I had a couple of either willow warblers or chiffchaffs recently. They're very similar, but I think willow w's are more likely. Zipping about and then disappearing. I got a pic, but it wasn't very good. We're in what was a lot of woodland too, so loads of different trees. Birch, Rowan, Maple and Ash mainly. Funnily enough, we get a lot of coal tits, and I've seen them stashing sunflower hearts all over the garden in the last couple of years - at this time of year. Wee souls. If only they could read - I could put a sign up saying they don't need to bother - I always keep the feeders stocked Unfortunately- they aren't contributing to new woodland, unlike the jays!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
We have loads of coal tits visiting the feeders. At least they are easy to identify, I’m useless on the ‘little brown jobs’, all look alike to me, and never stay still long enough to make out any distinguishing features. Our garden contains mainly oak, beech, birch and Scots Pine. We occasionally get flocks of gold crests in the pine trees, still hoping to see a fire crest with them. We are incredibly lucky with the variety of birds we see here. Sadly, no sparrows or starlings. I get pathetically excited when I see flocks of them in the shrubbery in the local town. We had starlings in the roof at our last house! I still miss them.
We have loads of coal tits visiting the feeders. At least they are easy to identify, I’m useless on the ‘little brown jobs’, all look alike to me, and never stay still long enough to make out any distinguishing features. Our garden contains mainly oak, beech, birch and Scots Pine. We occasionally get flocks of gold crests in the pine trees, still hoping to see a fire crest with them. We are incredibly lucky with the variety of birds we see here. Sadly, no sparrows or starlings. I get pathetically excited when I see flocks of them in the shrubbery in the local town. We had starlings in the roof at our last house! I still miss them.
I think we must get your share of starlings up here. They're a flippin' nuisance. Squabbling and mobbing the feeders and scaring off the other birds
Sparrow central round here @Ergates - in the garden and all around. They do seem to be declining in many areas. I've no idea why that is though. A real shame. Unfortunately, we also have copious amounts of messy starlings! They mainly use the fat ball feeder under the conifer, so it keeps them at bay a little bit. Once the neighbour along the road fills his feeders with all the cheap bird food, that'll help, and it'll keep the other pigeons away from Dave We do get goldcrests occasionally too - but they're secretive little things. Conifer is a favourite stronghold for them, so there's no shortage of cover for them here. Wrens too - one of my favourites.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I don't know @B3, but these things can often create an imbalance. Cold/hot/wet extremes, with plants growing too early/too late etc, so the insects aren't present at the right times . It certainly causes problem for small birds like blue tits, and in very wet spring weather new clutches can get washed away too. It happens here, and then they're playing catch up to try and get enough new clutches surviving because the season's shorter too.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I thought the weather might have had an effect on the birds this year, but actually the numbers are up. More house sparrows, dunnocks, blue tits, and blackbirds. The usual amount of great tits, longtailed tits, and wood pigeons. The starlings do a mini murmuration each evening, but rarely come in my garden, and the jackdaws appear to have done well too. My pair of collared doves are still sitting waiting to be fed, don't have the heart to tell them they are too late the others have eaten it all.😆
One of the "Gang of Three" jackdaws that has 'adopted' my hanging basket bird feeder as a 'fly-through takeaway' ...! Pizza, naan bread or poppadom - it's all grist to their international taste buds!!
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We're in what was a lot of woodland too, so loads of different trees. Birch, Rowan, Maple and Ash mainly. Funnily enough, we get a lot of coal tits, and I've seen them stashing sunflower hearts all over the garden in the last couple of years - at this time of year. Wee souls. If only they could read - I could put a sign up saying they don't need to bother - I always keep the feeders stocked
Unfortunately- they aren't contributing to new woodland, unlike the jays!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sadly, no sparrows or starlings. I get pathetically excited when I see flocks of them in the shrubbery in the local town. We had starlings in the roof at our last house! I still miss them.
They're a flippin' nuisance. Squabbling and mobbing the feeders and scaring off the other birds
Unfortunately, we also have copious amounts of messy starlings! They mainly use the fat ball feeder under the conifer, so it keeps them at bay a little bit. Once the neighbour along the road fills his feeders with all the cheap bird food, that'll help, and it'll keep the other pigeons away from Dave
We do get goldcrests occasionally too - but they're secretive little things. Conifer is a favourite stronghold for them, so there's no shortage of cover for them here. Wrens too - one of my favourites.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Cold/hot/wet extremes, with plants growing too early/too late etc, so the insects aren't present at the right times .
It certainly causes problem for small birds like blue tits, and in very wet spring weather new clutches can get washed away too. It happens here, and then they're playing catch up to try and get enough new clutches surviving because the season's shorter too.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...