Is that a red-breasted nuthatch, Johnny? I've just looked them up because, though its general appearance and stance reminds me of the nuthatches we have on our bird feeders, there are definite differences from our European one.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Hello aym, my sisters have been describing me as that crazy wizard in the hobbit. The one that kept birds under his hat.
I buy my bird seed in big bags from Costco. It has just about everything in it except cheese, worms and fruit. I could mix up some or I see there are a few wild bird stores in the city.
Hello Liriodenron,
You're correct, that is a red breasted Nuthatch. I've always enjoyed the nuthatches in my yard, the way they like to hang upside down. The ones here at my house are the white breasted Nuthatch.
I was planning to do my Bird Watch Sunday morning as fancied seeing what's about early morning then, as I'm up, watching the tennis final (Australian Open) but forecast is rain... so I've done a 'back-up' watch from 4-5 today. I didn't see many birds and I blame the Magpies for that but I did see a trio of birds in my Cherry Plum tree which I hadn't noticed before. I have done some identification and to my delight they appear to be Bullfinches - at least two being females!
Think i will do my bird watch tmrw morning too auntyrach, i have lots more food out this week because of the cold and spread things about a bit, fingers crossed they will all be hungry in the morning ? I have a robin and now 2 blackbirds that i feed every morning when i walk my dog. The robin appeared months ago and wasn't worried by us, just hopped along in the lane. I took some food one morning and he was so excited, so i did the same the next morning etc and now he appears every morning for his breakfast which i carry in my pocket. The two blackbirds join in too now, i put food a little further up the lane for them. I will try and get a picture. So simple but they brighten my day ?
We have a very angry goldfinch on the feeder here. He (?) Refuses to share the peanut mountain with anyone.
We lost a blackbird this morning to what we think was a hobby by the muck heap. We also have a hen harrier that circles around. We both miss the buzzards from Somerset though.
I keep looking out for a pair of collared doves that hang around checking out the latest progresses in the yard
No Hobbies anywhere in Europe during the winter months; most likely it was a Sparrowhawk that caught the Blackbird. Hobbies won't return until about May.
Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
No. Female birds are often less colourful for camouflage reasons, not because "they have been dealt an unfair hand" as you say. Think about it, they sit on eggs. The last thing they want to do is attract predators. They invest all in breeding success and have evolved to be less colourful for this reason.
Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
So true Redwing - just think of Pheasants, the male is all show, the female dainty and inconspicuous, same with the Peacocks. I do find it difficult to make out the male or female of most garden birds except the blackbird which appears to be the easiest to make out.
am sooooo excited!!! we had a pair of nuthatches in the garden yesterday for the 1st time!!! they kaept flitting back for most of the afternoon using 3 different feeders, am reminded of the film wayne's world " if you build it they will come" ! now we just need the goldfinches back and I'll be a v happy bunny!
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Is that a red-breasted nuthatch, Johnny? I've just looked them up because, though its general appearance and stance reminds me of the nuthatches we have on our bird feeders, there are definite differences from our European one.
Hello aym, my sisters have been describing me as that crazy wizard in the hobbit. The one that kept birds under his hat.
I buy my bird seed in big bags from Costco. It has just about everything in it except cheese, worms and fruit. I could mix up some or I see there are a few wild bird stores in the city.
Hello Liriodenron,
You're correct, that is a red breasted Nuthatch. I've always enjoyed the nuthatches in my yard, the way they like to hang upside down. The ones here at my house are the white breasted Nuthatch.
I was planning to do my Bird Watch Sunday morning as fancied seeing what's about early morning then, as I'm up, watching the tennis final (Australian Open) but forecast is rain... so I've done a 'back-up' watch from 4-5 today. I didn't see many birds and I blame the Magpies for that but I did see a trio of birds in my Cherry Plum tree which I hadn't noticed before. I have done some identification and to my delight they appear to be Bullfinches - at least two being females!
Think i will do my bird watch tmrw morning too auntyrach, i have lots more food out this week because of the cold and spread things about a bit, fingers crossed they will all be hungry in the morning ? I have a robin and now 2 blackbirds that i feed every morning when i walk my dog. The robin appeared months ago and wasn't worried by us, just hopped along in the lane. I took some food one morning and he was so excited, so i did the same the next morning etc and now he appears every morning for his breakfast which i carry in my pocket. The two blackbirds join in too now, i put food a little further up the lane for them. I will try and get a picture. So simple but they brighten my day ?
I put a robin nest box, tit next box and a wren nest basket up today, fingers crossed they will like to visit ?
We have a very angry goldfinch on the feeder here. He (?) Refuses to share the peanut mountain with anyone.
We lost a blackbird this morning to what we think was a hobby by the muck heap. We also have a hen harrier that circles around. We both miss the buzzards from Somerset though.
I keep looking out for a pair of collared doves that hang around checking out the latest progresses in the yard
No Hobbies anywhere in Europe during the winter months; most likely it was a Sparrowhawk that caught the Blackbird. Hobbies won't return until about May.
No. Female birds are often less colourful for camouflage reasons, not because "they have been dealt an unfair hand" as you say. Think about it, they sit on eggs. The last thing they want to do is attract predators. They invest all in breeding success and have evolved to be less colourful for this reason.
So true Redwing - just think of Pheasants, the male is all show, the female dainty and inconspicuous, same with the Peacocks. I do find it difficult to make out the male or female of most garden birds except the blackbird which appears to be the easiest to make out.
am sooooo excited!!! we had a pair of nuthatches in the garden yesterday for the 1st time!!! they kaept flitting back for most of the afternoon using 3 different feeders, am reminded of the film wayne's world " if you build it they will come" ! now we just need the goldfinches back and I'll be a v happy bunny!