Hobbies and Crafts

Ann
I've tried many times to photograph the Woodpecker but when you look at the photos it's difficult to pick out the Woodpecker from the grass.
Now I know it's about I will try with another lens to see if I can get a good shot.
I forgot to say I've now got two daffodils in bloom.
Take care
Von

Lucky you Von, pity you didn't have a camera handy. had to laugh at your son though!!

Hi
I think I've failed with the education of my children.
Eldest son who is in temporary residence came to tell me that there was a large green bird with a red head in the garden.
Me---" That will be the woodpecker "
Son ---" But it's on the lawn"
Duh!!!!
Anyway it was a welcome sight digging in the lawn for insects and fascinating to watch.
Take care
Von

Hi
It's such a miserable day weatherwise I think all the birds are hiding and who could blame them.
However on the bright side my first daffodil is in flower at last.
Take care
Von

We did ours on Saturday afternoon a little before it would get dark which we find is another time the feeders are busy when they get their supper before they bed down for the night. It was a beautiful day on Saturday, lovely and sunny but cold so we expeceted to see the usual loads, but it wasa bit quieter for us as well. Still we saw 15 different kinds, just fewer numbers than usual of each. Was excited in the morning - thought we might get a woodpecker as I could see it somewhere around. But it didn't come.

I am bashing up the nuts we have left over from Xmas.Brazils,Almonds and Hazelnuts and mixing them in with the seed.They love it lol
I got a couple of photos of the Moorhen this afternoon as they were so close to the house.But they disappear quickly at the sign of any movement.I don't think the pics are any good for the blog ,but will send you 1 Jude .
The long tailed tits are still around.They are so funny as they stick together like glue.All feed at the same time and all fly away together too.

Evening all:o)

Ann.....yep!!! the woodpigeons are'nt always there at the same time as that many c/doves The other day we had 24 woodies and about 6 c/doves, each day varies but we do get through alot of seed, we buy a big bag now and a big bag of nuts:o)) we buy 2 or 3 pkts of suet and 1 or 2 pkts of sultana's each week, plus some fruit (sometimes) and the occasional meal worms and cheese, digestive biscuits and bread!!!!
The lady nextdoor but one feeds them twice a day, a lady over the road once a day and probably a number of other neighbours....so they do very well here:o))

l do wish we had some Goldfinches:o((

We have a thrush but very rarely.
Thanks for the info from Liz's thread:o)
jude:o)

You are not going to believe this. Last year right at the end (in the last 5 minutes) of the spring bird watch a thrush landed in our garden. Nothing unusual except that we had never seen one in the garden for at least 10 years. This morning, half an hour AFTER we had finished the bird watch, a thrush landed in the garden, and we have not seen one all year. I could not believe it, how strange.

For future reference for birdwatchers. Copied from Liz's bird watch thread.

10 BIRDWATCHING TIPS

1. Set up your feeder or bird table near a window so you can easily see what's going on in the garden.

2. Use the RSPB Top 15 birds and A-Z of birds pages to help you identify the birds you see.

3. Birds are more active first thing in the morning, so by doing your count then you will increase the number you see.

4. Don't worry if you don't record all the birds, just note the ones you can clearly identify.

5. You don't have to have a garden - you can do the count in your local park, or if you're in a flat, put a feeder on your window and count the birds that visit.

6. Only count the highest number of birds you see at any one time.

7. The RSPB counting sheet will help you keep a tally of what you see and the pictures will help with identification.

8. Send your records in online - it's quicker and easy.

9. Try putting out a selection of foods, including peanuts, seeds, fat and kitchen scraps, which will attract different types of birds.

10. The Big Garden Birdwatch is an ideal excuse to take an hour out for yourself - make the most of it: make a cup of tea, get out the biscuits and take the phone off the hook.



WHAT TO WATCH FOR


Blackbird - The male blackbird is black with a bright orange-yellow eye-ring and bill, while the female is brown.


Blue tit - A colourful mix of blue, yellow, white and green make this agile bird one of the most attractive resident garden visitors.


Chaffinch - The UK's second commonest breeding bird, chaffinches are arguably one of the most colourful of our finches.


Collared dove - Distinctive with buffy-pink plumage, black neck collar and long, white tail and with a black base, collared doves are usually seen singly or in pairs.


Dunnock - A small brown and grey bird with a slender beak, dunnocks are easily overlooked as they creep around under bushes in a mouse-like way.


Goldfinch - Goldfinches often feed in small flocks, and its twittering call, red face and black and yellow wings draw attention to it.


Great tit - Great tits are green and yellow with striking glossy black heads, white cheeks and a distinctive two-syllable song.


Greenfinch - The male greenfinch is a green bird with yellow patches on the wings, a forked tail and a stout beak, while the female is browner.


House sparrow - This noisy and gregarious bird is one of our most familiar and is affectionately recognised as being a cheeky and loveable rogue with a promiscuous nature.


Jackdaw - A small and stocky black crow, jackdaws are easy to identify with their grey head and distinctive 'jack jack' call. A social bird, you'll find them in pairs, or larger groups.


Long-tailed tit - The long-tailed tit is easily recognisable with its distinctive black, white and pink colouring, a tail that is bigger than its body, and undulating flight.


Magpie - With its noisy chattering, black and white plumage and long tail, there is nothing else quite like the magpie in the UK.


Robin - With its bright, orange-red breast, brown back and dumpy shape, robins are a familiar garden bird.


Starling - With a short tail, pointed head and triangular wings, a starling looks black at a distance but when seen closer it is very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens.


Woodpigeon - The UK's largest and commonest pigeon is mostly grey, but has distinctive white neck and wing patches that are clearly visible in flight.

Why is it that as soon as a bird watch is mentioned all the birds go on hunger strike??? I chose 9AM to 10AM because there are usually loads of birds in that time. And what is more when the hour is up they all flock back in!!!
Still we had:

4 blackbirds
2 blue tits
2 chaffinches
1 dunnock
3 goldfinches
1 great tit
2 greenfinches
2 robins
2 starlings
2 black caps.

Jude, was that 14 collard doves all in the garden at once? You must get through some seed and ten wood pigeons as well.

Jane.....looking back at your post about the Moorhens, l'm really not sure, had always assumed they lived in the tall grasses etc along the river banks or on the islands, but the hedge could be extra strong and safe for them!!

Your photo is on the blog:o))

jude :o)

Me again:o))

Here's my list......

5 blackbirds.
1 blue tit.
3 chaffinches.
1 coal tit
14 collard doves.
1 dunnock.
1 greenfinch.
4 house parrows.
5 jackdaws.
1 magpie.
3 robins.
3 starlings.
10 woodpigeons.
1 nuthatch.

jude:o)

One that we don't get Jude is the nuthatch.

l dunnit:o)) and what a loverrly show of birds this morning:o)) but it is colder and the snow hindered their usual food supply.Was trying to watch the tennis at the same time:o)) Yep we had snow not much, about half inch or less. At 4.30 this morning it looked much thicker than that, but that was probably the street lights making it look much brighter(waffle waffle..).
We had the nuthatch and a greenfinch, both not seen for ages, although the greenfinch has been seen by Vic more than me. l'll do a proper list later, just going to the rspb site.

jude :o)

All ready for the bird watch? We will be doing it tomorrow I think.

We've had a light dusting of snow overnight. It's cold but it's bright so hopefully a pleasant hour will be had doing the birdwatch over the weekend. Glad we've got huge patio windows to sit inside in the warm though.

Sudely castle Jane, that was some wedding!!! It is a lovely setting I agree. I love Golden pheasants the colours are lovely.

Jean,my Niece had her wedding reception at Sudeley Castle.What a lovely place !

Thanks for the reminder Von - OH and I will set up by the window in a couple of comfy chairs, a cuppa and clipboards and great fun shall be had. Might even put a blanket on our knees... Actually it will be good to be able to sit and watch for a whole hour instead of just a few mins.

We've got more snow falling again. Hope it doesn't settle this time, not doing so far. I thought we'd got away with it but it started on my journey home from work. Our daughter's driving home from Sheffield over the weekend so I hope it's OK for her.