Which birds visit your garden?

[madonplants]

goth said:

madonplants said:

Goth, buy yourself a decent book and study it, like the one I have used since I was a young boy, The Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe. It can't be bad as I have seen Bill Oddie use it. I read this most nights as a teenager, after doing my homework, and also got a few tapes of bird song, so I could identify birds by what I heard. Check this list out, my book is one the list.

www.xs4all.nl/~sbpoley/fgfaq.htm

Oh no...another reference book for me to get! I swear I'll have to move house before long, in order to accommodate my ever growing collection of books ;D Thanks Keith...I think *grins*




See? Now that's what I envy. Having the ability to identify a bird straight away like that!

Maybe my garden isn't as bad as I first thought, then it does feel colder this morning!

Keith

Apparently we have snow forecast for rainy Wales tomorrow

It took a lot of practice, Goth. When I was about 12, I read that book I mentioned, virtually every night, until I was good, at it. I am nowhere near as good as Bill Oddie, but I do remember doing a sponsored 5hr birdwatch, when I was about 15 and found 114 species, some by their song alone. Not sure if I could do that now, though. Haven't kept up with bird songs, though but seeing the bird, I could probably still do it.

There are a few small field guide/books that you can stick in your pocket, that wouldn't take that much space up!!

Keith

P.s. Wish I could be the same when it comes to plants, though!!!

[goth]

madonplants said:

It took a lot of practice, Goth. When I was about 12, I read that book I mentioned, virtually every night, until I was good, at it. I am nowhere near as good as Bill Oddie, but I do remember doing a sponsored 5hr birdwatch, when I was about 15 and found 114 species, some by their song alone. Not sure if I could do that now, though.

Now that's dedication ;D I love to see people that passionate about a subject ;D

There are a few small field guide/books that you can stick in your pocket, that wouldn't take that much space up!!

Actually, I think I'll do that together with maggyd's booklet suggestion

Looks like me, the hubby and kids will be off for some long walks this coming spring!

P.s. Wish I could be the same when it comes to plants, though!!!

Another thing I'd love to be able to do is to properly indentify all the wild herbs that grow locally. I know a few like nettles, feverfew, wild mint, dandelion, wood sorrel, chickweed and cleavers, but there are many that I don't recognise.

I think it would be best to take a walk with a wild plant and herb expert, rather than try to indentify them myself using a reference book!

[madonplants]

goth said:

madonplants said:

Now that's dedication ;D I love to see people that passionate about a subject ;D

I grew up in the country, with birds and animals all around me, so it seemed natural for me to want to know what they all were. My mum realised at an early age, I was interested, so she bought me a book on Britain's wildlife. The one on birds, I mentioned earlier, I bought myself later.
I used to spend ages looking out of the window, notebook in hand. In the summer holidays I either went to a farm or my Dad's place of work, a lovely big garden. I was more interested in the birds and animals about, than what plants that were there. Maybe if I had paid more attention to the plants, I would be better there, now!!

Keith

[4pygmies]

I used to know lots of the wild plants and herbs too but now the memory's getting a bit dodgy it's harder. I know I know it but I just can't remember - it drives me mad........
It's far better to be sure though - years ago, as a student who was really getting into herbal stuff, I blithely made a teapot full of what I fondly imagined was definitely Chamomile, only to discover that it was Stinking Mayweed.......I've since found out that there are, in fact several different sorts of Chamomile. Stinking Mayweed is an emetic....


It also tastes foul so we didn't drink much.....phew..... ;D

[madonplants]

Saw a dunnock in the garden this morning. That was one bird I always thought I would have seen out there, the way the garden is atm. Had to laugh when I told Craig. What's a dunnock, Dad? I got him to check the bird out with my binoculars, while I got me book out. 'Oh it's a bird is it', came the reply, 'didn't know what you meant by a dunnock!!' ;D

Keith

[bogmyrtle]

A sparrowhawk this morning!

He scattered the wood pigeons but didn't catch one. He then came back and sat on the fence but by the time I had run upstairs and found the camera he had gone.

We haven't seen him for ages but last year did have remnants of a couple of kills. We assume he is either on the golf course or the cricket & rugby club land by us.

[madonplants]

bogmyrtle said:

A sparrowhawk this morning!

He scattered the wood pigeons but didn't catch one. He then came back and sat on the fence but by the time I had run upstairs and found the camera he had gone.

We haven't seen him for ages but last year did have remnants of a couple of kills. We assume he is either on the golf course or the cricket & rugby club land by us.

If it was after pidgeons, wasn't it a female, as males normally go for smaller prey?

Keith

[bogmyrtle]

madonplants said:

bogmyrtle said:

A sparrowhawk this morning!

He scattered the wood pigeons but didn't catch one. He then came back and sat on the fence but by the time I had run upstairs and found the camera he had gone.

We haven't seen him for ages but last year did have remnants of a couple of kills. We assume he is either on the golf course or the cricket & rugby club land by us.

If it was after pidgeons, wasn't it a female, as males normally go for smaller prey?


Keith

Yep you're right, just checked on the RSPB id and it was a she! Couldn't find our id book this morning. Still nice to see though!

[madonplants]

Ooh ooh, just had a jackdaw on the birdtable, think I need to put some more food there.

Keith

[Sleepy]

The said:

madonplants said:

Ooh ooh, just had a jackdaw on the birdtable, think I need to put some more food there.

Keith

I don't encourage them Keith - I once witnessed a Jackdaw take a very young greenfinch while it was drinking from a bird bath.

That's just life The witch. Sad, but life.

We need the predators as well as the prey otherewise our environment would be much the poorer.

[madonplants]

The said:

admin said:

That's just life The witch. Sad, but life.

We need the predators as well as the prey otherewise our environment would be much the poorer.

I agree Sleepy - I was just surprised to see a Jackdaw do such a thing!

So was I surprised, they normally eat insects and seeds, but they are members of the crow family, afterall.

Oops let my coffee go cold again!! Thank G*d for microwaves!!

Keith

[chickadeedeedee]

Hi everyone!

This weekend was the Great Backyard Bird Count for the USA. Those who are interested can spend 15 minutes (or more) counting the birds they see in their garden. Fortunately we did this yesterday as today there is a fairly heavy rain.

These are the folks we saw from home and counted right after filling the feeders and scattering food on the patio within 15 minutes.(Maybe that's cheating to fill up the feeders but this is probably a reflection of our birdy visitors daily?)

White-crowned Sparrows ... 6
House Sparrows ... 115
Dark-eyed Junco ... 17
Downy WP ... 7
Red-headed WP ... 3
Pileated WP ... 4
Common Flicker WP ... 1
Starling ... 120
White-breasted Nuthatch ... 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch ... 3
Brown Creeper ... 3
Black-capped Chickadee-dee-dee ... 15
Cardinal ... 11 (including OUR Mr. Cardinal)
Blue Jay ... 5
Mourning Dove ... 25
Carolina Wren ... 4
Red Finch ... 17
House Finch ... 9
Robin ... 5 (Saw a flock of 32 yesterday about 1 mile from home.)
Cooper's Hawk ... 1 (That guy pretty much ended the count when he showed up! LOL!)

Ring-billed Gull ... 31 (flying over the Lake)
Blue Heron ... 5 (flying over the Lake)
Some-kinda Duck ... 6 (flying over the Lake)
Canada Goose ... 12 (flying over the Lake)

What's a garden without Gray Squirrels ... 8!

That's the Ohio Birdy Bed and Breakfast Report.

C3D ;D

[4pygmies]

That is a fine list C3D - sounds very exotic to me but I expect my blue tits, yellowhammers, woodpeckers etc are just as beautiful really! The weather is utterly freezing so I spent a very chilly 20 minutes loading up the beach hut with fat balls etc early this morning and the birds have swooped down in herds! The poor things ....it was bitterly cold here last night.

[madonplants]

That is one h**l of a list there C3D. You actually counted 120 starlings and 115 sparrows? 32 robins, I feel lucky to have two sometimes, especially when they nest in the ivy!!

This morning I have had 2 starlings and 2 male blackbirds! Maybe I wasn't looking at the right time. The seed feeder on the front tree was swinging when I took the kids to school, but Stephen was out there first and frightened them before I saw what made it swing. No wind so must have been something, probably sparrows though.

Keith

[chickadeedeedee]

Hi 4P.

I think that's why we had soooo many birds here. It had been very cold the end of the week and just plane ol' brutally cold on Saturday. All the birds needed to get food and told their friends. LOL! I thought my fingers would fall off by the time I was done filling the feeders. As I was doing so, the birds started gathering around ... waiting for me to get out of the way.

Hi Keith.

While the birds were gathering my husband and the children started counting the birds. The Starlings were waiting in the weeping willow trees and the House Sparrows were in the Magnolia and in the vines near the house. *MUCH* easier to make a more accurate count when they are just sitting than on the patio and eating. The other birds were at the feeders, on or under the trees that hold the feeders.

The 32 Robins were seen near the city hall. There are many trees with fruits on them. I think they are crabapple trees and the flock of Robins were busy eating those fruits.

We have 15-18 feeders and use about 5-6 different kinds of seed, nut and suet blends. Plus for the Sparrows we have bread and dry dog food that has been pre-soaked with water and softened for the Starlings. The Jays, Robins and Sparrows also eat the dog food.

Sometimes we chop up apples and grapes for the Robins and Finches as well.

[4pygmies]

C3d you lay on a feast don't you?

Grr..I wish I could get a decent shot of my beach hut this morning - it is LOADED with birds....there are dozens of them about at any one time. Plus there is a little bird - I thought it was a chaffinch but its markings are much more pronounced and its breast is much more yellowy orange coloured - it's feeding on the ground but I can't get a decent look at it - any ideas about what it could be please?

(Can't get a clear view as my windows are still laced with ice and the back door makes such a racket opening it'll frighten it away....)

[madonplants]

4pygmies said:

C3d you lay on a feast don't you?

Grr..I wish I could get a decent shot of my beach hut this morning - it is LOADED with birds....there are dozens of them about at any one time. Plus there is a little bird - I thought it was a chaffinch but its markings are much more pronounced and its breast is much more yellowy orange coloured - it's feeding on the ground but I can't get a decent look at it - any ideas about what it could be please?

(Can't get a clear view as my windows are still laced with ice and the back door makes such a racket opening it'll frighten it away....)

Brambling, if you don't think it's a chaffinch?

Keith

Edit. Not a brilliant picture, but...

www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/brambling/index.asp#

[4pygmies]

That's it! There are several of them now. Aren't they pretty? Thanks Keith!

And there are 5 fieldfares there atm too! Plus about 50 others, it's really wonderful. Poor things must be really hungry though...

[madonplants]

4pygmies said:

That's it! There are several of them now. Aren't they pretty? Thanks Keith!

And there are 5 fieldfares there atm too! Plus about 50 others, it's really wonderful. Poor things must be really hungry though...

I haven't seen one of them since................ no don't go there Keith!!! Fieldfares as well, you lucky thing!

As soon as you put like a chaffinch, I immediately thought of this winter visitor. Glad I could be of some help.

Keith

[4pygmies]

I knew you'd know! It's such a shame you don't get many birds in your garden, I don't understand it at all. I don't take my many visitors for granted now though!

[madonplants]

4pygmies said:

I knew you'd know! It's such a shame you don't get many birds in your garden, I don't understand it at all. I don't take my many visitors for granted now though!

I do in a way. My garden is still releatively new, so not a lot going on in it yet! It has a fishpond rather than a wildlife one. That will come soon, finances allowing. But the best reason I can come up with is that across the road, behind the school and football pitches, there is a nature conservation area designed with wildlife in mind, built around a huge pond, not as big as a lake and birds flock to it. Behind this there is the River Great Ouse, so plenty of natural food again. I just need to go there more often, as I regularly see skylarks and occasionally woodlarks, alongwith various other species. The larks remind me of that place I try not to mention, anymore.

I regularly get blackbirds, starlings, collared doves, house/tree sparrows, robins with the occasional chaffinch, great tit, dunnock, wren and last week, even a greenfinch, so maybe there is hope for me yet. I just would like the finches and tits to visit more often. Those goldfinches I saw last year, never seen them again, though there are ornamental thistles about and I will have the teasels coming up this year. There are nut/seed feeders, birdtable and one of those feeding stations with fatballs and more nuts and seeds, seed thrown on the ground, so it's not for want of trying. Oh and fresh water, too!
I haven't seen any birds at Stephen's school for ages, either. My garden just needs time I think and more will come.

Watch this space!

Keith

P.s. When you ever feel down 4P, just look outside, those birds will always cheer you up.

[madonplants]

Talking to my Mum on the phone last night, she thought we were lucky to get the birds we do get in our garden. They back onto the railway (Gatwick Express) and maybe get a few pigeons and the odd sparrow. I thought they would get more than that, backing onto a raliway line. Then we reminisced about 'that' house in the country again. See, even she misses that place, it's not just me! ;D

Keith

[Sleepy]

madonplants said:

Talking to my Mum on the phone last night, she thought we were lucky to get the birds we do get in our garden. They back onto the railway (Gatwick Express) and maybe get a few pidgeons and the odd sparrow. I thought they would get more than that, backing onto a raliway line. Then we reminisced about 'that' house in the country again. See, even she misses that place, it's not just me! ;D

Keith

I know exactly what you mean Keith. When I was a young lad we all had such a happy time in the house where we lived. Life was much harder in those days mind you - my Father used to set off for work at 3am each morning, and wouldn't get home again until gone 4am the next morning. Being Johnny Foreigners we used to sleep twelve to a room (it was expected of us), and we had a 12 mile walk to school each morning. We couldn't afford shoes, so we used to hop to scool on one foot, and hop back on the other, to save wear and tear on our poor little feet.

We used to love watching the birds in our garden. Although the ones we were able to catch didn't stretch very far. Our ma used to stew them with a potato when we could afford one.

Ahhhh... such happy days. It is so nice to dwell on ones happy childhood, isn't it?

[madonplants]

The said:

madonplants said:

Talking to my Mum on the phone last night, she thought we were lucky to get the birds we do get in our garden. They back onto the railway (Gatwick Express) and maybe get a few pidgeons and the odd sparrow. I thought they would get more than that, backing onto a raliway line. Then we reminisced about 'that' house in the country again. See, even she misses that place, it's not just me! ;D

Keith

Lets hope you win the lottery or premium bonds Keith, so you can move back there, soon. ;D

BTW it's pigeons

Unless of course you are talking about Walter www.screenrush.co.uk/personne/fichepersonne_gen_cpersonne=4396.html

Oops, how did I make that mistake?? Absolutely

Keith

P.s. Just noticed I spelt it pidgeon in Plocket's thread last year, G*d knows why, I was quite good at spelling at school!! I suppose it is the same as spelling buddleia, buddleja, as some people do!

Keith

[4pygmies]

I always write Buddleja...cos I like it spelt that way and I hardly ever use the j tab... ;D