Mice! Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 I've seen magpies and crows taking young birds, blackbirds for instance just seem to stand there waiting for something to take them, same with sparrow hawks, we get the odd strike and I've been lucky enough to be at the window a few times. We've got 3 or 4 pairs of blackbirds in the garden at the moment and at least one pair of thrushes, never seem to see any thrush chicks though? Just about got to the point we could do with some rain now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pux Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 My bird table is out in the front garden, its always busy with birds. I have fat balls hanging off either side of it to. My only problem at the moment is a Rat that i have caught a pic of on my stalker camera helping himself to a meal each night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 2 hours ago, Mice! said: Thought it was strange 😊 I can understand them taking chicks and smaller birds, just didn't imagine them taking on a blackbird. I was actually in my cave down the garden at the time, just looking out over next doors hedge when all of a sudden a load of feather and squawking appeared, looking over the fence was the Blackbird with the Sparrowhawk on it. I see them now and again darting through the trees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatureBoy Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 Just heard from one of the farmers/real conservationists that first turtle dove back our way and on the feed. 😉 Hope this season as good as/better than last for them. Happy Days! NB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samboy Posted May 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 The birds have turned up and are eating me out of house and home. Pigeons, Starlings, Sparrows. Nothing else. Have not seen any Squirrels trying to have a feed up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 55 minutes ago, samboy said: The birds have turned up and are eating me out of house and home. Pigeons, Starlings, Sparrows. Nothing else. Have not seen any Squirrels trying to have a feed up. Pigeons and starlings are a pain in the neck on my bird feeders. The squirrel proof type (as well as being fairly squirrel 'resistant') stop pigeons, but starlings are still a problem on any 'fay based' food, but don't seem to bother with seed or nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 On 20/04/2020 at 15:32, NatureBoy said: Just heard from one of the farmers/real conservationists that first turtle dove back our way and on the feed. 😉 Hope this season as good as/better than last for them. Happy Days! NB Real happy days hopefully? Starlings raiding my rat/squirrel feeder all of the time. To the op, personally think to move the table a yard closer to the hedge would help, probably feeling too exposed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 My feeders are practically in amongst the foliage now, the smaller birds dart in and out at will with plenty of cover. About a metre from the patio 😊 everyone is on feline and magpie watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 6 minutes ago, Mice! said: My feeders are practically in amongst the foliage now, the smaller birds dart in and out at will with plenty of cover. About a metre from the patio 😊 everyone is on feline and magpie watch. Fantastic K In our buddleia we have woodies nesting in the upper part and not a foot below them in the well protected crook are a couple of wrens, well that what me and mrs 7days think they are, I try and get some pics as they come out onto the lawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 29 minutes ago, 7daysinaweek said: Fantastic K In our buddleia we have woodies nesting in the upper part and not a foot below them in the well protected crook are a couple of wrens, well that what me and mrs 7days think they are, I try and get some pics as they come out onto the lawn. If your 'wrens' go on the lawn they may be hedge sparrows. It is not like wrens to land on the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 41 minutes ago, 7daysinaweek said: Fantastic K In our buddleia we have woodies nesting in the upper part and not a foot below them in the well protected crook are a couple of wrens, well that what me and mrs 7days think they are, I try and get some pics as they come out onto the lawn. What's funny is the kids have got tadpoles in two tubs right by the tree with the nest, we obviously haven't bothered them 👍 11 minutes ago, JDog said: If your 'wrens' go on the lawn they may be hedge sparrows. It is not like wrens to land on the ground. You've got me thinking now JD, I think the chicks are dunnock in my picture but we do get wrens amongst the pots and bushes, but I'm trying to think if I ever see them on the ground?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 16 minutes ago, JDog said: If your 'wrens' go on the lawn they may be hedge sparrows. It is not like wrens to land on the ground. I will try and get some pictures JD, we usually see them flitting from fence to fence ,it is in the last two weeks or so that we have noticed them on the lawn. One is always hopping behind the other by about a metre (social distancing ) looks like they are courting but I could be incorrect. I have just looked up some pictures of hedge sparrows and I suspect you may are correct. @Mice! Fascinating! I bet the kids are checking on them every day? Did you get a frost in the last few nights as I know we have had some cold nights, if you have had I would not have thought it would have harmed your taddies though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 It's been nippy but I haven't seen any frost, a magpie was eating the tadpoles in the lads tub, so there now both covered when not being fed or poked at 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51/50 Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 (edited) I made a bird table & a hanging feeding station for the window sill of my gf's 1st floor flat,the flats are 15yds away from a wood,there's sparrows,chaffinches & a variety of tits on it constantly,a woodpecker also visits frequently but is very flighty,if it spots any movement through the window it's off,these are all great entertainment but the star of the show is 'Tyson' the red squirrel,we've named him Tyson because a second smaller squirrel appeared on the scene & Tyson was having none of it,a fight ensued & we saw Tyson deal the smaller squirrel a left jab followed by a swift right hook,it was bloody hilarious! 🤣,the smaller squirrel only now appears when it knows Tyson isn't around,i had to devise a bird-proof squirrel feeder for the table to prevent the birds from emptying the squirrels nut jar,Tyson destroyed the first self closing plastic lid i made so i have since devised another,i've also had to put bird spikes on top of the wood that the bird feeders hang from because the goddamned crows homed in on it & were managing to unhook the feeders so they'd fall to the ground,unreal! Meet Tyson,he there at least 3 times per day & often for a half hour or so... 🙂 Greater Spotted or Lesser Spotted?,i reckon Greater Spotted but happy to be corrected,poor quality pic,zoomed in from a phone The squirrels have to run across the grass & up the flat wall to get to the table,my next mission is to make a rope bridge for them. Edited May 13, 2020 by 51/50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 53 minutes ago, 51/50 said: The squirrels have to run across the grass & up the flat wall to get to the table,my next mission is to make a rope bridge for them. Very jealous, I get plenty of birds but I don't get red squirrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 Great spotted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 We have great spotted and green woodpeckers feeding off the sunflower hearts. I also have rats taking the peanuts off the squirrel table. Fortunately it has been built with a backstop. Amazing how much enjoyment you can get from feeding a few wild birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redial Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 On 20/04/2020 at 14:08, pux said: My bird table is out in the front garden, its always busy with birds. I have fat balls hanging off either side of it to. My only problem at the moment is a Rat that i have caught a pic of on my stalker camera helping himself to a meal each night! I had the same problem with rat issue, it turned into a family of the blighters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 8 hours ago, samboy said: The birds have turned up and are eating me out of house and home. Pigeons, Starlings, Sparrows. Nothing else. Have not seen any Squirrels trying to have a feed up. Do you have a Home Bargains near you ? If so a 50 tub of fat balls £3.99 and a large bag of seed is £3.99 also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 I put some mealworms out that I had soaked in water. Unfortunately the dominant blackbird in the garden (he is noticeable as he some white flashes on his wings - and before any smart **** says it no it isn’t a magpie) scoffs the lot and chases any other birds away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samboy Posted May 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 29 minutes ago, billytheghillie said: Do you have a Home Bargains near you ? If so a 50 tub of fat balls £3.99 and a large bag of seed is £3.99 also. Got a B&M which do cheap stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 40 minutes ago, AVB said: I put some mealworms out that I had soaked in water. Unfortunately the dominant blackbird in the garden (he is noticeable as he some white flashes on his wings - and before any smart **** says it no it isn’t a magpie) scoffs the lot and chases any other birds away. Your making it too easy, put out another lot of meal worms 👍 happy to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted May 14, 2020 Report Share Posted May 14, 2020 The feeders in my garden. 7 in total, although the jackdaws, Starlings and Magpies have emptied the peanut and meal worm feeders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted May 15, 2020 Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 So this is strange, wife tells me the chicks were still there this morning but this afternoon no chicks and one new egg? I wouldn't have thought they were ready to fledge but can't see them having been predated and the female having layed again so soon? @NatureBoy any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted May 15, 2020 Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 10 minutes ago, Mice! said: So this is strange, wife tells me the chicks were still there this morning but this afternoon no chicks and one new egg? I wouldn't have thought they were ready to fledge but can't see them having been predated and the female having layed again so soon? @NatureBoy any ideas? The chicks may have fledged or been predated. As for the egg, it may have been there all along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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