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Post by madonplants on Dec 5, 2008 12:20:28 GMT 1
I am just being patient-- I have put two Boxes out--and string of nuts--Ziltch-- Have you just put nuts out, Bigs? There might be seed eaters around which wouldn't like the nuts. Fat balls are always a good thing at this time of the year. |
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 5, 2008 16:37:24 GMT 1
When I was weeding today I had two Robins pecking over the earth as I turned it. I think that's quite unusual as I thought they were territorial. I put up my 2 nesting boxes, one facing East, the other North facing.
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Post by madonplants on Dec 5, 2008 17:55:01 GMT 1
When I was weeding today I had two Robins pecking over the earth as I turned it. I think that's quite unusual as I thought they were territorial. I put up my 2 nesting boxes, one facing East, the other North facing. They do pair up around about this time, so maybe it was a male and a female? |
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 5, 2008 18:55:44 GMT 1
When I was weeding today I had two Robins pecking over the earth as I turned it. I think that's quite unusual as I thought they were territorial. I put up my 2 nesting boxes, one facing East, the other North facing. They do pair up around about this time, so maybe it was a male and a female? They were both males Keith and there were two females on the bird table. Perhaps they live in a little commune. ;D |
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Post by maggyd on Dec 5, 2008 23:29:36 GMT 1
OH took the photo through the dining room window Maggy.  I've got loads more birds coming to the feeders now the weather has turned so cold. Im going to complain about my rubbish camera ::)Ill show you why!!   rubbish arent they? |
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Post by maggyd on Dec 5, 2008 23:31:26 GMT 1
I am just being patient-- I have put two Boxes out--and string of nuts--Ziltch-- Dont put your nuts near the boxes Biggs or the birds wont use them! |
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 5, 2008 23:38:14 GMT 1
OH took the photo through the dining room window Maggy. I've got loads more birds coming to the feeders now the weather has turned so cold. Im going to complain about my rubbish camera ::)Ill show you why!! rubbish arent they? Was the first one taken at dusk, it is rather dark but you can see the pic. The second one is clear enough. Should you not have feeders near nesting boxes then? I will have to move one of mine that I put up today in that case : I thought it may attract them. |
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Post by maggyd on Dec 5, 2008 23:50:18 GMT 1
The first one was taken from my kitchen window and that looks through the conservatory window so that is why its dark !! Id just remembered that!! No I read that if other birds are round the feeders the tits wont use the box so I hang mine from trees and the bird table.
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 5, 2008 23:52:05 GMT 1
The first one was taken from my kitchen window and that looks through the conservatory window so that is why its dark !! Id just remembered that!! No I read that if other birds are round the feeders the tits wont use the box so I hang mine from trees and the bird table. Oh right, thanks Maggy I will either move the feeders or the box. |
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Post by maggyd on Dec 6, 2008 0:01:56 GMT 1
Where have you put the box ? I have got mine screwed to the house wall, so for me its easier to move the feeders about.
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 6, 2008 0:07:56 GMT 1
Where have you put the box ? I have got mine screwed to the house wall, so for me its easier to move the feeders about. I fixed one at the end of the 'Rustic Arch' at the end of the patio. I have no trees in my garden, it was the highest point and faces North which I believe is the best aspect, also a Honeysuckle has reached the top and will cover the box before long, giving it plenty of cover. I have 3 feeders hanging from the same arch which get lots of birds, Chaffinch, Bluetits, Robins, but the ocassional big birds do try to feed from them! |
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Post by madonplants on Dec 6, 2008 1:06:35 GMT 1
They do pair up around about this time, so maybe it was a male and a female? They were both males Keith and there were two females on the bird table. Perhaps they live in a little commune. ;D How do you know, they are identical? They may have their terrotories elsewhere, or haven't established them yet, if they are youngish ones. |
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 6, 2008 1:16:51 GMT 1
I thought the male has the red breast, the female looks a little like a sparrow. I could be wrong here and will listen to your advice. I always was given to believe the male had the 'Robin Red Breast' but I am open to opinions on this.
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Post by madonplants on Dec 6, 2008 1:23:13 GMT 1
From my reading up, the male has the red breast, the female looks a little like a sparrow. I have asked OH's opinion and he agrees re the female etc. I could be wrong here and will listen to your advice. I always was given to believe the male had the 'Robin Red Breast' but I am open to opinions on this. They are identical, it's the youngster that is brown spotted, honest. Hang on a minute, have a look here. In fact I nearly had that word for word there, spooky!! |
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Post by madonplants on Dec 6, 2008 1:28:00 GMT 1
The first one was taken from my kitchen window and that looks through the conservatory window so that is why its dark !! Id just remembered that!! No I read that if other birds are round the feeders the tits wont use the box so I hang mine from trees and the bird table. Oh right, thanks Maggy I will either move the feeders or the box. Move the feeders, FC. The birds will find them, especially if the boxes are in a good place. You are supposed to keep the feeder moved anyway, for cleanliness problems below the feeders. I remember seeing lots of birdtables being sold, that had nesting boxes incorporated above the place where the food would go. Don't see them much nowadays, I wonder why!! : |
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 6, 2008 1:28:23 GMT 1
As I said, I would listen to any other advice, the two on the feeder must have been juvenile Robins. I honestly thought only the male had the 'Red Breast'
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 6, 2008 16:24:54 GMT 1
My two birds were back today and I think they could be Dunnocks. Will try to get a photo for you to identify. |
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Post by madonplants on Dec 6, 2008 18:27:07 GMT 1
My two birds were back today and I think they could be Dunnocks. Will try to get a photo for you to identify. Possible, though they are very much a ground feeding bird. I'll await your photos. Also, thanks for calling it a Dunnock and not a Hedge Sparrow! ;D |
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 6, 2008 18:51:35 GMT 1
My two birds were back today and I think they could be Dunnocks. Will try to get a photo for you to identify. Possible, though they are very much a ground feeding bird. I'll await your photos. Also, thanks for calling it a Dunnock and not a Hedge Sparrow! ;D They do tend to peck around on the floor under the hanging feeders and on the patio under the bird table. |
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Post by madonplants on Dec 6, 2008 18:55:11 GMT 1
Possible, though they are very much a ground feeding bird. I'll await your photos. Also, thanks for calling it a Dunnock and not a Hedge Sparrow! ;D They do tend to peck around on the floor under the hanging feeders and on the patio under the bird table. Sounds like them. Should have done this last night, but see this. www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/dunnock.htm |
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Post by 4pygmies on Dec 7, 2008 14:27:34 GMT 1
I loaded up the bird feeders first thing and so far the birds have emptied 2 fat balls, half a fat tray, an entire hanger of bird corn etc and nearly 1 1/2 peanut hangers plus cleared the floor of a handful of corn, 3 slices of bread and Hilda's leftovers......the poor things..it's freezing out there even now...
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Post by 4pygmies on Dec 7, 2008 17:49:57 GMT 1
I hang mine up with them though and the birds empty them so quick! I'll get a wire hanger though - that sounds sensible.
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 9, 2008 0:10:46 GMT 1
Keith, thanks for you link, yes it does look like them.
I have tried several times to catch a photo but they are very timid as as soon as I get near a window or the door with my camera - they disappear.
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Post by madonplants on Dec 9, 2008 11:09:27 GMT 1
Keith, thanks for you link, yes it does look like them. I have tried several times to catch a photo but they are very timid as as soon as I get near a window or the door with my camera - they disappear. They are quite shy and we have had the odd one in our garden here. Starling are back, Sleepy, though not many atm. Yesterday there were three in the big Sorbus and they were talking to each other, as if they were all magpies, it was really quite funny. Our garden on the whole, has gone rather quiet as of late, but we have had the odd female Sparrowhawk flying around, so whether that has anything to do with it, I don't know. One made me late picking the boys up from school last Friday!! We still are getting the House Sparrows, Goldfinches, Collared Doves, Blackbirds and the Starlings, so can't complain, toooooooooo much, I suppose! Just wish we had some Blue and Great Tits come to the feeders. Nextdoor had some Great Tits nesting in their nesting box this year, but I hardly ever see them on their feeders, let alone ours!  |
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Post by Sleepy on Dec 9, 2008 11:37:20 GMT 1
Keith, thanks for you link, yes it does look like them. I have tried several times to catch a photo but they are very timid as as soon as I get near a window or the door with my camera - they disappear. They are quite shy and we have had the odd one in our garden here. Starling are back, Sleepy, though not many atm. Yesterday there were three in the big Sorbus and they were talking to each other, as if they were all magpies, it was really quite funny. Our garden on the whole, has gone rather quiet as of late, but we have had the odd female Sparrowhawk flying around, so whether that has anything to do with it, I don't know. One made me late picking the boys up from school last Friday!! We still are getting the House Sparrows, Goldfinches, Collared Doves, Blackbirds and the Starlings, so can't complain, toooooooooo much, I suppose! Just wish we had some Blue and Great Tits come to the feeders. Nextdoor had some Great Tits nesting in their nesting box this year, but I hardly ever see them on their feeders, let alone ours! I think a sparrowhawk being around does keep the birds under cover and quiet. They're not daft ;D I saw a sparrowhawk take something from my garden last year. I only saw it as it was taking off. Dunno if it was a bird or a mouse. |
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