Hobbies and Crafts

We don't seem to have nearly as many starlings as we used to. However, the ones that fly in for the winter may not be here yet, or may have been blown off course by the gales, storms and strong winds. We will see what winter brings. :-) :-)

I read that starlings are on the decline and are now on the British bird critical list:-(

Jane the bird feeder arrived on Saturday two days after we saw uncle:-( never mind I'll give it to him when we see him a week Thursday :-)

Lesley x

Jane, I don't think you will miss the common starlings when you have red kite, heron and the Twit Twooing Owl........ lucky you! Sounds amazing!

One bird we don't have here is the Starling.I don't know why.I just remember one year when we had hundreds that used to fly in at night and roost in the conifers.The noise of their chatter was incredible.
My Sister in Tewkesbury has loads of them.
We have heard an Owl (maybe more) the last few nights , around 6pm Twit Twooing very close to the house
:-D

Wet and quite miserable here in Yorkshire as it is already quite dark and only early afternoon. Not a lot of activity around so perhaps the birds are happy sheltering and keeping out of the steady downpour.

What we have noticed lately is that loads of starlings swoop down and have a great feast usually around late afternoon.... I wonder if they have built in time clocks??

It worked a treat then :-D
I saw the Heron fly past my bedroom window early this morning.Obviously on route to find some breakfast.We used to have a fish pond with Koi ,and the heron was a very frequent visitor :-S.It is filled in now :-D.My Neighbours a couple of doors down have a wire grill over their pond as they lost so many fish.
Yes the birds have been feeding like crazy again .It's costing me a blooming bomb keeping the window feeder filled .Maybe the birds know we are in for some cold weather.
Did your feeder arrive?

Jane my MOG bought me a bottle of Fountain the Hyaluronic Molecule and I didn't know whether to pleased or insulted :-S MotownGal put it to me if I woke looking like Isabella Rossellini would I complain.............hey presto...........just like that, Fountain worked a miracle :-D :-D :-D

Oh dear a hungry Heron's not everyone's friend especially the people that have a pond with fish in.

Our robins have very busy busy busy this morning eating, drink, bathing.

Lesley x

No ice here today but pretty chilly.Luv the new pic Lesley :-D ;-)
We had a Heron land in the garden this afternoon.It looked a little lost lol but hung around for a while until I opened the back door and stepped outside and then it took off.

I didn't look but I don't think there was ice here.

Did anyone else have to clear a thin layer of ice from their birds water this morning, or was it just Essex that was blinking cold:-(

The new look Lesley x :-D :-D :-D

Can't you see I am using the Ipad. Which can't spell. I meant of course 'those'.

:-D :-D Ann.

Ah,myhose, yes I use them already. Thaks Jane. I was looking for sticks lol!

Hi Ann :-D
They are called Suet Pellets (it's just me who calls then fat sticks lol) My birds love the Berry flavour ,but there are others.There are various different makes .I know the RSPB do them but you will find them in any pet shop or Garden Centre.I pay £2.25 for a 'pouch' But the birds go through it so fast it is better to buy a bag(I think I had a 3Kilo) works out cheaper and lasts much longer :-D
I'm sure you will find them. :-D

Jane, maybe I am looking for the wrong thing but I searched the bird food section at our garden centre and couldn't see anything called fat sticks. Who makes them please?

Red Kites are quite common here Lesley.Just in the last few years.They are just wonderful to see,especially when they fly low.
I have just filled up the window feeder AGAIN.

Jane I have ordered a window feeder, hopefully it will be here by Thursday when I will be seeing MOG's uncle.

Can't say I have ever seen a red kite.........we don't get them in Essex :-( :-)

Lesley x

Lesley.That is the one I have.It can be a bit awkward putting the food in because of the little roof.I do mine from outside as the feeder is on a window what doesn't open.Yes your Uncle will make a mess lol.But he will have many hours of enjoyment watching the different birds that visit .Mine has been crazy again late this afternoon.The birds were actually batting each other off it :-S

We had a Red Kite here this morning and it was just about the level of our roof.The colour of it was spectacular.I was so red.
Does the Kite get redder at this time of year?(LIke a winter plumage?)

Jane the feeders I have looked are on the RSPB site http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/window-bird-feeder.html and http://www.birdfeedingstation.com/window-bird-feeder-incfbh.html
I thought it looked as though uncle could just fill the tray at the bottom of this type of feeder, as for washing it he probably never would anyway :-D :-D :-D the mess I can imagine would be made by uncle on his indoor windowsill, not the birds on the outside sill ;-) :-D

Lesley x

Lesley .He would love a window feeder .But I don't see how he could fill it up from indoors.Plus it is held on by suckers and to get it off by leaning out would be nigh on impossible I reckon.I might be wrong though.
When you mention 'mess' ,do you mean bird poop or the food? I haven't had one bit of poop on my windowsill :-D.The birds just come and get their bit of food and then fly off.They might have a little peek through the window but then they are off.
I have to say I really love my feeder even though I am a spring chicken and am lucky enough to get out and about .I do know know several elderly folk who have these window feeders and it just makes their day :-D :-D