greenfinch
15.Goldfinch
16.Redwing
17.Thrush
18.Blackcap
19.Robin
20.Grey Wagtail
21.Wren
22.Greater Spotted Woodpecker
23.Long-Tailed Tit

 

[ChrisKten]

So, about 30 minutes ago, I was out the back cleaning the windows, when I heard a Mallard calling. So I stopped for a minute and looked up and waited to see it flying over. But the call didn't get louder or quieter, just the same level.

Now Mallards don't hover, so I was getting a bit confused. So I walked to the back of the garden and looked at the roofs of the houses. On one of the roofs was a pair of Mallards; the male was doing the calling that I could hear. I'm at least half a mile from water (unless you count my bird baths |=)|), so I was a bit surprised to say the least.

Anyway, they flew off before I could get the camera; interesting start to the day.

 

[karpman]

So, about 30 minutes ago, I was out the back cleaning the windows, when I heard a Mallard calling. So I stopped for a minute and looked up and waited to see it flying over. But the call didn't get louder or quieter, just the same level.

Now Mallards don't hover, so I was getting a bit confused. So I walked to the back of the garden and looked at the roofs of the houses. On one of the roofs was a pair of Mallards; the male was doing the calling that I could hear. I'm at least half a mile from water (unless you count my bird baths |=)|), so I was a bit surprised to say the least.

Anyway, they flew off before I could get the camera; interesting start to the day.

LOL superb!

Just put the feed out and i'm home all morning! Expecting big things.
So far i have nesting great tits in the box, Nesting sparrows in the bushy stuff on the fence there anhilating the moss in my hanging basket.
Also have noisy starlings nesting in my roof some were and appear to have made it into my loft lol.

Got a lifer whilst out birding yesterday also! yellow wagatil:t:

Happy days
karpman

 

[daveofficer]

not much going on with my feeders but we put our first ever nestbox up and i've seen a great tit going back and forth already. quite hopeful that we'll have a successful nest!

also had a red kite fly low right over my garden before it was chased off by a single crow. was quite the site while i was doing my dishes!

 

[karpman]

not much going on with my feeders but we put our first ever nestbox up and i've seen a great tit going back and forth already. quite hopeful that we'll have a successful nest!

also had a red kite fly low right over my garden before it was chased off by a single crow. was quite the site while i was doing my dishes!

LOL yeah nice one!

Red kites still pretty rare around these parts but there on the way up!:t:

Garden is going great today birds every were enjoying the sun even managed a picky!:-O

 

[Cheshire Birder]

So, about 30 minutes ago, I was out the back cleaning the windows, when I heard a Mallard calling. So I stopped for a minute and looked up and waited to see it flying over. But the call didn't get louder or quieter, just the same level.

Now Mallards don't hover, so I was getting a bit confused. So I walked to the back of the garden and looked at the roofs of the houses. On one of the roofs was a pair of Mallards; the male was doing the calling that I could hear. I'm at least half a mile from water (unless you count my bird baths |=)|), so I was a bit surprised to say the least.

Anyway, they flew off before I could get the camera; interesting start to the day.

The female will be looking for a suitable nesting site with her attendant guard. Mallards often nest is weird places (on balconies, enclosed courtyards, etc.) and some of sites can be well away from any water source.

CB

 

[ChrisKten]

The female will be looking for a suitable nesting site with her attendant guard. Mallards often nest is weird places (on balconies, enclosed courtyards, etc.) and some of sites can be well away from any water source.

CB

I did think of that after posting. Actually I remembered a video of Ducklings jumping from a balcony. I'll have to see if they picked anywhere nearby.

 

[Disneynut1973]

Been up since 6.30 thanks to my little one |=o| But already had Dunnocks, House Sparrows, Goldfinch, Collared Doves, Starlings in the garden and some noisy Gulls flying over too.

Managed to get another life tick yesterday spotting some Red Legged Partridge in a field after a trip out to Lotherton Hall. Nice to get a lifer when you're not expecting it :t: