|
|
Post by Cherry on Feb 1, 2012 8:57:10 GMT
One of the blackbirds was flying up to feed friom the fatballs so I had to go and take the ground feeders food out to them. I felt very sorry for the blackbird. What desperation. The water was very frozen this morning, so that has all been sorted now. I wish they were more careful of their toilet habits where the water is concerned.
|
|
|
|
Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 1, 2012 10:25:08 GMT
That shot is unbelievable. That would be a prizewinning photograph somewhere. What about your show? Thank you for the compliment, it did help that the bird sat so still for so long. Our photography class is themed so it is dependent on the theme. There are also some very good photographers in the village. The Blackbirds in our garden feed from the hanging fat balls, they are becoming quite expert at their acrobatics. They will still feed from them even if there is food on the ground for them. A while ago I read an article which said our garden birds are evolving to suit the feeders in out gardens. |
|
|
|
Post by floydie on Feb 1, 2012 11:34:42 GMT
Has anyone noticed a decline in garden birds this year? or found any dead birds? I'll say why later.  |
|
|
|
Post by SueA on Feb 1, 2012 12:46:12 GMT
Lovely pics. of the sparrowhawk W.F., I haven't seen ours for a while now.
Floydie I haven't noticed any decline in bird numbers or dead birds here. There have been fewer unusual visitors to our garden but then I think that's because it's been fairly mild & they haven't needed to come to the feeders in gardens.
|
|
|
|
Post by peony on Feb 1, 2012 13:40:36 GMT
Lovely pics. of the sparrowhawk W.F., I haven't seen ours for a while now. Floydie I haven't noticed any decline in bird numbers or dead birds here. There have been fewer unusual visitors to our garden but then I think that's because it's been fairly mild & they haven't needed to come to the feeders in gardens. Nor here  |
|
|
|
Post by floydie on Feb 1, 2012 14:03:41 GMT
Ok thank you any one else?
|
|
|
|
Post by esther on Feb 1, 2012 15:05:57 GMT
Great photos of the Sparrowhawk WLF I haven't got a photo of a Sparrowhawk - just a huge pile of Collared Dove feathers in the garden  |
|
|
|
Post by esther on Feb 1, 2012 15:06:30 GMT
Lovely pics. of the sparrowhawk W.F., I haven't seen ours for a while now. Floydie I haven't noticed any decline in bird numbers or dead birds here. There have been fewer unusual visitors to our garden but then I think that's because it's been fairly mild & they haven't needed to come to the feeders in gardens. Nor here Nor here Floydie |
|
|
|
Post by lesley on Feb 1, 2012 15:23:01 GMT
Has anyone noticed a decline in garden birds this year? or found any dead birds? I'll say why later. Not here Floydie, just that they don't come out much in this cold weather, I see them feeding first thing in the morning then again late afternoon, you can hear them in the bushes. |
|
|
|
Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 1, 2012 15:48:10 GMT
No decline here and no dead birds. I sometimes find a small pile of feathers but that is the fox.
|
|
|
|
Post by cowslip on Feb 1, 2012 16:17:36 GMT
Has anyone noticed a decline in garden birds this year? or found any dead birds? I'll say why later. No decline in birds here and the only dead ones I've seen were being eaten by the sparrowhawk Apparently where the sparrowhawk is hunting is an indication that there is a good, healthy population of birds. A few miles out of town today we saw a buzzard. |
|
|
|
Post by floydie on Feb 2, 2012 1:41:14 GMT
Right the reason i asked is because there have been mass deaths in the cavy (guinea pig) world  . There have been many suggestions as to what has caused the deaths (up and down the country) and one theory was an air born virus spread by birds, some people had noted a decline in birds in there area and some had found dead birds fairly close to each other. I was just asking as you are the people who would have noticed if this was the case  . Around 500 in total is the number lost upto now . |
|
|
|
Post by merlin on Feb 2, 2012 8:22:21 GMT
Great photos of the Sparrowhawk WLF I haven't got a photo of a Sparrowhawk - just a huge pile of Collared Dove feathers in the garden I know how upsetting that is Esther, We're not supposed to interfere but we do of cause with feeding stations. apart from one peanut feeder on the fence I scatter food on the ground now. Trouble is that unless I stick around the 'orrible maggies eat it. I looked at a Larsen trap yesterday but I know how difficult it would be to kill it in the trap  I have lots of buzzards and a resident Hawk but I wish they'd go for the mice and Voles that have turned my beds into a mini world war ! landscape.....holes all over the place. I've tried mouse-traps but they don't like what I put on them. They do enjoy Crocus though  |
|
|
|
Post by Cherry on Feb 2, 2012 8:57:46 GMT
Merlin can't the birds get fed in a smaller space beside a hedge? The magpies here are not interested in the small birds' food, but come into the patio area at night, not the kennel run which is too enclosed for them. One took a mouse which the cat had killed from the patio area. The sparrowhawk can't get into the kennel run which is a blessing. It concentrates on feral pigeons down on the farm.
The Wildlife and Wetlands Trust is very worried about the drought we have here and our talk at WI tonight will be on this subject.
|
|
|
|
Post by sweetpea on Feb 2, 2012 20:04:23 GMT
Saw a most unusual sight today, at least for me it was as I have never ever seen this before.
A robin was feeding on the ground while a bluetit was busy above its head on the farball feeder.
The tit flew off and the robin which had been watching it flew up and clung to the fatball feeder and had some of the fatball. It then flitted round to the peanut feeder about 18" away and had a go at that.
Now this may well be quite common but I have never seen it before today which was bitter cold.
|
|
. There have been many suggestions as to what has caused the deaths (up and down the country) and one theory was an air born virus spread by birds, some people had noted a decline in birds in there area and some had found dead birds fairly close to each other.
.
