I had a similar problem with a baby hedgehog last winter. It was hanging around the bird feeders in the middle of the day so I ran out with an old shoebox to take it to the rescue centre. But everytime I approached it shot through the hole in the fence we'd made for its parents, so I had to walk all the way around to try again. It became a spectator sport for the neighbours until my pea brain worked out that if I put the shoebox by the hole I'd get it. Thankfully, she saw out the winter at the rescue centre.
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill
We don't have many wild pheasants over here, so I was delighted to hear one a couple of years ago - it kept appearing in our garden but the cat scared it away. The pheasant found a mate and both have visited our garden on a few occasions. In the past week it has been just the male here again - calling for his mate - I do hope she appears soon. However I love the sound he makes - and he is a beautiful sight.
I suspect the hen pheasant is brooding a nest somewhere nearby. You may see her join the cock when she leaves the nest to feed, usually at dawn and sometimes in the mid afternoon.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
This is the first year we have had several pairs of the beautiful goldfinch, they feed on sunflower hearts, Nyger and even the crushed peanuts. The greater spotted woodpeckers made several visits either to feed off the palm tree bark or the nut feeder. Fabulous bird to see and I listen to them often in the woods opposite our garden. One visitor that sent me flying to the bird book was a couple of pairs of Redwing, I have never seen them before and watched intently as they foraged in the borders. I fear I may be becoming a bird watcher! On the TV this morning they are saying that the Blackbird, Robin and Wren are in decline, all three are thriving in the garden. I was delighted to see the dear Sparrow also visit, I do not know which ones they were but when we lived in town the Sparrow for many years was as common as the Starling. As for the Pheasant it is obviously silly season again, on a drive in the country the road kill numbers were saddening. It is clear to see that we all enjoy our garden visitors and the joy they bring. Firefly∆ said:
# wishing I didn't live in a city.
Firefly I understand how you feel, we moved to a rural setting nearly 3 years ago and I still dive to the window on waking to look at nature on the doorstep. It is surprising just how many young people are seeking a way out of the pace of modern life. Time just to stop and listen to the sounds of nature is truly uplifting.
I lived in the heart if London, in a flat with a small Balcony i put out bird feeders and had many birds, including goldfinches. There were owls and woodpeckers in a nearby tree and herons flew overhead, checking out garden ponds. so living in the city doesn’t mean you can’t attract birds !
Hi can someone please tell me what type of bird this is? We’ve been seeing the same bird and another one of exactly the same type - (its partner I assume) since autum. It’s got almost like a ring on its neck and very big bird. We first thougt its just a pigeon but I don’t think it is. Or is it?
- sorry its not a very good picture. It’s what I could manage this morning.
Look deep into
nature, and then you will understand everything better. -A. Einstein
Kristine- Yes it's a wood pigeon- tend to be bigger & plumper than the ferral ones you get in cities.
Hi Allotment Boy, Thank you for confirming this. I’m not very good at recognising different type of birds. And there I thought we had a special type in our garden 😂 but it is lovely to see birds all around. We also have a Robin who visits everyday.
Look deep into
nature, and then you will understand everything better. -A. Einstein
I am hoping that you are right Dove - we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a female pheasant for the poor old boy! You paint a lovely picture of your birds Kathie - I would love to have such a variety here. Sparrows are certainly the most dominate in our garden. So anything above the usual is a bonus like the black cap we had for few days in the colder weather.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
i put out bird feeders and had many birds, including goldfinches. There were owls and woodpeckers in a nearby tree and herons flew overhead, checking out garden ponds.
so living in the city doesn’t mean you can’t attract birds !
- sorry its not a very good picture. It’s what I could manage this morning.
Thank you for confirming this.