We only have a small garden but seem to have a few pairs of different species as 'regular' visitors (Great Tits, Blackbirds and Wood Pigeons). Lately we seem to have a pair of Great Tits that seem to pop by several times every hour or so, occasionally trailed by a lone Blue Tit. Like most people I have a soft spot for the Robins though.
I have literally never seen any Finches around here, and sadly it has been a long time indeed since I've seen a House Sparrow when it used to be you couldn't walk for more than a minute or two without seeing them around here.
Marsh Harriers, we have a number that circle the skies close by to my garden . There's 3 magpies that they could have for breakfast as the damn things are driving me nuts. Attacking smaller birds and squawking (or whatever that sound is they make) all the time.
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
Please add pictures if possible? The cleanup crew showed up today to remove fish scraps. i think we have three pairs of hummers so far. Trying to add more salvia for them until the wildflowers bloom. Here is a poor pic of one this morning.he is siiting in front of the bluebird house on the branch
Impressive shots @Astro of your goldies - I have about 8-10 which continue to constantly squabble over the positions on the nyjer seed feeder so they are never still enough to get a shot. I do however have two greater spotted woodpeckers, Philleas the pheasant and his three wives, numerous tits of all types, nuthatches and chaffinches, song thrush and a few others on a regular basis!
I'd love all the little ones to visit but all I seem to have are wood pigeons, crows and magpies... all the ones I don't particularly like. Typical.
Mix 2tbsp of white,granulated sugar with 1tbsp of water and place on a spoon for a Bee to reach. Sometimes they're too exhausted to reach back to the hives when it's hot and dry.
Have you got lots of hedgerows, shrubs, climbers etc for the small birds to seek safety in? Small birds feel very vulnerable if there’s nowhere to hide.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
We have a fish pond and occasionally get kingfishers that sit on a nearby lantern and look out for their next meal, sometimes for several minutes. Then a quick flash of orange and iridescent blue and that's one fewer goldfish in the pond.
This year we have massively increased the number and diversity of birds visiting our garden, all kinds of tit, woodpeckers and my favourites: goldfinches and nuthatches. The crucial difference is sunflower hearts. They don’t seem interested in peanuts or fat balls, but the sunflower hearts have to be refilled every other day! We also let a large part of our grass grow into meadow last year, so an increase in invertebrates May have helped.
At this time of year the fat ball use increases. It seems the sparrows use it as fast food for them, and then start hunting the garden for bugs. Also the blackbird females are eating alot more of them too.
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I have literally never seen any Finches around here, and sadly it has been a long time indeed since I've seen a House Sparrow when it used to be you couldn't walk for more than a minute or two without seeing them around here.
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw'
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...