Hobbies and Crafts

Buzzards are mainly found in the south west, think they got killed off in the south where I am cos of pesticides etc..but the RSPB have reintroduced them in this area now. I saw one close up in the wild when I was down in Dorset a while back. It was sitting on a farm gate. Amazing sight.

My Robin that used to come to my window seal for his cheese, was courting and bought his g'friend along too to feed her (part of their courtship thing I believe) but he has stopped coming for his food. OH recons they're probably nesting etc....I remember this happening last year too...surely they still need to eat??

Hi Folks,
The fly past of my two swallows didn't happen today - where have they gone?
Did see a buzzard hunting, but not much happening in the garden - few sparrows, greenfinches, and my regular doves..
Jude.......Yes we are very fortunate in this area for the variety of birdlife.
I think it is because there is such a range of habitat and terrain. The hills and mountains come down to the coast, then there are the broad leafed forests, and conifer plantations. The rivers and streams accommodate other birdlife. So we get the birds that frequent those areas. My best friend, the black lab, takes me for a walk most days, and we usually spot something interesting. Not always a bird - the other day he spotted a pine martin before I did, he dropped like a stone when I signalled him to, and I was able to watch it for some time.
I have yet to see a bullfinch in this area.

Dormouse.........Your trip to the Cotswold Water Park sounds good. Hope you get to hear the nightingale - I've never heard one - despite passing through Berkeley Square many times in my youth!!!

Tec

Tec.....your area sounds lovely:o)) Bet your pleased you have a best friend like your black lab:o)) l don't know what my Vic would do without ours!!

All this week Vic has been keeping aneye on the Mallard chicks, one family has 6 and the other which he found this morning has 11!!! the male was trying to mount the poor female again and again and it was nearly drowning, so Vic threw a pebble in some yds from it , which did the trick and she went bless her, l wonder how long before he catches up with her again.Nature is quite cruel!! :o(( l remember years ago we rescued a female from a river bank, she had a broken back, the vet thinks that was probably due to the male!!! she was put out of her misery poor thing!

Our garden birds are busying themselves else where, the doves and pigeons are still here and a couple of blackbirds and greenfinches,plus a robin and a couple of sparrows.....oh and a couple of jackdaws, which l know is'nt bad:o)

Must go have to go out.

jude :o)
Edit....Whirley, have your robins come back yet. How romantic of him to bring his mate to feed:o) x

*smiles contentedly* we have loads of birds flitting in and out at the moment... I don't put feeders up, cos of the squirrels and of course my cats!! However, I do scatter my seed in the area outside the house... wooded, and part of the very edge of the wetlands here. Mr and mrs blackbird are so brave... they come into the garden all the time, each taking turns to act as sentry!! Then there is the robin... I have a back garden on and a front garden one, and boy is there trouble if they meet around the side, lol.

There are loads of birds I haven't got names for... I just enjoy watching them popping in and out of the garden and flitting from branch to branch in the trees that surround half my garden.... I do know the tree creeper, we have two different pairs of woodpecker... 3 different types of owl... and the crows, bless 'em, the noisy beggars!!

We also have bats around the side, but they don't roost in my house eaves.... they must roost elsewhere.. they only swoop on us occasionally, but they are wonderful to watch.

I love my little patch!!

Love

Daff xxxx

Hi Folks,
Big feast for the birds today.
I turned out a flowerpot that contained a dead plant - discovered about 60 big fat white vine weevil grubs - collected them up and put them on a feeder - two hen chaffinches went into a feeding frenzy - collecting a beakfull, flying off, and returning. I think they must be feeding young.
Unfortunately, the robin didn't turn up, I was rather hoping he would.

Jude....My black Lab is the best. Had dogs all my life, from a deranged, but lovable Jack Russell, to a fabulous old Pyranean Mountain dog from a rescue centre. Mostly we've had labs, and I've loved them all, but I have to say there is something very special about my black lab. Don't think I've ever been so close to, or so in tune with a dog as I am with this one. I swear he reads my mind, and is by my side all day, every day. He is nearly ten now, and starting to show some white under his chin. We are growing older, and sillier together - that's ok.
I know this thread is about birds - so apologies.

Regards
Tec.

Daff........your little patch sounds heavenly : ))

We get bats some years flitting about in the dusk but I haven't seen any for a couple of years now : (

I spotted another swallow yesterday sitting on a phone line in the country side and my OH saw two at the allotments again.

Amanda x

Read this thread but haven't joined in before
Oh I wish I wish I wish you could see my photos !
Sat outside today doing my crossword (as you do..lol)
The Robin flies down into the pond to take his bath. Two feet away I was taking pic after pic, so tame.
Well pleased I am

Maggie

The pics sound fantastic Maggie..........lucky you for being camera in hand at the right moment : )

Amanda...I learnt the hard way..lol. The times I have seen things and not had the camera handy. So now it is stuck with me everywhere I go !

Maggie

Maggie.......I'm getting like that myself these days. I usually take the camera when we go out with the dogs into the countryside or to the beach.
I wish I'd had it by my side in my garden the other day , I could have got some excellent close up pics of Sparrows on my bird feeders .

Aren't digital cameras great : )

Amanda

Maggie, if you mention it to Jude when she is on you could send her the photos for her bird blog, then we could see.

Ann
Glos

Have pm'd you Maggie:o)

jude :o)

Daff.......Your your "little patch" does sound lovely. You don't need to know the names of all the birds to enjoy them. But if you get a book on British Birds, it is fun to identify anything unusual that may visit you. The main thing is just to enjoy watching whatever turns up.

Amanda.......The swallows seem very few and far between so far this year. I've only seen four altogether so far. We get bats on warm summer evenings - but haven't noticed any yet.

Maggie.........Your photo's sound good. I've never got into photographing the birds, but often wish I did. I shall make an effort to start. I have a contact in Australia who sends me the most amazing pictures of birds that visit his garden, including Sulpher Crested Cockatoos. I would be very excited to see one of those on my bird tables - no chance!

Regards
Tec

Thanks to Ann and to Jude and ~~~~~~to everyone

I have emailed Jude with the photos for her blog, so hopefully you will get to see them soon ! Obviously they are not technically brilliant, but it was a spur of the moment thinggy and I just kept snapping..lol

Maggie

Photo's are on the blog now:o))))


jude :o)

I'm off to have a look-see : )

Oh Maggie............they are truly beautiful..........well done you : ))

And your garden looks lovely.

Jude........I'll work out how to comment on there eventually , even with instructions.....lol ( I told you I was dim.........lol ).

Amanda x

Thanks Amanda...right place, right time springs to mind..lol

thanks so much Jude, look forward to seeing more on your blog

I had a song thrush this morning, landed on my fence and was gone in a flash, beautiful though, hope it comes back.

Maggie

Hi everyone,
Hope that you are all OK,

Maggie just seen your pic on blog he loooks as if he was having fun.
Had a few more birds around past couple of days and the Swallows are building up in numbers now we have a bout 6 - 8, Buzzards are not very happy as they keep being chased.

Have a god week-end.

Hi all:o)

Daff....your garden sounds lovely and from what l have seen it looks lovely. Did'nt realise you lived so close to the Wetlands!! You'll have to have bird books bino's at the ready in future we want to know what other birds you have!! lol .....ooo and camera please:o))

Tec...my mother used to breed English Bullterriers, Cockers, and Standard Wire haired dachshounds. My favourites are Bullterriers and one particular dachshound. Our first dog as a married couple was a bully cross named lady:o)), then the one we have now a lab x pointer both so special, but Lady had something extra, daft l know, but l feel guilty saying one was better than the other.....what are we like..lol

Whirley....is your robin back yet?

jude:o)

Edited....ooops sorry Hello Bellblair.

Amanda - l'm sure you not as dim as me.....lol

Maggie - thats ok:o)