General Chat

I have a pair of Jackdaws who regularly feed on the bird table and sit on my chimney. I was gutted to see there was only one when I came home from hospital and was convinced it's mate had died. But, oh joy!!! It's mate is nesting in the chimney pot. I estimate it will be about another 3 weeks before they fledge, can't wait.

We had a fantail fly into the house yesterday. The cat had been sleeping on the settee, but she leapt down and ran towards the window where the fantail was. I grabbed the cat before she jumped up and put her out while my OH managed to get the fantail and take it outside.
About a month ago we had 22 Martin swallows on our tv aerial and clothes line. OH was not too thrilled when he washed the car and left it out to dry. He had to keep washing parts of it. They seem to have moved on now. We have grey warblers (Riroriro) who are used as surrogate mums by the shining cuckoos, Tuis (beautiful singers), the occasional bellbird, Aust. Harrier hawks, starlings, blackbirds, occasionally see a thrush, various finches, native wood pidgeon, paradise ducks fly over, sparrows, hedge sparrows. I wonder what I have forgotten? Yes the Aussie magpie, not so many lately. Indian Mynah. We have an acre of land out in the country with native bush nearby, so it is a good place for birds. The sparrows are not interested in the bread I tried putting out, too much other food for them. Anyway it is not a good idea to feed the birds, so I have been told.
Huia (an extinct native bird)

As I said on Harry's thread earlier I have two Jays nesting in the lime tree outside my front window, in the Ivy.

This afternoon I was at work and took 5 mins to get some *fresh air* lol, and stood at the back of the warehouse and watched a wonderful display from a kestrel close to me, can't have been more that 15ft away, who caugh a shrew right there in front of me. Made my day it did.

There are chiffchaffs and blackcaps here now, have seen a housemartin or two but not many.

When I was in Mazzaronn in December I heard an eagle owl almost every night. This could be your bird as they will take snakes etc. I know they take my friends chicks at times.Elaine.

Chiffchaffs are back and two weeks ago saw masses of sand martins and a buzzard but not many swallows or house martins just the odd ones. I cannot wait for the swifts to return, then it really will be summer. Elaine.

Nudge
Hilary.

I was amazed a few weeks ago, to see a pheasant strutting around our back garden. Not the sort of thing one usually sees in Bexleyheath! Unfortunately lurking in the background was a rather handsome fox. Heart in mouth, I watched (and took some photographs from the kitchen window). The fox was eyeing the completely oblivious pheasant, and I honestly thought there was going to be a bloodbath. Fortunately as the fox crept forward the pheasant took flight and escaped. A huge sigh of relief from yours truly! I have enjoyed watching a family of young sparrows taking dust baths in the patch of flower bed that is not yet planted up, and seeing all sorts of birds enjoying a drink and a dip in our new bird bath. The crows empty it out very quickly with their splashing, but I get cross with them (and the magpies) for taking the newts and the occasional frog from the ponds. Also whole groups of sparrows crowd around the edges of the bird bath bathing and taking refreshment. We also get wood pigeons and collared doves...lots of blue tits and a very territorial male robin! Blackbirds nested in our holly bushes this year (I think - as I found tiny blue/brown mottled eggshells underneath it - I assume they were blackbird eggs). We used to get greenfinches and thrushes, but for some reason I haven't seen any in years. Even the dozens of starlings who used to congregateand roost in the street trees every evening, seem to have disappeared. We do get parakeets...apparently a pair escaped some years ago from captivity, and colonies of them have thrived locally, and if I am lucky I sometimes see the quick flash of a tiny wren disappearing into the garden shrubs. Dee x

You're welcome, Woody :-)

Ive got a pair of blackbirds nesting in the garden usually have blue tits but none this year Ive also got someones pet rat must have escaped from somewhere, its really cute and friendly, spotted it last year poking its nose under our fence it looked so thin ive been feeding it since Also have a field mouse living in the garage

Well, this is the exception to my comment about threads being deleted! Glad to see this back again - thanks Joy! I usually have loads of birds (especially blackbirds) in the garden but alas, so far this year, not the usual residents. There is an empty site with loads of trees close by so looks like this is 'home' this year - they still dine in our garden though! I do have a cat - she is deaf and makes so much noise that the birds 'laugh' at her - she always leaves hair on the cat-flap, the birds peck at this and it is obviously the lining for a few nests!

Seen many birds in the garden lately, Harry?

I recently posted this on another thread, but I think it can stand a repeat! I have a nestbox full of bluetits which I am waiting to fledge. Hubby is hoping they'll hold out till the weekend! I also have a family of coaltits feeding from our feeders in the trees. The parents are still feeding the babies periodically - it's magical to watch. Angela

I have 3 families of chaffinches, god knows how many sparrow families, 2 blackbird families and some blue tits. They are so sweet following the parent and watching every move. The sparrows are the most entertaining, so funny. Tina x

Did you know that robins like to eat pizza crust?

In case you are looking in, Harry - there have been a lot more sparrows on the bird table the last few days. Happy days .....

Quite common around lakes and reservoirs Joy, pied wagtails tend to be seen more often around buildings and wasteground. Yellow wagtails are slightly larger. There is also a grey wagtail, very similar to the Yellow, but less common.

Hi All, We have been fascinated watching a Woodpecker busy on our tree... He was really loud until he got through to the softer inside of the tree... He has made a big pile of wood chips on the ground,good for mulching... We also have a pair of Coal Tits that are making a nest in the first hole the Woodpecker started.. Will post more later. Mea.

I've seen loads of yellow wagtails, fascinating little birds. Mostly around Abberton Reservoir near Colchester Essex Wildlife Trust reserve, which I used to visit when I lived down that way.

Really, Teresa? I'd seen plenty of pied wagtails before but not a yellow one ... :-)

Harry - I was looking at a bird watch magazine the other day, and read an article about a yellow wagtail - I've not seen one of those before, have you?