We have fairly regular nuthatches - being on the edge of mixed woodland is a help. There was a pair helping themselves to sunflower hearts late in the spring, and flying off with them, presumably feeding babies. Only once seen tree creepers here though... the Calderdale "speciality" is a twite (no comments please!) which looks quite like a chaffinch or linnet. Never knowingly seen one though. I guess you might, though, Fairy - they are found in S & W Scotland as well, my book says.
Dove, it is indeed exciting, but frustrating too - we've made plant lists and applied for a grant, but might not get the money until too late to plant bare-root stuff this year. There's another area of about 50 square metres which is close to the main path, though, so we'll probably buy bigger pot-grown things for there, and be able to plant that bit in spring. Nothing very unusual but a variety of size, colour and texture of shrubs, with some evergreen and some with scented flowers. We can't plant viburnums, lilac, pieris, skimmia & quite a lot of others I can't remember, because they are susceptible to phytophthora. Sarcococca next to the seat for winter scent.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Oh my goodness, that's my favourite bird! You are so lucky, Fairygirl (and hello! I joined Forkers recently). I hadn't seen one for years and years until a brief glimpse on a garden visit this summer. I think if I saw one in my own garden my whoops of joy might frighten it away... It's unlikely here in the 'burbs but my brother has had one - once - nearby.
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
pdoc the woodland is just over the fence from the bird feeder which no doubt helps but I don't think they were common in our area before. We have been in this house over 40 years and it's about five years ago that I first saw them.
Hello too LG. I was just lucky that he didn't b*gger off while I got the camera!
According to the RSPB site they're not regularly seen up here, but perhaps they're gradually becoming more common. We have a small National Trust garden close by and there's lots of woodland between it and the houses here. It also says they don't often travel far from where they breed, so there might be a little colony there. Not a lot of oak trees here, but plenty of beech which is a good food source for them. Now that it's come in, I hope it'll keep coming. There's been a big increase in bird numbers and visitors since we moved in here, now that they have a garden with some good cover and habitat, instead of gravel and slabs. It's very satisfying to feel it's making a difference
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Never saw a nuthatch in our Belgian garden and none here either. However, the feeders I've put out are being used by somebody and I look forward to identifying what we have when things have settled down enough and I have more plants and feeders positioned where I can gaze out of windows and identify the wildlife.
Kittens have been steamed. He just lies back and gets comfy while she sits and starts to mew after a few minutes.
OH's birthday lunch was very good and worth the trip. Afterwards we went for stroll to the shore but the Atlantic is still looking like a mill pond whenever we go. One of these days we'll get dramatic waves and clouds.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Beautiful picture Fairy, I surprised myself and said, that's a Nuthatch...scrolled down and I was actually right!
Have to agree with Topbird about Ipswich I'm afraid GWRS, I live within 2 minutes walk from the football ground. I've lived here eighteen years but come from a village 25 miles away where I grew up. Surrounding countryside is lovely! Some lovely buildings in Ipswich also as well as lovely people. Unfortunately there is a real poverty problem, the town has grown too large in number without the jobs to support it, or the infrastructure. there is an incresing problem with homelessness in the town. There is a diverse cultural representation however this is unfortunately not integrating. We now also have the added problem of London gang members coming here and bringing gun crime....can't say I recommend a visit I'm afraid......I do have a lovely home and garden with a large gate to keep the real world out though!
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We sometimes get nuthatches too. So pretty, but shy, never managed to get a good photo.
Topbird, I was born in Ipswich but haven't been back since. We were thinking of going one day. Is it worth a visit? Wonky would know.
Did the weekly shop after this morning's meeting, then went to the GC and bought a Christmas tree.
Tomorrow a friend is coming round to help me make evergreen bunches to decorate the Abbey for Sunday's Carol Service.
We have fairly regular nuthatches - being on the edge of mixed woodland is a help. There was a pair helping themselves to sunflower hearts late in the spring, and flying off with them, presumably feeding babies. Only once seen tree creepers here though... the Calderdale "speciality" is a twite (no comments please!) which looks quite like a chaffinch or linnet. Never knowingly seen one though. I guess you might, though, Fairy - they are found in S & W Scotland as well, my book says.
Dove, it is indeed exciting, but frustrating too - we've made plant lists and applied for a grant, but might not get the money until too late to plant bare-root stuff this year. There's another area of about 50 square metres which is close to the main path, though, so we'll probably buy bigger pot-grown things for there, and be able to plant that bit in spring. Nothing very unusual but a variety of size, colour and texture of shrubs, with some evergreen and some with scented flowers. We can't plant viburnums, lilac, pieris, skimmia & quite a lot of others I can't remember, because they are susceptible to phytophthora. Sarcococca next to the seat for winter scent.
Oh my goodness, that's my favourite bird! You are so lucky, Fairygirl (and hello! I joined Forkers recently). I hadn't seen one for years and years until a brief glimpse on a garden visit this summer. I think if I saw one in my own garden my whoops of joy might frighten it away... It's unlikely here in the 'burbs but my brother has had one - once - nearby.
We are very lucky that they are common in our garden. We are on the edge of a large wood and also have a lot of mature trees in the garden.
I love to watch them on the nut feeder, the way they bash their heads into the nuts, you can certainly tell they are related to Woodpeckers.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Fairy girl , nice pictures
pdoc the woodland is just over the fence from the bird feeder which no doubt helps but I don't think they were common in our area before. We have been in this house over 40 years and it's about five years ago that I first saw them.
Hello too LG.
I was just lucky that he didn't b*gger off while I got the camera! 
According to the RSPB site they're not regularly seen up here, but perhaps they're gradually becoming more common. We have a small National Trust garden close by and there's lots of woodland between it and the houses here. It also says they don't often travel far from where they breed, so there might be a little colony there. Not a lot of oak trees here, but plenty of beech which is a good food source for them. Now that it's come in, I hope it'll keep coming. There's been a big increase in bird numbers and visitors since we moved in here, now that they have a garden with some good cover and habitat, instead of gravel and slabs. It's very satisfying to feel it's making a difference
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Never saw a nuthatch in our Belgian garden and none here either. However, the feeders I've put out are being used by somebody and I look forward to identifying what we have when things have settled down enough and I have more plants and feeders positioned where I can gaze out of windows and identify the wildlife.
Kittens have been steamed. He just lies back and gets comfy while she sits and starts to mew after a few minutes.
OH's birthday lunch was very good and worth the trip. Afterwards we went for stroll to the shore but the Atlantic is still looking like a mill pond whenever we go. One of these days we'll get dramatic waves and clouds.
Evening all
morning Pat,
Beautiful picture Fairy, I surprised myself and said, that's a Nuthatch...scrolled down and I was actually right!
Have to agree with Topbird about Ipswich I'm afraid GWRS, I live within 2 minutes walk from the football ground. I've lived here eighteen years but come from a village 25 miles away where I grew up. Surrounding countryside is lovely! Some lovely buildings in Ipswich also as well as lovely people. Unfortunately there is a real poverty problem, the town has grown too large in number without the jobs to support it, or the infrastructure. there is an incresing problem with homelessness in the town. There is a diverse cultural representation however this is unfortunately not integrating. We now also have the added problem of London gang members coming here and bringing gun crime....can't say I recommend a visit I'm afraid......I do have a lovely home and garden with a large gate to keep the real world out though!
Anyone think I should work for the tourist board?
That's a shame about Ipswich, Wonky. I was hoping to go next year, don't like the thought of gun crime.
Glad OH's birthday lunch was good, Obelixx.
I'm surrounded by mixed forest but Nuthatches only started coming about three years ago.