The birds have spilled so much seed out of the feeders, I am not filling the feeders until they clean up at least have the mess. Might sound mean but they actually get busy and eat what they've spilled. Of course they still get the ice dumped out of the bird bath and refilled everyday. I wouldn't deny them their bath time, it was so cold for so long, I couldn't put water out. The first few warmer days and they really made use of the bath.lol
Dave - lovely to have evidence that blackcaps really are over-wintering in the UK - we see (or more usually hear) a few here in the spring and summer, but none in the winter ... yet
“I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh
I noticed a Junco under one of my feeders yesterday. They usually only pop in for a couple weeks before Christmas and then you never see them for another year.
Took a bike ride and fed some ducks, chickadees, woodpeckers and a lone nuthatch.
Same here David Mathews2 - female blackcap now seen regularly - never seen them before in the winter, but apparently they are staying in this country now to overwinter.
This morning we've around two dozen black blackbirds in the back garden ... all pretending they can't see the others ... tucking into porridge oats, chopped apple and leftover macaroni cheese, and they're queuing up to bathe at the edge of the pond where I've removed the ice.
We've also got greenfinches, chaffinches, bluetits, great tits, a pair of robins and a group of house sparrows on the feeders, and a wren busying itself around the clematis-covered fences ... I've not seen the dunnocks out there yet this morning, but I'm pretty sure they're around somewhere ... they usually are
I wonder where they'll all go to hide next weekend when it's the Big Birdwatch ...
Last edited: 22 January 2017 11:20:56
“I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh
Think my resident robin is Dennis junior (offspring of Dennis and 'not Dennis' ) - the youngster that was born last year. He has a bit of attitude
Likes his cheese too Dove - he's got some Wensleydale this morning
I haven't seen the blackbirds as much this winter - think they've been busy hoovering up the cotoneaster berries out at the back of the boundary. There's one pair which are fairly regular though. It's taken a few years to get them in but always worth it
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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The birds have spilled so much seed out of the feeders, I am not filling the feeders until they clean up at least have the mess. Might sound mean but they actually get busy and eat what they've spilled. Of course they still get the ice dumped out of the bird bath and refilled everyday. I wouldn't deny them their bath time, it was so cold for so long, I couldn't put water out. The first few warmer days and they really made use of the bath.lol
To remind us of spring and busy times to come http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/wildlife-gardening/anyone-else-get-slightly-rare-bird-visitors/709032-2.html/
Dave - lovely to have evidence that blackcaps really are over-wintering in the UK - we see (or more usually hear) a few here in the spring and summer, but none in the winter ... yet
I noticed a Junco under one of my feeders yesterday. They usually only pop in for a couple weeks before Christmas and then you never see them for another year.
Took a bike ride and fed some ducks, chickadees, woodpeckers and a lone nuthatch.
Same here David Mathews2 - female blackcap now seen regularly - never seen them before in the winter, but apparently they are staying in this country now to overwinter.
This morning we've around two dozen black blackbirds in the back garden ... all pretending they can't see the others ... tucking into porridge oats, chopped apple and leftover macaroni cheese, and they're queuing up to bathe at the edge of the pond where I've removed the ice.
We've also got greenfinches, chaffinches, bluetits, great tits, a pair of robins and a group of house sparrows on the feeders, and a wren busying itself around the clematis-covered fences ... I've not seen the dunnocks out there yet this morning, but I'm pretty sure they're around somewhere ... they usually are
I wonder where they'll all go to hide next weekend when it's the Big Birdwatch ...
Last edited: 22 January 2017 11:20:56
Think my resident robin is Dennis junior (offspring of Dennis and 'not Dennis' ) - the youngster that was born last year. He has a bit of attitude
Likes his cheese too Dove - he's got some Wensleydale this morning
I haven't seen the blackbirds as much this winter - think they've been busy hoovering up the cotoneaster berries out at the back of the boundary. There's one pair which are fairly regular though. It's taken a few years to get them in but always worth it
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Great picture of your blackbird FG.
Thanks F'edge
That was actually from last winter, but I think I have the same pair again - if that's possible...not really sure!
Good when they sit nicely for a while on the fence though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That's the trouble with birds - they keep moving!