Hobbies and Crafts

Four Red Kites here this morning.I just love to see them.It is strange ,because I hardly see any Buzzards over us and yet my friend who lives just down the lane (maybe a 1/4 of a mile) have the Buzzards but not Kites :-S
I have often wondered why next doors chickens kick up a racket .I think it is when the Kites are flying low overhead.The chickens are safe though as they are in the runs.

Sounds as if they are both territorial then Jane. As you say lovely to see the big birds. :-)

After my last post Ann ..........I have just seen a Buzzard lol.Just the one.

Guess he was reading over your shoulder Jane Lol!!!!

It must have been Ann :-D :-D.Bet I won't see another now for ages here.
My little lonely Moorhen has disappeared.I do hope it wasn't the one I saw crossing the busy main Rd the other week.I have a feeling it was though :-S :-S
Just hung up my last fat filled coconut.I hadn't realized the last one was empty.Poor little birds have been expecting something (but the cupboard was bare) :-(

I am sitting here watching 2 little sparrows through the patio doors.They are only just a few feet away.Busy looking for bits and bobs in amongst the rockery stones.Then along comes Bossy Boots(the Robin)it's a right little Bully :-S trying to chase them off. :-| :-|.But they are tough little cookies and aren't deterred :-D

Crazy Chaffinch?

For several days now I have been watching the crazy and amusing behaviour of a male chaffinch.

He has taken to sitting on the wing mirror of my car - he sings, or chirps loudly, then hops off the wing mirror and ferociously attacks his reflection in the mirror. This behaviour has become more aggressive as the days have passed. He is really giving my wing mirror a hiding.
I am beginning to think I should place a cover over the mirror as I'm sure he's going to hurt himself - and my mirror and drivers door are covered in bird poo :-(.

We have a pair of starlings nesting in the barge boards on the gable end of the house.

Reported in the local paper that the ospreys have returned from Africa to their nest near Porthmadog - the nest is monitored 24/7 by the RSPB.

Tec.

Tec, do you think the chaffinch thinks his reflection is another male muscling in on his pitch? As you say very strange behaviour. Maybe you should cover the mirror up.

Advice please,

Some time ago I had a tree removed from my garden and the guys who did it left me a couple of logs about 12inches long with a diameter of about 10 inches.
I got my friend to drill out the centre leaving a wall about an inch thick, I cut some ply and made a floor, drilled a hold near the top and put some ply on for a roof.( a bird box,ish ) screwed it to an upright post at the end of the garden about a week ago.

Noticed on Sunday and again today a tiny little bird going in and out, whats the chances of it being used as a nest, and would it be ok as a nest box having such thick walls.

Thanks Foggy

Foggy - I think there's every chance a bird would make a nest in the box you've made. I don't think the thickness off the walls would make any difference, except to keep the nest warmer and draught free.

The tiny bird could be a wren - I once had a pair of wrens nest in the saddle of an exercise bike that had been dumped on the yard.

Worth keeping an eye on the box, good luck with it.

Tec.

How big is the entrance hole foggy? The inside would appear to be a good size (10" diameter? It sounds as if either w wren or maybe a blue tit is making its nest there. Let us know if you find out?

Hi Tecwyn and AnninGlos,

The bird has green and blue on it, no nothing about birds, but seen bird boxes at the garden centre and thought I would have a go at making one.

Will post a picture on here, so don't laugh..LOL
I am going to try a get a photo of the bird but it zooms in and out so quick..LOL
Thanks.

Foggy

Some birds will nest anywhere,especially the small garden birds.
Robins are renowned for it.
Dad used to have them every yr, the last pair where in a boxed in outside tap, the weather had loosened the top of it so the took the opportunity. Dad didn't go out in the garden much then, so the weren't disturbed, but it was right outside his kitchen window and he had full view of them building the nest and feeding the chicks

Sounds like a blue tit Foggy.

Sandie, yes Robins will nest in the most odd places. The local garden centre usually has a few flower pots taped off with a 'Quite please robins nest' sign on it.

Hi again,
I have put a photo of my box on the pictures page and when I get a photo of the bird I will put that up as well.

Hello Foggy :-D :-D

Hello Jane, how's you today.?

Very artistic Foggy,


nicely done

Bob

Fine thanks Foggy.All the better for seeing you on Saturday.Loved that spoon :-D
Will have a look at your box now.Just staring to pour here now.I wonder if the snow will reach us :-S

Oh you clever thing.That is a posh box.The Blue Tits will think they have a 5 star home :-D :-D