Hobbies and Crafts

Hope as many birds as possible survived the freezing temps here last night, there didnt seem as many feeding today. It was -10 overnight.

Lovely to see are'nt they Ann.....l must go to Gigrins again soon:o)

Jane....ours sit up in the tree's waiting, we usually have about this amount, usually more c/doves too and starlings. We just put some chopped ham out.
Could'nt get the rolled meat, will look another day....Vic went shopping, enough said!!! lol

We seem to have HUNDREDS of pidgeons that suddenly take off from either the trees where they all perch or the back field.I have never seen this in all the years we have lived here.
I don't think it is so cold today but the birds are still so hungry and thirsty.They soon find the bird bath when I defrost it.

Driving down the A34 last Wednesday we saw two lots of Red Kites circling over the cars.

Hiya again....
We had 15 or so woodpigeons earlier plus an ordinary one, l thought it was a racer but no ring. Couple of c/doves try to get a look in. Between 4 - 8 blackbirds on and off...they are the first and last to appear each day along with 2 - 3 robins. Loads of tits and c/finches usually but so many today. A thrush was eating the suet earlier.
2 starlings, usually about 15 sparrows but not many today and one dunnock.

Yeh and to you too Dizzie and Linda:o)

jude xx

Afternoon everyone
Merry Christmas and Happy birdspotting too

Been out and refreshed the frozen water earlier
Topped up the sunflowers and peanuts
Crumbled some bread and put down mixed seed

They don't seem interested in the fat balls at the moment.

The woodpigeons only come down for bread too?

Seen Greenfinches , Robin, blackbirds,Wood Pigeon and loads of tits today. Busy garden

Best wishes to all who read

Linda :o) XxX

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year. xxxx

Morning:o)

Thanks for that Elaine. Your name is well suited:o)) Will try and get some today. We have a pet supplies on the ind estate that does some foods cheaper will give them a ring,if l can't get it in shops!

jude :o)

They keep mice in the freezer at our Owlcatraz park and then warm them up in the microwave for the moreporks.
I would hate to think of them dying because of the snow - the barnies are such lovely owls.
How do the Russian Owls get on in the snow? I saw the video clip on Google of them eating a lemming.
My family gave me an owl decoration last Christmas and it is on top of my tree this year - I am going to have to draw up a roster. Last year I had my little Maori girl on the top, the year before a multi-coloured owl from the USA (more the colour of peacocks) and before that there was always an Angel.

Persey on Christmas eve at 10.47pm.

Morning,

Just been out with my mixed seed, niger, sunflower hearts, sultanas and meal worms. A little chilly around the nether regions, as I am in my nightie and dressing gown!

A suggestion for temporary water containers, as my stone bird baths have been frozen solid for a long time now. I am using both halves of a supermarket muffin container. (Yes I know I should be making my own but they jumped into the trolley.) The plastic is so flexible I can just tip out the ice from the previous refill. I now have a pile of oddly shaped ice from many days of tipping it out!

There is a scene from "The Birds" out there now and the blackbirds are having a good drink.

Happy Christmas.
Elisabeth xx

I know it's not a nice thought but kestrels, sparrowhawks and similar birds will be able to feed off the weak and dead smaller birds some will eat carrion but the poor owls will not be able to take advantage as most are nocturnal. However, if you have any diaernal owls day old chicks or mice which you can get at some larger pet shops or even on the net could be put out for them but watch your dog or cat can't get them put them out of their reach. Elaine.

My OH said today that he heard Owls are dying because of the snow on the ground and they can't spot their food.(voles /mice).I often wonder what happened to the Barn Owl that I saw for those few days.
There have been lots of very low flying Red Kites and ? Sparrow Hawks (some kind of Hawk) obviously desperate for food.One of the Hawks I saw today was just hovering above the roof of my car ,and I obviously wasn't putting it off it's meal .It was totally focused on it's prey.

Sorry Jude, just been watching Robert Winston on TV. The meat is Webbox Chubs which is in different flavours but I use the chicken. It is all the parts even bone steamed and the consistency is like a potted meat. It helps the insectiverous birds which at the moment are having a very hard time, but I have yet to meet a bird that won't eat it although the birds of prey such as owls probably would not. I used it for nestlings and fledgelings because even the young of seed eaters eat green caterpillers etc and need first class protein . You will see the finches in the spring gathering bugs for their young. My robins like it so does the wren. It works out very inexpensive compared to tinned dog meat, I think there is about 700grms in a roll for about 45p and there are places you can buy a box of 6 cheaper. Hope this helps our feathered friends. By the way my handle is what I was called by the people in my area. E;aine.

Elaine....what dog meat roll do you buy?? all sounds interesting:o)

jude

Been out bird feed shopping today. Bought dog meat rolls and mixer, the mixer I soak and the birds love it. Easier to get water today as the schools outside tap was not frozen, it's such a bind having to knock off the alarm use my swipe card and remember all the door codes, mind you the birds are worth it. When I rescued sick and injured birds I had a magpie, Jay and Jackdaw all could talk but the jay was the best and he could sing as well Elaine.

Yeh....and the same from me:o))

**~~~A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE ~~~**
**~~~~~~~and a HAPPY A VERY HAPPY 2011~~~~~~~**

AND LONG MAY THIS THREAD CONTINUE...THANKS AnnGloc

JUDE XX

I'd like to wish everyone on the thread a very
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2011.
Long may this thread continue.xx

Thanks Island:o))

AND THE SAME FROM ME TO EVERYONE:O))

Have been doing my reports on birds in garden and on the river banks etc:o)
Vic watched 4 cormorants take off this morning from their fishing trip:o))
A dz or more wagtails on the telephone wires and a Woodpigeon making the most awful noise and flying around in a panic....then a buzzard flew up off the old via duct:o((((

jude
OK Jean

jude

Couldnt get the copy and paste correctly and havent done that, Jude. Will look up Siskin anyway.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS BIRDERS AND GOOD SPOTTINGS FOR 2011