Hobbies and Crafts

A dark wet day here today, not much activity around although I did spot a solitary Magpie on the garden wall, not seen them about for a long time.

Surprised you still have the ra** about Jane, they must like your bird food a lot!!

How is your daughter coping Ann. I often think of her and hope she has friends near.

Breads a no no then Jane.

Kandj daughter is coping quite well andtrying to make a social life for herself. She also goes walking a bit on her own. She is coming down for three days next week.

We seem to be getting a lot of Goldfinches again. Only three out there at the moment but yesterday there were five feeding and three in the tree. Strange how they change their habits. Not quite so many Great and Blue Tits at the moment though but still three or four blackbirds.

Well, I was going to make a comment, but ........

Ditto to Ann !!!!!

I was quite excited to see the Goldfinches, they were amongst the Sparrows so I was wondering what the colour was that I kept seeing.

M.

Wonder where they have all come from suddenly Maryanna? wonder if their natural food has suddenly dried up?

I have heard that the number of goldfinches is on the up. There did seem to be a lot around last year.

I see that there are a few snowdrops about now. It must be spring. :-)

Thank goodness, love Spring and that 'going forward' feeling. :-)

I've just seen a kingfisher. :-)

It's a bit drizzly out today. It was nice and bright when I got up. What happened? :-S

Very cold rain here now, bitterly cold out. Had the Goldfinches in earlier but gone now.

Graham you are lucky. Do you know I have never seen a Kingfisher and would love to.

I see kingfishers here quite often. :-) They fly ever so fast. So sometimes all you see is a blue blur flashing past. Other times I have seen one perched in a tree gazing at the canal.

I've got to go to work in a minute. I think I'm going to get wet. :-(

Don't envy you then Graham, wrap up well it is very cold. :-)

I saw my first kingfisher many years ago at Lydford Gorge. OH and I walked as far as was allowed but most people turned back before the last quarter mile so we were on our own. We stayed very still and quiet and for quite a few minutes watched a kingfisher diving into the water for his dinner. It was magical and, though I have seen a few since, nothing has ever quite matched that experience.

Still not much in the garden except the persistent starlings. We did have a goldfinch on the Niger seeds a couple of days ago but he was on his own and we haven't seen him since. I removed a fat cake thing that was going mouldy but it's barely been touched and I put up a home made one that usually disappears very quickly, and I filled the seed feeders but I think the birds are all sheltering today from the rain and wind. It's horrid outside :-(

that does sound magical Vera.

Very windy today, quite a bit of sun but also rain and hail.

OH counted 10 Goldfinches round the feeders this morning. Trouble is they can't all get on so spend more time squabbling than eating. :-D

Lydford Gorge is lovely.I have been there several times .Did you walk the plank to the Devils Cauldron Vera?( I think that is what it is called)
I have only seen a Kingfisher a couple of times.One sitting on a branch at the side of a river and the other time was just a glimpse as one flew over a stream.I hadn't realised how small they are.!!!
Still busy here with all sorts on the window feeder.It never stops.My Sister who has been staying here for the weekend said she thought we had a Dunnock on the feeder.I thought it was a Sparrow.She may well be right :-D

I think a Dunnock has apointed beak while a sparrows beak is a bit more like a finch.

I will have a look in my bird book Ann at the Sparrow and Dunnock so I know what I am looking for.

I have just had a message from Kandj.
She has asked me to let you all know she may not be posting at the moment as her dear OH is not so well again . :-(

Hopefully it won't be long before you are back with us again Kandj <3 <3

Kandj <3 :-S <3

Thinking of you and your OH Kandji. <3 <3 <3

http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/schoolswatch/schoolbirds/tellingbirdsapart/sparrows.aspx

Can anyone identify an interesting pheasant type bird that has taken up residence in my garden?

At a distance it appears to be black with bright red patches around, and beneath the eye.
On closer inspection it has a beautiful green/blue sheen especially on the neck and wings.
The beak is a cream colour.

This bird is not panicked by my presence, just watches me from a distance.

We have had ordinary cock pheasants in the garden, but they always take off as soon as anyone appears. The bird is heavier than the normal pheasant.

I am wondering if this bird has escaped from somebody's collection.

Tec