Lovely jays - we don't get them in residential gardens round here, or at least, I've never seem them in any garden I've had,but I expect they're more visible in rural locations. I've seen them on the lower slopes of the hills, but only the southern ones - they don't get too far north.
My nuthatches are visiting every day - often the two together. I think they're a pair as the males seem to be quite stroppy with each other, from what I've read. They're very messy but the other birds benefit from the stuff chucked on the ground
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Blackies were waiting for me this morning Dove. Great to see them isn't it? They seem to visit more at this time of year here - when their normal food sources are a bit more scarce. Have you got frost today? We've gone from subzero and car scraping yesterday to rain and about 7 or 8 degrees today.
aym - the cage is constructed from the shelves from one of those plastic greenhouses. The holes will be around an inch and a half/3 or 4 centimetres I guess. It's just big enough to let all the small birds in but keep starlings and anything bigger out. The starlings had a go when I first put it up, but they didn't like it. I saw one trying recently, but he chickened out!
It will get constructed more robustly this year hopefully - didnt have time last year. It'll get a proper roof as I didn't have enough of the shelves at the time so used some netting, but the squirrel made a hole in it and got in. I stuck a few bits of timber on top as a temporary measure!
The nuthatches are bigger than tits and finches - about the chunkiness of a robin, but longer. I thought they wouldn't get in when they first visited - he/she spent a minute or so sitting on the top and looking down at the feeder. Just as I was feeling guilty, he dropped down and slipped in no bother
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
So envious of all your visiting birds, so off we went to the garden centre today for sunflower hearts & a new feeder and half coconuts filled with fat & mixed bird seed. I had a feeder with small holes for nyger seeds which last summer had up to ten gold finches at one time feeding on the seeds - in fact we bought a second feeder last summer as the nyger seeds were so popular. It will be interesting to see if we can attract more birds with these new foods.
The bird food cupboard is bulging - we will need a new cupboard soon!
Just sitting on the sofa watching a wren exploring the Clematis cirr. Freckles a couple of feet from the window. Being confined with the lurgy has some plus points
“I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh
Let's hope the lurgy eases & allows you to move off the sofa fairly soon, Dove. *I spotted a male & female Blackcap pair during the recent 'chilly' days in S Pembs, then added a Bullfinch pair today; my first in many a year...Maybe they'll all stick around for inclusion in the Birdcount w/e???
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Lovely jays - we don't get them in residential gardens round here, or at least, I've never seem them in any garden I've had,but I expect they're more visible in rural locations. I've seen them on the lower slopes of the hills, but only the southern ones - they don't get too far north.
My nuthatches are visiting every day - often the two together. I think they're a pair as the males seem to be quite stroppy with each other, from what I've read. They're very messy but the other birds benefit from the stuff chucked on the ground
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I got quite a few the first time they visited
Once he/she had figured out how to get in, he/she was quite acrobatic - standing on one leg and pulling the food out with the other
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've just counted at least 12 blackbirds in our back garden! They're tucking into the porridge oats, chopped apples and vine fruits I put out.
Last edited: 15 January 2017 09:06:29
Blackies were waiting for me this morning Dove. Great to see them isn't it? They seem to visit more at this time of year here - when their normal food sources are a bit more scarce. Have you got frost today? We've gone from subzero and car scraping yesterday to rain and about 7 or 8 degrees today.
aym - the cage is constructed from the shelves from one of those plastic greenhouses. The holes will be around an inch and a half/3 or 4 centimetres I guess. It's just big enough to let all the small birds in but keep starlings and anything bigger out. The starlings had a go when I first put it up, but they didn't like it. I saw one trying recently, but he chickened out!
It will get constructed more robustly this year hopefully - didnt have time last year. It'll get a proper roof as I didn't have enough of the shelves at the time so used some netting, but the squirrel made a hole in it and got in. I stuck a few bits of timber on top as a temporary measure!
The nuthatches are bigger than tits and finches - about the chunkiness of a robin, but longer. I thought they wouldn't get in when they first visited - he/she spent a minute or so sitting on the top and looking down at the feeder. Just as I was feeling guilty, he dropped down and slipped in no bother
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Couple of pics birds at feeder.
Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Fairy
We had a slight frost and sleet earlier, now it's just cold and damp.
There are still loads of blackbirds out there, and a pair of Gt Tits who appear to be prospecting for a new home.
Goldfinch colours are striking,we love them, see a few every day, more in the summer.
So envious of all your visiting birds, so off we went to the garden centre today for sunflower hearts & a new feeder and half coconuts filled with fat & mixed bird seed. I had a feeder with small holes for nyger seeds which last summer had up to ten gold finches at one time feeding on the seeds - in fact we bought a second feeder last summer as the nyger seeds were so popular. It will be interesting to see if we can attract more birds with these new foods.
The bird food cupboard is bulging - we will need a new cupboard soon!
Just sitting on the sofa watching a wren exploring the Clematis cirr. Freckles a couple of feet from the window. Being confined with the lurgy has some plus points
Let's hope the lurgy eases & allows you to move off the sofa fairly soon, Dove. *I spotted a male & female Blackcap pair during the recent 'chilly' days in S Pembs, then added a Bullfinch pair today; my first in many a year...Maybe they'll all stick around for inclusion in the Birdcount w/e???