General Chat

ok PP fingers crossed for you. LL

Hello LL, The blackbirds don't often go on a bird table ,they are ground feeders and would probably come for some chopped apple mine like it,but prefer it when I move pots that have insects under or dig a bit of earth over and they look for worms. They also really take advantage of the bird bath, they seem to love a bath! Rosexx

Rose, Thanks for that love. I didn't know blackbirds were ground eaters. I always put a bit of seed and peanuts on ground for Pigeons and Magpies. Although the pigeons have started to come to the table now. Its one of those multi things with two arms to hang nuts, seeds etc, a tray for seeds, or whatever, and a cicular thing with a small dish for water. LL

Goodnight Marion, Have a good time.xx LL

We give our blackbirds finely chopped up cheese and they love it,we put it on top of soil in a plant pot and on the ground.

I knew the blackbirds prefer to eat from the ground but ours is crafty, he waits for the starlings and collared doves to knock stuff off the bird table and I always make sure I put some down for him(them) too. Today I got up and o.h. had been busy outside with his camera, and had left me a message to tell me if by chance I turned on the computer (he added ho ho cos he knows that is the first thing I do!) to look at some pics he had taken. There are six mini videos of the blue tits flying back and forth and feeding babies in the bird box, no doubt he will be out there every morning now before he goes to work to follow their progress and then he will put it all on a disc for me. He also caught the female blackbird attacking the long dry strands of fibre from the old clematis trunk and trying to pull dry bits of plants from my tubs, like a tug of war, she had such a beakful of material for her nest which looks as tho it is being made in the top of the conifer at the bottom of the garden, all well within sight of the patio doors and kitchen window. I have been out and soaked the bottom end of the garden where the sun has passed by so helping the plants that needed a drink and the birds to dig in the soil, will soak further down as the sun moves around. Had to use the hose as both our water butts are empty, hope we get some overnight rain soon to fill them up again. Oh, I just spotted blackbird again eating the bits of bread and cheese I left down for him, have soaked the bread too as it is better for them, I can see him from here if he stays over one side of the garden, which isn't a big one, about 8 fence panels long and four wide, with a hedge at the bottom and then a field. Such a joy to watch all the activity, won't be getting a lot done tho as I will be spending my time at the window. Starlings just turned up too but blackbird flew at him and scared him off lol

Went out and finished watering the whole garden and the blackbird and robin were hovering waiting for me to go inside and as soon as I did they were down digging around in the soil. Garden looks so nice now.

Hello PP and everyone else who has added since last night. Will have to try the cheese, lol. Have been out all day today so just came backonline. PP you mentioned the blackbirds with bits of 'strawlike'?? stuff in their beaks.. I have seen this too, Thought it was a bit late for making nests....surely this isn't what they were doing??? LL

i like wagtails,they were me dads fave.at work theres loads,when my work mates see um they hello harry.i say hello dad,peeps think we gone mad.lol.xxxx

Hello Joy, Are wagtails those little black and white birds normally found at the coast, that fly fast? Or am I confusing em with something else? xx LL

LL well this pair are making a nest for sure, high up in the conifer where they have nested before, so maybe they already had a nest elsewhere, and it was disturbed or cats etc got there and killed the babies, I don't know, no sign of anything nasty here - maybe they changed their minds about the location lol I am sure I saw one blackbird a couple of weeks ago collecting food and flying away, so who knows what has happened. Just glad they are trusting us to let them have their nest here and will continue to put out food for all the birds. I cut o.h.'s hair at the weekend, shaved it off and left it on the grass so not sure if he cleared it up and put it over in the field or in the compost bin, or the birds took it.

PP, PMSL over your hubby's hair. well if we use feathers for pillows, why shouldnt birds use human hair for their nests? xx Also, I noted that your blackbirds seem to like to nest in conifers as did mine when I lived in previous house. LL

there flick there tail alot,pmsl.xxxxxxxxx

PMSL Joy, Well that could be why they are called wagtails Joy *tuts*.xx LL

and we got a woodpecker where i work,a lovely green one.xx

Joy, Thats brilliant!!!! That would be fantastic if I saw one near us. We have a gardened area (mentioned before) where its all grassed and an avenue of trees. All the residents contribute to its upkeep, so even to see one there would be great. Is your workplace near some woods? LLxx

yes theres groups of woods all round where i work.xx

That prob explains it then. lolxx LL

Just checking if I have any replies. lol LL

LL see my thread, I dooon't believe it!