Hobbies and Crafts

Jean...take alook at this site....

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://10000birds.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/siskin-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://10000birds.com/siskins-in-saugerties.htm&h=450&w=600&sz=255&tbnid=8MjWeyJaxdTAPM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsiskins&zoom=1&q=siskins&hl=en&usg=__yL9nNI2L0rUJmtq8-u6pZFWRuHY=&sa=X&ei=uQwRTbOIMoOWhQeNl424Dg&ved=0CCUQ9QEwAQ

jude

Hi Ann, found the thread!!

I think I have identified the birds that we have had in the garden for the last few days. They are Fieldfare and Redwings. Have lots of fallen apples that I always leave on the ground and they are feasting on them. Another unusual visitor considering we only have a bird bath was a grey heron!! We do get lots of different birds, goldfinches, bullfinches, most of the tit family, love the long tailed tits, they are so pretty, but we also have a buzzard that comes regular, but I suppose they all have to eat although I am not happy.
Will keep looking for anything different.
Jo

Can anyone identify some birds which a neighbour saw in her garden? We have both looked in our bird books and cant find them. There was a flock of 10 or 12, black, but smaller than a blackbird, with yellow stripes low down on their wings is what she said to me.

Not been on for a few days as I moved my daughter into her flat in Manchester midweek then while I was there heard that my son in London had gone into hospital. Thankfully intravenous antibiotics and painkillers have worked a minor miracle and I was able to come home. I was able to watch Strictly undisturbed but then next thing was daughter's boyfriend, who had been stranded in France after a week snowboarding of all things, managed to get a flight to Bristol airport so off to collect him for the night and then post him onto a train to Manchester yesterday morning.

Good news on Monday morning was that I saw a redwing in the garden. I've never knowingly seen one before but had an idea what it would be. I checked in our bird book and on the rspb bird identifier, so that was a nice surprise.

Even though we were out early this morning taking OH to the station (he's not driving today as it's his work Christmas do tonight) we didn't get to see the lunar eclipse as it was too cloudy round here. Did anyone else manage to see it?

Elaine Lol!!! Mrs Bird then are you?

Lots of starlings hoovering up some bread and cheese and fruit cake on the cleared bit of lawn. All the usual finches using the seed feeders. Several blackbirds and lots of sparrows and dunnocks this morning.

Thanks for the idea of apples Ann, will have to get some extra for them.

Have had the big numbers of Finches including green and possibly siskins, loads of tits, a robin, several blackbirds, and the Jay is back.

Have put out fats and seeds too. Low on peanuts so if hubby can get out tomorrow that is his job

Really enjoyable watching them to be honest

Linda :o) XxX

If this weather persists I shall be bankrupt. School finished Friday and the last of the sarnies I use to feed the birds finished too. I have been out to stock up on seed for the seed eaters but now I have to buy bread and marg or fat to spread on it. I also buy the rolls of dog meat which works for the others. However, I draw the line at making sarnies with it. We have two gulls I have named scout and solo who watch for me from on high and then tear off to tell all their mates. I have to feed in separate places as the gulls would have all. I thwart them by feeding under the trees in the copse for the smaller birds and on the lawn in tele tubby land for them (kids christened it this as it has big toadstools in it for the kids to play on). The gulls wont go into the copse as they like a clear sky to fly into. Bet the people here abouts wonder who the goon is who whistles and shouts come on then.Elaine

I will wave out next time I go past. Coming back through your area one Christmas Day and I was in need of a coffee and we ended up at the Wild Bean at BP. Our two Tuis come and eat the berries off the Totara. We don't have any flax but they do love the red flowers on the flax - it is one of their favourites (probably a bit like Sherry Trifle to them)

The Chatham Islands Black Robin conservation program did so well they are now either in the process or about to clear all feral pests etc off Pitt Island and establish another Black Robin colony there.

Jane and others if you google Sirocco (our non flying parrot) or even Kakapo I think you will get him - he has his own twitter site etc but there is a video clip on there of the bird with Stephen Fry... I won't tell you the title of the clip - let you find out. Or if you go to www.newzealand.com/.../nature_sirocco-appointed-conservation-spokesbird_press-release.cfm -

Then click on the BBC video entry.

Cheers Persey

Hi Persey,

I haven't tried to talk to the Tui's. I love them visiting my Banksia and Kowhai. . They are quite territorial it seems with 'their' tree, they make a real racket . Will give it a try when they next visit. I have not long planted a tree specifically for the Tui's to feed in - don't ask me the name of it though. Hopefully we will get lots of visits- might take a season or two to produce.

I live in the South Waikato in a well renowned (not always for the right reason's) Timber town, we are surrounded by trees and forest.

Susan

This was in our morning paper with a picture of the nest before with the tern in it and a picture of the burnt out wooden piles (poles) at the wharf.

"A week or so back, some psychopaths set fire to a nest in an old pile at Bayswater wharf," write Russell and Marie. "It was occupied by a family of white-fronted terns (tara). We had been watching them and went to check last weekend and saw the devastation. One of the parents was hovering about so it had not long happened. The newly-hatched chicks had not fledged and the parent was probably staunchly defending the nest. Doubtless this was an irritation to the pricks who did this."

It is so sad that people have nothing better to do.

Persey

Jude try

http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/

Put out by our department of Conservation - go to the different headings across the top - there is all sorts in there.

Persey

No birds yesterday, but back with a vengeance today. Two black caps, loads of blue tits, chaffinches looking very pretty in all their colours, Robin, blackbirds, thrush when the blackbird will let them, sparrows and wagtails.

All the birds seem to be looking for a drink,but as soon as I defrost the bird bath it has frozen again.Lots of squabbles going on too.

Linda
Fieldfare will eat apple so probably redwing will too.

Not seen the fieldfare yet this year. Green finches and goldfinches, blue and Great tits and the odd one coal tit, then sparrows, starlings and backbirds and the robin makes an occasional visit.

edit: forgot all the chaffinches.

Afternoon everyone:o)

Bit blooming cilly here folks. Birds are feeding well, just put some fat out from the mince that l cooked yesterday, l left the juices to settle and the fat formed on the top:o))

Been looking at sites for NZ birds, David Attenborough has a lot, but l'm trying to find one that talks to you and tells you what is what, with proper photo's not drawings.

jude

Do you talk to the Tuis Susan?
I have a couple that come round from time to time when I am hanging out the washing and they will answer you if you whistle at them... the really clever ones copy you and will adopt your accent and mimic set phrases like a parrot.
My father was a bushman (in the days of axe and two man saws - no such thing as chain saws) and he used to do all the bird sounds. He was really good at copying the bellbird and tui.

Persey

Lots of finches and tits again today on the feeders
Have put warm water out a few times today but it just got snowed over.
The redwing, thrushes and fieldfare have stripped the sorbus and pyrocantha berries, I don't think there are any left. They are hanging around but I don't know what else I could put out for them?
The blackbirds have been scrapping too.

Jay not seen today at home

Linda :o) XxX

The Fat balls I have been putting out seem to disappear in a flash!.The Suet Cakes last much longer and the squirrels don't seem to get to them so much.
This morning the Heron flew right over my garden into next doors 'lake'.I haven't seen it for a while.
It is a loosing battle trying to keep the bird bath de-iced lol

Welllll we had 2 bluetits onour fatballs this afternoon.....yesss:o)

Jean...the lady at the report place was pleased to get the info from your garden. Did youread the article in one of our local papers about the Otters??? How they are making a comeback to these parts of Wales....Yesss:o)

jude

It thawed a bit, and we find the birds only come to us when the weather is bad. A few this afternoon, but if it is frosty overnight there will be more tomorrow.