I've been putting extra out since it went cold, and now I have extra mouths to feed - the blackbirds are back, we have two wagtails, and I got the binoculars out the other day because there was a lesser red poll on the feeder!! 😲 The starlings and robin were still bathing until the freeze, so I've been taking a kettle out every day too.
I thought you might be interested to see the sea birds here on the Dee estuary today, feeding and merrily splashing about surrounded by ice! This encouraged me to put out more food for the garden birds on my return from another chilly walk!
I've just started feeding the resident crows. They're still wary of me, but after a week they are starting to show up at the same time in the morning for their handout. I've been soaking cat food overnight and in the morning mix in chunks of apple, shelled peanuts, and meal worms. I toss it into the pasture for them, near the mulberry tree where they eat berries all summer, and within a few minutes of my returning to the house they'll fly in and gobble as much as they can. We also have wild turkeys, and if it's a particularly hard winter I'll put out some cracked corn for them. My mother takes care of the "pretty" birds.
New England, USA
Metacomet soil with hints of Woodbridge and Pillsbury
I've certainly never had a Marsh Tit (or Willow Tit) in my garden. Either of those would be bird of the century for me!
It’s taken me ages to confidently (90%) identify it as a marsh tit as opposed to a willow tit, but because it visits the feeder most days I can get a good look with my binoculars 😃
It’s taken me ages to confidently (90%) identify it as a marsh tit as opposed to a willow tit, but because it visits the feeder most days I can get a good look with my binoculars 😃
Well you're exceptionally lucky to have one in your garden, and I'm well jealous
Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
I can see why they would be good for shelter @Fairygirl - I'm trying to think where my closest conifer is, not sure! People in my area don't plant anything- their houses go on sale and I get straight onto rightmove to nose at their gardens , always disappointed! I'm also jealous of you @CDouch for getting that robin on your hand, it's practically my dream! My garden robin won't even stay if I go outside. However I have some on my morning walk that I feed and they do come up to me and wait for food, but I still can't get to the hand feeding.
I thought you might be interested to see the sea birds here on the Dee estuary today, feeding and merrily splashing about surrounded by ice!
Ice on the foreshore? Heck it must be cold!
I think I can see Wigeon, maybe Black-tailed Godwits & possibly Knot?
I was surprised to see ice like this at 2.30 pm @LunarSea, and it was definitely cold! I'm ashamed to admit I don't know the ID of the birds, but here's another close up. Also a shot of the sea ice further down the coast, more like frozen foam!
I'm also jealous of you @CDouch for getting that robin on your hand, it's practically my dream! My garden robin won't even stay if I go outside. However I have some on my morning walk that I feed and they do come up to me and wait for food, but I still can't get to the hand feeding.
I can’t believe that it happened either! The robins in my garden come pretty close and I’ve tried getting them to come to my hand but no luck. This was a Robin in quite a remote area with no houses or bird feeding stations around for miles so I’m wondering if perhaps it was really hungry, as it was bitterly cold, so it was willing to take a chance. I’ll never, ever forget the experience ☺️
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I've certainly never had a Marsh Tit (or Willow Tit) in my garden. Either of those would be bird of the century for me!
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
The starlings and robin were still bathing until the freeze, so I've been taking a kettle out every day too.
Ice on the foreshore? Heck it must be cold!
I think I can see Wigeon, maybe Black-tailed Godwits & possibly Knot?
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
Well you're exceptionally lucky to have one in your garden, and I'm well jealous
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
I'm also jealous of you @CDouch for getting that robin on your hand, it's practically my dream! My garden robin won't even stay if I go outside. However I have some on my morning walk that I feed and they do come up to me and wait for food, but I still can't get to the hand feeding.