We are plagued with starlings and I gave up counting when I got to 25 and they were moving about.
Quite a few of the regulars were missing this morning due to a lurking cat and a visit from a greedy squirrel but I was pleased to see a couple of siskins paying a flying visit.
Think I'll see what happens tomorrow.
Fairy lucky you - I've not seen any thrushes for years now.
I've noticed a huge difference since I came back to this area Lesley. My previous house was only a few hundred yards away and there was a large area of grass between my front garden and a small bit of woodland which may account for some changes in numbers, but I haven't seen any chaffinches since I've been here and no greenfinches either. Chaffinches were the most common bird there. I was pleased to see the little goldcrest yesterday - conifers do have their uses! I think the mild winter last year probably made a difference too - the blackies only come in when there isn't much natural food about so I didn't really have any visiting till a week or two ago. I'm pleased to have more and more birds coming in regularly - even if it's a battle of wits with the starlings
It just shows what a bit of helpful planting and some food in winter can achieve.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've never seen a goldcrest in the 25 plus years we've been here (Got stuck on the maths). The green finches have disappeared and so have the numbers of tits. On the other hand the starlings and sparrows are thriving. I'm going to increase the range of food I put out in the hope we get a few of the missing back. So far I have Nyger seed, fat balls/cylinders, mixed seed, peanuts and throw out bread, apples etc.
Wish I could take bird pics like the ones on this thread - they don't pose for me
This is the first time I have done a Bird Count, didn't really know what to expect. I rang the birds' bell (sunflower hearts inside a plastic bottle make a loud noise), put down lots of sunflower hearts and a new homemade coconut fatball, and came inside to wash the dishes while gazing out the kitchen window. I quickly discovered that you need a free hand to write while you are watching, so the dishes were abandoned!
Here's my count:
Blackbirds 4
Blue tits 8
Chaffinches 15
Collared doves 2
Dunnocks 2
Goldfinches 7
Great tits 9
Nuthatch 1
Blue jay 1
Sparrows 2
Magpies 3
Robins 2
Woodpeckers 3
Coal tit 1
Thrush 1
Marsh tit 2
Crows 2
and three grey squirrels!
I had removed one feeder from the verandah, because I wanted everyone under my eye on the other two feeders, and it worked. Bit disappointed by the goldfinches, normally there are as many as chaffinches. And I refuse to believe that one little coal tit can eat all the sunflower hearts I saw being taken away, ditto the marsh tits, but I couldn't prove there were more birds. I want to do another count, just for fun, during next week when the weather is good.
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That's a good haul Dove
We are plagued with starlings and I gave up counting when I got to 25 and they were moving about.
Quite a few of the regulars were missing this morning due to a lurking cat and a visit from a greedy squirrel but I was pleased to see a couple of siskins paying a flying visit.
Think I'll see what happens tomorrow.
Fairy lucky you - I've not seen any thrushes for years now.
Whoops, Blackbird should read 3 not 1
typo!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I've noticed a huge difference since I came back to this area Lesley. My previous house was only a few hundred yards away and there was a large area of grass between my front garden and a small bit of woodland which may account for some changes in numbers, but I haven't seen any chaffinches since I've been here and no greenfinches either. Chaffinches were the most common bird there. I was pleased to see the little goldcrest yesterday - conifers do have their uses! I think the mild winter last year probably made a difference too - the blackies only come in when there isn't much natural food about so I didn't really have any visiting till a week or two ago. I'm pleased to have more and more birds coming in regularly - even if it's a battle of wits with the starlings
It just shows what a bit of helpful planting and some food in winter can achieve.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've never seen a goldcrest in the 25 plus years we've been here (Got stuck on the maths). The green finches have disappeared and so have the numbers of tits. On the other hand the starlings and sparrows are thriving
. I'm going to increase the range of food I put out in the hope we get a few of the missing back. So far I have Nyger seed, fat balls/cylinders, mixed seed, peanuts and throw out bread, apples etc.
Wish I could take bird pics like the ones on this thread - they don't pose for me
Done my garden bird count today from 10.30
Blackbird 1
Robin 1
Starling 1
Magpie 1
Dunnock 1
House sparrow 2
Collared dove 2
Blue tits 3
And a Grey Squirrel making a lot of noise
I have filled in the online form so all submitted - think I may have seen a black cap but bit too far to tell
This is the first time I have done a Bird Count, didn't really know what to expect. I rang the birds' bell (sunflower hearts inside a plastic bottle make a loud noise), put down lots of sunflower hearts and a new homemade coconut fatball, and came inside to wash the dishes while gazing out the kitchen window. I quickly discovered that you need a free hand to write while you are watching, so the dishes were abandoned!
Here's my count:
Blackbirds 4
Blue tits 8
Chaffinches 15
Collared doves 2
Dunnocks 2
Goldfinches 7
Great tits 9
Nuthatch 1
Blue jay 1
Sparrows 2
Magpies 3
Robins 2
Woodpeckers 3
Coal tit 1
Thrush 1
Marsh tit 2
Crows 2
and three grey squirrels!
I had removed one feeder from the verandah, because I wanted everyone under my eye on the other two feeders, and it worked. Bit disappointed by the goldfinches, normally there are as many as chaffinches. And I refuse to believe that one little coal tit can eat all the sunflower hearts I saw being taken away, ditto the marsh tits, but I couldn't prove there were more birds. I want to do another count, just for fun, during next week when the weather is good.
We're on 12 acres here, with lots of trees, and surrounded by fields, so I guess that helps.
They are magical.....we suddenly had a couple last year.