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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 1, 2008 19:02:26 GMT 1
It's nearly time for the annual RSPB survey. We do it every year - smallest really enjoys it. www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/I am very lucky as my garden is always full of birds - nothing spectacularly different but I love to see them all. There are lots of fieldfares feasting on the fallen apples atm which is a real treat. |
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Post by Sleepy on Jan 4, 2008 18:21:09 GMT 1
Had 5 long tailed tits on the feeder today  I get the usual: Wood pigeons Feral pigeons Blackbirds Sparrows Magpies Bluetits Coletits (or is it Coaltits?) Not many starlings for quite a while Quite a few wrens Greenfinches Have seen a Green Woodpecker once on my lawn Seen Greater Spotted Woodpeckers half a dozen times Saw a Kestrel take something in the Summer Swifts and Swallows in the Summer A Jay twice in 10 years I think Orange-cheeked wax bills The occasional penguin |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jan 4, 2008 20:46:40 GMT 1
We had some sparrows and blackbirds (aren't there a lot of blackbirds about atm!?) as well as the usual collared doves and wood pigeons. In fact I had to chase the smaller birds away as my cat was stalking them..  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 4, 2008 22:09:23 GMT 1
There do seem to be a lot of blackbirds around here too. I have a loads of birds about - wrens, robins, chaffinches, blue tits, coaltits, dunnocks, sparrows, doves, pigeons etc etc ...I have a spotted woodpecker which appears within minutes of me filling the peanuts hangers up every time...the place is heaving with them. It's costing me a fortune.....but what I want to know is - am I feeding lots of different birds? Or is the same few who visit again and again?
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Post by debbiem on Jan 5, 2008 10:58:24 GMT 1
Our cats are expert predators, and are probably in their prime in that department. Luckily the bird population seem to have cottened on to that. We have a few very loud mad doves in a huge Horse Chestnut overhanging from next door, the resident seagulls and crows, LOADS of birdsong from within in that tree and around us, and six chickens! We did have a resident blackbird and his wife but after narrowly escaping with her life the other day, when I rescued her, Mrs Blackbird and partner have probably gone somewhere not so hazardous. I fed the birds some homemade fat cakes last Winter which attracted loads of birds as they were so delicious but even though I hung them from trees and placed them up high on a wall I still had to keep guard as it attracted the cats so I didn't do it this year.  |
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Post by madonplants on Jan 7, 2008 14:54:06 GMT 1
The birds have been a bit few and far between recently and I am convinced a neighbour somewhere puts a banquet out. I was getting really excited a few weeks ago when I saw my first Great Tit here, even had some of my peanuts, but since no sign. I know the birds are coming as the food is going down, but where do they go during the day? I don't think the Great Ouse less than a mile away helps us either. You think it would, wouldn't you? ATM it's just... Starlings Collared Doves Blackbirds Sparrows Oh how I pine for my childhood garden and surroundings!!  Keith |
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Post by maggyd on Jan 7, 2008 16:49:56 GMT 1
My garden was alive with birds a few days ago but they have all gone to the fields and woods near us!! when they come I usually take it as a sign of bad weather coming. I crumbled half a madiera Marks and Sparks at that!! and its hardly been touched mind along with fat balls seeds and peanuts its no wonder really.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jan 7, 2008 17:28:36 GMT 1
There were loads of birds in the garden this arvo when I got home from work (the cat was asleep on the sofa...)
1 chaffinch
2 greenfinches
3 blackbirds
2 starlings
5 sparrows ( ;D )
Gosh....
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jan 7, 2008 17:29:56 GMT 1
There were alos some blue tits and great tits in the trees behind the garden...but they didn't come to the bird table....
There was a robin on it this morning...but the wood pigeons scared it away.
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Post by Sleepy on Jan 7, 2008 17:34:06 GMT 1
I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment,
while I was hoeing in a village garden,
and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance
that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.
- Henry David Thoreau |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 7, 2008 21:58:52 GMT 1
I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment,
while I was hoeing in a village garden,
and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance
that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.
- Henry David Thoreau I like that Sleepy! I've never come across it before. We have a little robin who is always about when we do leeks. When the weather is very bad he sits on the wheelbarrow handles and waits for us to find him grubs, when he is feeling very brave he sometimes stands on the tabletop - it always feels like a real honour ... he has been visiting us for several years now (I assume it's the same one) |
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Post by madonplants on Jan 8, 2008 18:30:06 GMT 1
Did a small bit of digging today to extend the RH border down to the corner, behind the Sorbus! No, I'm not on the wrong thread!  Within seconds, my robin came to see me! See all I am good for, is bringing some worms for the birds. ;D There was me thinking they liked my company! Keith |
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Post by madonplants on Jan 23, 2008 12:40:55 GMT 1
With this Birdwatch coming up this weekend, is anyone worried about it? The birds around here, seemed to have all disappeared, except for the starlings, even at Stephen's school a mile up the road!! Their feeders, like ours haven't been touched for ages. I saw two blackbirds this morning, for the first time in ages, where have the sparrows, collared doves, crows, rooks, even robins, etc. gone? I have never seen a sparrowhawk here or any BoP for that matter. Souki does her bit with keeping the cats away! Actually come to think about it, not seen a cat for ages, well done Souks!
I know, no birds on the list, does much to help the RSPB, as does 20 species seen, but I am worried. Should I be? Is it the weather, have they started breeding early or still natural food to find?
Keith
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Post by Sleepy on Jan 23, 2008 12:54:52 GMT 1
With this Birdwatch coming up this weekend, is anyone worried about it? The birds around here, seemed to have all disappeared, except for the starlings, even at Stephen's school a mile up the road!! Their feeders, like ours haven't been touched for ages. I saw two blackbirds this morning, for the first time in ages, where have the sparrows, collared doves, crows, rooks, even robins, etc. gone? I have never seen a sparrowhawk here or any BoP for that matter. Souki does her bit with keeping the cats away! Actually come to think about it, not seen a cat for ages, well done Souks! I know, no birds on the list, does much to help the RSPB, as does 20 species seen, but I am worried. Should I be? Is it the weather, have they started breeding early or still natural food to find? Keith I think you will find that it is teh time of year. The birds are lying low and keeping warm. You will see more activity in the Spring when the are nest building and then when they are feeding their young. After the young leave the nest they will lie low again, avoiding predators. |
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Post by madonplants on Jan 23, 2008 13:09:35 GMT 1
With this Birdwatch coming up this weekend, is anyone worried about it? The birds around here, seemed to have all disappeared, except for the starlings, even at Stephen's school a mile up the road!! Their feeders, like ours haven't been touched for ages. I saw two blackbirds this morning, for the first time in ages, where have the sparrows, collared doves, crows, rooks, even robins, etc. gone? I have never seen a sparrowhawk here or any BoP for that matter. Souki does her bit with keeping the cats away! Actually come to think about it, not seen a cat for ages, well done Souks! I know, no birds on the list, does much to help the RSPB, as does 20 species seen, but I am worried. Should I be? Is it the weather, have they started breeding early or still natural food to find? Keith I think you will find that it is teh time of year. The birds are lying low and keeping warm. You will see more activity in the Spring when the are nest building and then when they are feeding their young. After the young leave the nest they will lie low again, avoiding predators. I know, just I normally see more at this time of the year. I remember for years that if I was ever low on my birthday, I could always rely on the birds (feathered variety) to cheer me up in the garden. This year, it's been quiet, really quiet. The recent floods we've had, made me think the birds would venture into people's gardens more. I'm looking out of the patio window and all I can see atm is a great blackbacked gull flying overhead!!  Keith |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 23, 2008 16:00:53 GMT 1
I feel lucky when I read posts like that as there are many birds about here nearly all the time. We do the Birdwatch every year too. Smallest loves it. Fill your hangers to the brim and think positive Keith!
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Post by Sleepy on Jan 23, 2008 16:10:38 GMT 1
There you are Keith. I was sure there would be a simple explanation. All the birds go to 4Ps for the winter. That's why you don't have any in your garden.
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 23, 2008 16:12:48 GMT 1
There you are Keith. I was sure there would be a simple explanation. All the birds go to 4Ps for the winter. That's why you don't have any in your garden. Oh fine, blame me...it's alright..I have broad, erm..everything, I can take it! |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jan 23, 2008 17:53:55 GMT 1
As the dozy cow next door feeds the pigeons we do,of course, have loads of the flying rats plus collared doves. This also brings in the magpies so the little birds barely get a look in.
Had 3 robins on the fence a week or so ago.
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Post by maggyd on Jan 23, 2008 20:17:28 GMT 1
It's nearly time for the annual RSPB survey. We do it every year - smallest really enjoys it. www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/I am very lucky as my garden is always full of birds - nothing spectacularly different but I love to see them all. There are lots of fieldfares feasting on the fallen apples atm which is a real treat. I do that as well 4Ps I have just recieved the form again I use it to tick off what I see then fill the online form. |
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Post by madonplants on Jan 23, 2008 21:39:50 GMT 1
I feel lucky when I read posts like that as there are many birds about here nearly all the time. We do the Birdwatch every year too. Smallest loves it. Fill your hangers to the brim and think positive Keith! Most of them are, 4P, but it doesn't seem to help. I think all the birds are either with you, as Sleepy says, or over by the river. Could you talk nicely to a few of them and say there is a banquet waiting for them here, PLEASE? Even if, just for the weekend. I'm getting fed up with starlings! Keith |
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Post by debbiem on Jan 24, 2008 18:15:08 GMT 1
Had 5 long tailed tits on the feeder today I get the usual: Wood pigeons Feral pigeons Blackbirds Sparrows Magpies Bluetits Coletits (or is it Coaltits?) Not many starlings for quite a while Quite a few wrens Greenfinches Have seen a Green Woodpecker once on my lawn Seen Greater Spotted Woodpeckers half a dozen times Saw a Kestrel take something in the Summer Swifts and Swallows in the Summer A Jay twice in 10 years I think Orange-cheeked wax bills The occasional penguin Penguin? Is it that cold up there? ;D Did it swim in? Wandered in after a round of golf? |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 25, 2008 10:25:34 GMT 1
Just waiting for some toast to pop, looking out at the beach hut...2 yellowhammers under it! First I've seen this year...hope they're there for the Birdwatch...
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Post by madonplants on Jan 25, 2008 12:12:28 GMT 1
I've had some house sparrows in the garden today again, at my nut feeder.  I woke also to see a magpie, or should I say hear a magpie, while it was in my Sorbus. My two collared doves have come back, but still plenty of starlings. Oh forgot to mention the blackbirds are there again today. Being silly, I bought January's edition of GW magazine as it has an article about what to plant for birds. I know I should know this, but thought what the heck, I haven't had a magazine for ages. Think I made a big mistake in taking out 72 of those roses that were here in the garden when we came!! Maybe the birds have said, we liked them for all the aphids they brought, so as you have taken them out, we are off!! Yellowhammers 4P, I haven't seen one of them since my childhood. You lucky thing. It's the greenfinches I miss the most and the various tits we had. Keith |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 25, 2008 16:13:37 GMT 1
I'm afraid I see blue tits, great tits, coal tits and greenfinches etc etc most days Keith...sorry! I haven't got any roses though.... There are lots of birds about in Norfolk generally I think, I really can't claim any credit for the ones in my garden. |
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Within seconds, my robin came to see me! See all I am good for, is bringing some worms for the birds. ;D There was me thinking they liked my company! 