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What kind of birds have you seen in your garden today?

The RSPB had their annual Bird Watch Survey last week-end and we have 6 assorted bird feeders set up in our garden. We really enjoyed looking at all of the birds coming into our garden and identifying them although it was a bit hard to keep track as they fly in and out so swiftly! We have loads of Blue tits, Coal tits, Great tits and also the lovely Long-tailed tits. Today I spotted a small flock of Long-tailed tits which seem to be enjoying the suet ball feeders. They seem to make an appearance during the winter months and then disappear.


Created By on 08/02/2016

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[deleted]
9th Feb 2016 17:18:20 (Last activity: 15th Jul 2018 09:58:34)
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[deleted]
Response from Terrysoldgal Original Poster made on 9th Feb 2016 21:04:34
I also have mixed feelings about the sparrow hawk that visits our garden but we have been lucky and I have only seen her take a bird two times. Once it was a green finch off our feeder and the other time she landed on a stock dove that was visiting our garden. She killed it right on the lawn by the summer house and afterward she managed to lift it off the grass in her talons and fly away with it. It is some consolation to know that the sparrow hawk is hunting in order to survive, it just would be nice if she did it somewhere else.
Response from ColinM1 made on 15th Jul 2018 09:58:34
I live in rural Perthshire and enjoy watching sparrows , starlings , wood pigeons and a regular visit from a cock pheasant and his entourage ( 3 females ) ! Sparrow hawk killed one of the pigeons . Visits periodically and other birds very wary . Blackbirds raised two broods this spring - very friendly . My in laws who lived close by a number of years back and had a semi permanent guest on the garage roof - a capercaillie . Aggressive birds but haven't seen any for a long time ! We are red squirrell country and always welcome in the feeder .
Newport photo man
7th Dec 2016 15:47:44
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sparrows, black birds, and blue tits, along with something that looks like a large robin that can feed from the bird feeder (better at perching than the sparrows). Any ideas what this might be?
Frankie H
6th Nov 2016 21:25:30
1
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At breakfast this morning the birds that visited my table were :
Nuthatches , tits , bullfinch , dunnock and a wood pigeon .
There is a naughty squirrel who keeps stealing the food I put out .

Has anyone any tips on attracting a wider variety of birds ?
ArchieUK
24th Oct 2016 09:39:33
2
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I used to feed the birds but the tree rats (squirrels) put a end to that by raiding the feeders.
Can i suggest something I have done for a few years.
From March on wards empty your vacuum cleaner in a corner where you can see, what is rubbish to you is nest lining to the birds.
When you have first mowings of the year leave the grass box off let the cuttings go on the ground and the birds can take them for there nests.
RosemaryJane
5th Oct 2016 18:52:13
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Thanks for the advice; I'll try soaking them.
I'm not putting too many out each day because they're a bit like gold-dust.
Nyger seeds are the same - so expensive.

My old Mum would turn in her grave if she knew how much I spent - she could probably have kept our family of 7 on it for a week.

Oh well ....... the birds of worth it. Uplifting to watch, and to hear especially in the spring.
RosemaryJane
3rd Oct 2016 16:52:03 (Last activity: 3rd Oct 2016 18:08:55)
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I just bought a bag of mealworms, said to encourage small birds into the garden; I know I should have asked this question before parting with my £12.99, but do any of you rate it? Or is it a bit of a waste of money?

I think a sparrowhawk might have rushed through this afternoon, certainly the birds took panic and scattered prompt.
Response from Terrysoldgal Original Poster made on 3rd Oct 2016 18:08:55
My experience with the dried meal worms is that they seem to be more popular in the spring when the parents are feeding their chicks and especially with the early springs and shortage of caterpillars. I know it sounds bit disgusting but I used to soak a few of them in water for a short while before putting them on the bird table and this seemed to encourage them to be taken. I tend not to use the meal worms but have noticed them in my robin bird food mix and they always seem to disappear so you might try adding some in with other seed.
RosemaryJane
1st Oct 2016 16:17:54
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1st Oct, and things are beginning to pick up ........ green woodpecker early in the morning, and lots of flitty birds visiting the feeding station (blue, great and coal tits, nuthatch, robins). A couple of wood pigeons and a pair of collared doves - gentle birds.
Downside of actively feeding the birds are the number of magpies and feral pigeons. Greedy all of them - and costly.

We've also see a jay a couple of times recently, having woodland close by obviously helps.
Terrysoldgal Original Poster
13th Sep 2016 17:17:15
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We have had a sparrow hawk visit us twice in the last week. It is lovely to see her flying up and swooping down through the trees.

I have been feeding a lady pheasant that has been visiting our rear garden every afternoon for the past few weeks. When I shake the seed in a plastic container she comes running up and seems so delighted to see me. Probably the food more likely 🙂
susanrushton
17th Jul 2016 07:10:12 (Last activity: 18th Jul 2016 13:27:30)
2
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We are really lucky. We have lots of blue tits, swallows, goldfinches , pied wagtail, moorhens and an occasional woodpecker! We also have two mallard ducks that visit every year and sit by the back door waiting to be fed corn. It does cost a fortune though especially as we are overrun by squirrels that nab everything if possible.
Response from dottydiva made on 18th Jul 2016 13:27:30
Yes, squirrels and I am overrun with the crows, jackdaws and magpie's this year. Its has put off alot of my little visitors including my nuthatches and woodpeckers. I am wondering if anyone has used the cages to cover ground feeder's helping to prevent the bigger birds complete takeover?
dottydiva
17th Jul 2016 01:17:13
1
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Like many of us I feed the birds, but it aint 2pence a bag anymore, lol. I have a sparrow hawk that visited today and stayed long enough for me to get some picture's, but he caught a sparrow. They are beautiful birds and have to live and feed young, but it is gross. Wish I lived in disney land, lol.
Terrysoldgal Original Poster
12th May 2016 08:13:57
1
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Saw a flock of busy starlings in our rear garden yesterday including several lighter brown chicks being fed worms and grubs by their darker speckled parents. It was just all go.
We haven't spotted our resident sparrow hawk for a while.
Bluesman1955
7th May 2016 22:22:04 (Last activity: 11th May 2016 21:50:28)
1
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Pigeons and sparrows
Response from Seaside woman made on 11th May 2016 21:50:28
Lots of sparrows and starlings on the feeder every day. Blackbirds like mealworms on the path! Quite a lot of blue tits and great tits coming and going. Had long tailed tits a few weeks ago but not seen them since. I have a robin that seems to be resident. Also get collared doves and very fat wood pigeons every day! My most exciting visitor was a sparrowhawk last year which swooped in and snatched a sparrow in midair while my grandson and I watched open mouthed! Can't wait for spring watch!
Lytham lucky
9th May 2016 19:45:01
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Living on the sea front we only see seagulls and pidgins. We are totally against visitors that bring bags full of crumbs and feed the birds and ducks even standing next to the signs telling you not too.
Terrysoldgal Original Poster
8th May 2016 11:46:29
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We are delighted to report we spotted our first chick of 2016. It was a lovely blue tit chick near our sunflower seed heart feeder. It was flapping its wings and was fed by its parent. So lovely.
Ethel80
7th May 2016 20:17:29
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We still have some long tailed tits
Goldfynche
23rd Apr 2016 21:41:37 (Last activity: 7th May 2016 18:59:51)
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We had a sad event with the nesting Blackbirds in our back hedge. One of the pups found a poor fledgling that must have fallen out of the nest. It must have happened during the night, as it was stone cold dead by the morning when we found it.
We believe that there's a Dunnocks nest, a little further down in the same hedge. Lots of to'ing & fro'ing and chirping!
Response from Terrysoldgal Original Poster made on 7th May 2016 18:59:51
It is so sad when local nesting birds don't survive for one reason or another. I hope that the other fledglings survived?
Sd
28th Apr 2016 14:47:01 (Last activity: 7th May 2016 18:52:55)
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We have thrush nesting in the garden this year for the first time. They are so beautiful I can't stop watching them.
Response from Terrysoldgal Original Poster made on 7th May 2016 18:52:55
I always feel it is a special treat to see a thrush and I hope that yours are successful in rearing chicks. I have never seen a thrush fledgling or chick before but they must look delightful.
Terrysoldgal Original Poster
7th May 2016 18:50:37
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We have quite a few dunnocks living near the hedge and although they are understated in their appearance it is lovely to see them flitting about. We had a couple of blue tits going into our nesting box but I think it would still be a bit too early for success with only a few caterpillars and insects about. I am looking forward to reports of any sightings of fledglings or chicks.
Gabbybird
27th Mar 2016 03:09:20
1
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Here in Kansas,USA, We have Cardinals, Blue Jays, Titmouse's, Sparrows, Wrens, Robins, and we also have a flock of wild Turkeys that wonder through quite often. We live in the country so we have lots of wild animals around, like deer, raccoon, skunks, rabbits, and coyotes.
Goldfynche
24th Mar 2016 14:39:29
2
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Apart from the blackbirds nest building in our back hedge, we have a robin, a pair of Dunnocks plus blue/great tits and house sparrows. A very occasional chaffinch. Apart from those, my tally is a little disappointing! We do however get the occasional Raven in the Crags, a wooded hillside next to the town and always owls at night.
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