Birdies & Critters

[CarolB was MNKB]

It i have done this right this should be a new section on our feathered friends.

Shaun our Blue Tits are doing well, we can hear all the babies tweeting away.
At the front of our house in a little alcove where we keep the dustbins hidden. We have swallows nesting on too of the light!

And Sparrows maybe in decline here but in Italy they work me early every morning. 4AM aaaarrrrgh

[roseg]

I've got a colony of sparrows in my bushes in the front garden/jungle.  They shriek morning and evening, and get through an awful lot of bird seed.  The blackbirds (nesting safely in the mahonia) and pigeons (in large viburnum tinus) seem to have hatched their broods and departed, not that I've seen any of them.

[Jeannie's Hunter]

We have had robins, blackbirds, starlings, swallows and ring collared doves and a woodpecker with a red tummy all nesting which has been lovely. What is not lovely is that there is a rookery at the back of the garden and the mess is just horrendous! It is so bad that I have had to stop using the compost bins in that corner as it is just disgusting. Not only that, but they make a horrible noise as well - as my father used to say, that is just nature!

Sent from Jeannie's iPad

On 3 Jun 2013, at 23:04, roseg <rose...@hotmail.com> wrote:

I've got a colony of sparrows in my bushes in the front garden/jungle.  They shriek morning and evening, and get through an awful lot of bird seed.  The blackbirds (nesting safely in the mahonia) and pigeons (in large viburnum tinus) seem to have hatched their broods and departed, not that I've seen any of them.

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[Claire Hawes]

We presumably have robins, blackbirds and great tits nesting somewhere in the garden as I'm seeing a lot of food gathering going on, but I haven't investigated where the nests might be. I watched Springwatch last night and saw Chris Packham's item about a good bio-diverse garden having different "storeys" and we ticked all the boxes, from dry-stone walls and (admittedly small) ponds to mature trees.

Did I tell you though about the fox which appeared on our decking while we were eating supper in the kitchen one evening last week? As it was a nice evening the patio do0rs were open so Flossie charged out and told it to "get off her land"! It spooked her quite a bit though, for the rest of the evening she was "on patrol" in the garden.

The birds don't seem to mind her though and as she keeps the cats away they probably feel safer with her around.

[CarolB was MNKB]

Our Baby Blue Tits are doing well. The chirping is getting louder and it's sounds as if they are Growing well. I wonder how big they are.
We think they are around 2.5 to 3 weeks so keeping my eyes peeled for when they Fledge. It could be soon.

[glenc]

Ah, Carol I saw the first ever blue tit in my garden today having a go at the bird feeder (which was almost empty).  So I have put some fresh seed/fat balls in it in the hope that they will come back.

[Shaun Finnie]

A friend of ours is a head keeper at a local deer farm. Today he let me & my Beloved (and our nephew – he was our excuse for going!) go with him to feed the Red & Fallow Deers and their very young babies. The oldest was just three weeks old. They were lovely and (probably because we had their food) very friendly. About a hundred does and one stag of each species. It was delightful.

 

Shaun

[Fran]

Shaun that sounds idyllic.

[Jeannie's Hunter]

That sounds enchanting Shaun - a VERY feel good outing! X

Sent from Jeannie's iPad

On 6 Jun 2013, at 15:27, "Shaun Finnie" <shaun....@sky.com> wrote:

A friend of ours is a head keeper at a local deer farm. Today he let me & my Beloved (and our nephew – he was our excuse for going!) go with him to feed the Red & Fallow Deers and their very young babies. The oldest was just three weeks old. They were lovely and (probably because we had their food) very friendly. About a hundred does and one stag of each species. It was delightful.

 

Shaun

--

[CarolB was MNKB]

Shaun, I saw you pic on FB. It's lovely. What an experience.

Well the Tits Fledged this morning.
Francis ran up the stairs just before 7am to tell me they were looking out of the box.
So I raced downstairs and we watched for a short while. Fra left for work soon after and we discussed their leaving maybe tonight or tomorrow.
He took two pics of them peeking out.
I then went upstairs to get dressed quickly. Took a quick look out the window and saw one fly out..... Wooohooooo
Dashed downstairs with camera (still,in dressing gown) and took to the garden. It was chaos. One on the shed roof one in the bush another I don't know where!
And one poor little thing, I think he saw the reflection of the fence ( my nice blue one Claire) in the shed window and knock himself senseless. He was. Stunned for about ten mins but ok. Mum & Dad were gathering them together and feeding at the same time. I took quite a few pics and had to scare some finches away which looked aggressive. Also Magpies. I will put the pics up tomorrow. Some of you will have seen a couple on FB.
Anyway it was all over in about 20 mins. Now silence in the garden. Until they come back to say hello of course.

Now it's wait for the swallow to lay their eggs. They are still building their nest at the moment.
Ain't Nature Grand..

[Cally]

Exciting about the blue tits.  I cannot see into my blackbird nest and don't want to startle mum so I have just watched her and dad fly in and out from a distance. I wonder how the babes will manage in their inaugural flight as the nest is in a funny corner and I worry that someone is going to fly into the shed door if I have left it open when gardening!

This evening daisy looked very excited out of the window so I followed her gaze and there was a young deer on the other side of the fence, peering over.  I did not  let her out until I had taken a video of her coming up to the house but on the other side of the fence and then rushing away when a car went past. daisy ran really fast to follow her scent but luckily returned when I called.  I am glad we have a fence or they would be eating my veg and roses.

[CarolB was MNKB]

These are the best of the pictures. the first Baby wating for Mum
The second she arrives to feed Baby
The third, this is the one who flew into the shed and was stunned for a while. But was okay in the end.
Hope they come back for a visit to the bird table soon. I would like to know how they are doing. They usually do return.
The Pictures aren't the best, butn when all the commotion is going on you want the shot and don't worry about the light.

[Jeannie's Hunter]

Lovely photos Carol and I am SO glad that baby is O.K. Well done on capturing the moment.

Sent from Jeannie's iPad

[glenc]

Looks lovely Carol.  I hadn't really thought about doing this before...taking photos of birds' progress.  However, every year so far I have followed the progress of the same pair of Swans and their annual offspring on the Abbey Mill Stream here.  Maybe I will take a few shots to show you all. They have quite a few people looking out for them locally - quite a fan club!!

I am waiting for 'Swan Upping' now...a wonderful ancient ceremony here.  Cancelled in 2012 sadly because the River Thames was dangerously flooded with all the rain.

[Shaun Finnie]

Lovely photos Carol. It’s great to see young birds fledging.

 

Remember that half of all Blue Tit chicks don’t make it to adulthood though. Remember, all those predators have chicks to feed too. It’s the circle of life.

 

Has anyone else been watching Springwatch?  The snake taking that young warbler chick was a bit difficult to watch...

 

[CarolB was MNKB]

The snake scene was a bit sad, short life for the bird. Still not sure what happened to the rest as they scattered.

Shaun, I am optimistic-ish about the young. I like to think once they have left the nest they will be fine. But of course we know this isn't true.
I am just watching whilst having breakfast the young Jackdaw in its nest. (On the red button, channel 301) They are noisy birds! 122 feeds in 1 hour! Wow
They had to fight of another intruder this morning..talk about dog eat dog..
I find it all wonderful and fascinating and a roller coaster of emotions. Nature at its best.

[Shaun Finnie]

Yes, Jackdaws are very noisy... especially the ones who live in my
neighbour's (disused) chimney! :-) Still, it's a natural sound.

We have lots of them on our bird table - feeding area, along with House
Sparrows, Dunnocks and Blackbirds. Apart from the occasional cheeky Robin
that's all we get here. Probably due to the fact that
1 - We live on a very busy road
2 - There are lots of cats around
3 - My garden is very small (about two metres by two metres) so there's not
much room for a great variety of feeders/food/locations

Still, it's good to see whatever comes.

Shaun

[Claire Hawes]

But at least you have sparrows Shaun, which have become very scarce indeed round here. Not sure why though I think it's a national trend?

I love Springwatch, though I feel this year the stories they are following are not quite as gripping as in previous years. They seem to move location every 2 or 3 years, don't they, so maybe next year they will move on. Just as long as it does come back, I'll be happy though.

[Shaun Finnie]

Yes indeed Claire, we’re lucky in that all three kinds of British Sparrows (House, Tree and Hedge) nest close to where I live.

The RSPB estimate that House Sparrow population has fallen by around 75% since 1970 or so.

[Jules]

Apols if I've asked this before, but we have a bullfinch in the front garden (more meadowy at the moment), who loved blossom.  He never comes round the back.  Why might that be?  He's utterly splendid, a mix of being splendid and a bit thuggish!

No pheasants seen in ages - probably roosting?  Not roasting! Ha!

[Shaun Finnie]

In the springtime adult Bullfinches survive almost exclusively on young tree buds...  especially fruit trees. In some parts of the country it’s even known locally as the Budfinch. That would explain him being attracted to your blossom I think. The ‘problem’ of them eating orchard trees has led in the past to governments allowing culling. They especially like Conference pairs, apparently (I had to look that last bit up!)

 

Shaun

 

 

From: Jules

Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 2:38 PM

To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

 

Apols if I've asked this before, but we have a bullfinch in the front garden (more meadowy at the moment), who loved blossom.  He never comes round the back.  Why might that be?  He's utterly splendid, a mix of being splendid and a bit thuggish!

 

No pheasants seen in ages - probably roosting?  Not roasting! Ha!

[Cally]

The blackbirds eggs must have hatched and Mr and Mrs Blackbird are flying in and out of the woodshed  with increased frequency.  My grandmother had a blackbirds nest outside  her bathroom window and I loved climbing on to the loo seat as a child and peering out right into the nest. excellent view. Sadly I cannot see into mine but enjoy seeing the parents fly about, and hopefully soon the wee ones.

[Jeannie Hunter]

We had a dead siskin in the middle of our path and since then, two dead have appeared in a neighbour's garden and another two dead in a garden just up the road. What can be happening to them?

From: Jules <jul...@btinternet.com>
To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 2:38 PM
Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

[Jules]

A cat with murder on its mind?

[Shaun Finnie]

My immediate guess is that they have the parasitic disease called trichomonosis that gets easily passed among finches (which Siskins are). Sadly the main place that they catch it is on birdfeeders and tables that haven’t been regularly cleaned. If this is the case then they would probably look ill too.

 

There’s much more info at this link -  http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/health/sickbirds/greenfinches.aspx

 

Shaun

 

 

From: Jeannie Hunter

Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 4:08 PM

To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

 

[Claire Hawes]

How sad, Jeannie - and thank you for the info Shaun!

Do bullfinches like teasels? I have a feeling that they do...I hope so, because teasel is my garden's weed of the year (believe it or not, it seems to be a different weed every year  that I feel has taken over the place) ans although I am (carefully, in deference to the spiny leaves and stems) pulling them up in some places, in others I'm letting them grow in the hope that come the autumn the birds will be able to have a good feed. I know the bees like the purple flowers too.

[CarolB was MNKB]

Well I am pleased to say I clean my feeders regularly. Only yesterday I cleaned my suet feeder.

I was going to say perhaps the cold has seen them off. But Shaun that is good information. Which I wasn't entirely aware of. I am still learning.

We have been give a tree trunk which is an old apple tree cut down a couple of years ago. It's around 5ft tall. Don't laugh but we have planted it at the bottom of
The garden and plan to grown something up it. More a feature. There is even a hole which might suit some animal to nest or build in. (Who knows )

[Claire Hawes]

Carol decaying wood like that is a fantastic habitat for all manner of little bugs and things - and hence  great source of food for the birds!

[CarolB was MNKB]

Yes Claire, I think this will be part of the plan.
I forgot to say. mum Blue Tit is still around with three babies. Using our feeders to feed babies. It is so heart warming to see.
A question for Shaun,
Do you know once they have fledged the nest. What happens to dad. ( we think it is the female who is feeding them) does dad go off to find another mate. Or just go off. Or would he still be around to help out. We haven't seen him since.

[Shaun Finnie]

Hi Carol.

As far as I'm aware both Blue Tit parents will feed the fledglings as long
as they need then get straight on with the business of making another clutch
of eggs! They can have up to four in a year although with the late arrival
of spring this year I'd guess that most will only have time for two now. As
they only live for about two years they have to make the most of their
breeding season.

It's a short, hard life being a Blue Tit. As they're so conspicuous they're
pretty much on all predators' lunch menu. That's one of the reasons they
have so many youngsters. They're the rabbits of the bird world.

Shaun


-----Original Message-----
From: CarolB was MNKB

Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 10:41 PM
To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

[Cally]

I posted about critters on spring WIDT - oops.

[Cally]

the summer one actually. 

[Fran]

I don't get to see much variety of birds in my garden which is probably just as well as I am not that good at identifying them! Out with my brother during the week, in Cheshire, he pointed out a Kestrel to me - beautiful.

[CarolB was MNKB]

I am pleased to report.
The bluetits are going strong one week later. I have a couple of pics one with mum feeding baby. They are so noisy when they come around (about three times a day) you cannot miss them. Imagine three kids calling for dinner at the same time! "Mum mum mum feed me" over here over here. They fly from bush to bush demanding to be fed. I did notice them having a go themselves though.
We were out all day today and as soon as we got back and went into the garden they arrived.

Shaun, I know they have a small chance in the birdie world but I like to think if they don't come back then they have just moved on.
This year unfortunately I have watched them so much I have become attached to them. I wake in the morning and if I hear magpies outside (which you do) I leap out of bed to check out the Window!!! They better leave my babies alone..

[Shaun Finnie]

Kestrels are indeed magnificent but their numbers have absolutely plummeted
in recent years. When I was young we saw them on every motorway journey.
Yesterday I saw one: it was just my second of the year. I guess we should
appreciate them when we get the chance.

Shaun

-----Original Message-----
From: Fran
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 10:11 PM
To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

[Shaun Finnie]

How nice that you can still see them after they've fledged! That's a rare
treat.
I completely understand what you say about protecting "your" Blue Tits from
Magpies Carol, I'd probably be the same. But I guess the truth is that those
Magpies have to feed their own babies too.
It's a harsh life out there.

-----Original Message-----
From: CarolB was MNKB
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 10:31 PM
To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

[CarolB was MNKB]

Shaun, we are in week 4 and the three babies with Mum/Dad are still around. I have later shots to put up some time.
I say they are still around but two nights ago we had farmers and there machinery up here. It has always been cattle. But now they are going to use the grass for cattle feed. The trouble was their monster of a machine was two big to get up to the land on the farm lane. ( next door but one to us) my babies have been roosting in the apple trees next door and when they finally pushed through they battered the trees and we saw two blue tits fly out. I think they must have had a fright. The farmers came back at 6am next morning to finish off then got stuck again trying to get out that evening and again battered the trees, damaged a fence and their big machine. So I am hoping my family will be back. As I am at work in the day I don't know if they have been around. But not seen them since Monday eve.

On another sad note. We had Swallows build a nest on our outside light out front in the porch way. But Francis saw the female on the ground last Thursday morning and never moved when he walked up to it. She has disappeared since. There are 5 eggs in the nest and the male is still coming back and sitting on the wire looking around for his mate he doesn't know what to do. :-(

[Claire Hawes]

Carol that is annoying of the farmer, and very sad about the swallow.

I think it must be a bad year for swallows, swifts and martins around here. I was thinking that while I walked Flossie yesterday. In some of the fields it used to like watching an amazing aerial circus as they whooshed around, but yesterday there seemed to be a small fraction of the numbers taking part :-(

On a domestic note, I have to get in touch with our local bee-keeping association. Last year I realised we had a bee nest in one of our plastic compost bins. (Not honey bees, but I think, red-tailed bumble bees.) I didn't mind as they were no trouble and I have 4 other bins to use. All the information I read suggested that they would move on after a year. However, they haven't! (It's clearly a  dezzzz rezzzz :-)) And again, I was happy to let them be but Mr G our gardener asked me to get them moved as he worried that he or I could be stung as we went past on our way to the water butt down there. I don't think it's likely but it is clearly bothering him, so I need to investigate getting them moved. I'll actually be sorry to see them go - they were great for pollinating my runner beans last year.

[Shaun Finnie]

Carol I think that the Blue Tits will be fine. If they've made it to more
than a couple of weeks past fledging then their odds are pretty good.
They'll just move on to somewhere they see as safer.

As for the Swallow, that's a different story. Swallows aren't made for the
ground. Because of the size of their legs and the weight distribution of
their bodies they find it very difficult to get back into the air again once
they touch down.

Shaun

-----Original Message-----
From: CarolB was MNKB
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 10:30 PM
To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

[glenc]

Well here's a sorry tale for all of you Twitchers.  Apparently we had an extremely rare Swift ...the white-throated needletail...... come to Scotland.  It is so rare that it has only been sighted here 8 times in the last 170 years.  All the enthusiasts were there to catch a  glimpse, and the poor thing flew into a wind-turbine.  Guess that is fuel for the anti-turbine brigade (of which I am one!!!!).
I read this in the Telegraph today but, no doubt it was reported in the Times?

[Claire Hawes]

Yes it was reported in the Times too Glen. A sorry tale indeed. If only scientists could find some non-polluting, renewable, environmentally friendly means of supplying our power needs! A lot of friends and family have added solar panels to their houses, which is very laudable I know, but visually the effect is not very attractive. (Apologies to anyone who has panels on their roof!!)

[glenc]

Added to which Claire a/c my son (who is an engineer in the power industry), they are not very efficient in the overall picture of power suppl;y.  Natural sources of energy not being constant....thus they actually cost all of us money in subsidies.

But I had better not start on that debate!!

[Claire Hawes]

Sort-of appropriate to this thread, the husband of Flossie's gundog trainer is a professional animal photographer and yesterday he took some photos of our group on our pre-assessment training session. If you go to fatbeaglephotography and use the code CHTJUNE (you will need also to enter your name and email address) you can see the photos he took. I think they are marvellous! (For anyone who hasn't met me, I'm the woman in the red coat).

[CarolB was MNKB]

Lovely photographs Claire, I like the one of you running with flossie and number 32 where shie is sitting looking at camera. Hasn't she grown...

[Claire Hawes]

Yes Carol she has grown indeed - so much so we've had to put her on a diet!! I think I will buy copies of the one of us running, and of her "portrait," everyone has said how much they like them! I think he got some great shots of all the dogs.

[Jules]

Super photos, and I have to add that I love your wells!!!

In a new diversion on the critters front, we have rabbits nesting in the lawn - not quite the middle, but in an open area.  I called the pest guy yesterday and received a 'lecture' in what's happening.  Mum has built a tunnel (probably using an old mole tunnel) and has hunkered down to have her babies, pulling the soil back over the tunnel to leave an air hole.  I have no intention of killing them, so we're just watching what happens.  There is nothing precious in the garden.  We already have bunnies hopping about.  Mum has just made a mess of the lawn, which is the annoying part!

[Claire Hawes]

Thanks Jules, and another friend commented favourably on my wellies - B&Q's finest, last year!!

That's rather sweet about the rabbits (though I confess if we had them digging up my lawn I wouldn't be quite so thrilled!)

[CarolB was MNKB]

I would be happy if they nested in my garden. I love watching nature. It can always be tidied afterwards. Jules, is this Cornwall or Sussex.

Since the drama with the farmers and their machinery. We have only seen two of the Blue Tits. And both are the young, so who knows what has happened to mum and the other. The two young seem to be feeding themselves and are ok.

[Cally]

This morning I took myself off for a walk near Berwick and saw a beautiful yellow hammer. I have not seen one before. Also a pale and delicately marked warbler but I don't know which one it is.

[Shaun Finnie]

Yellowhammers are wonderful little birds and such a distinctive call – I’ve heard it described as going “A-little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheeeeeese”.

 

As for that warbler Cally, don’t worry. There are so many that look very similar. Tiny details of song, eyebrows, darkness of tail and (most crucially) location are the only ways to tell them apart. I tend to just revel in their beautiful song rather than trying to guess at what they are most of the time. Gorgeous little creatures that really put their syrinx to work!

 

Shaun

 

From: Cally

Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2013 8:27 PM

To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

 

[Lesley Martin]

During our drive through the Peak District we stopped at Longshaw, a NT visitors' centre, for a cup of tea and some chaps were getting quite excited about a siskin on the bird feeder. I couldn't see it very well though as it was against the light.

We didn't see anything exciting in the way of wildlife, other than the cows being taken in for milking!

--

[Cally]

Yes, my sister said that even bird people find it hard to identify the specific warblers sometime.  Well, the advantage of a badly fitting bird cage netting means that I have the privilege of getting up close and personal to a few different birds. This morning I coaxed a woodpecker, sparrow and a wee wren out of the cage away from the strawberries. The woodpecker had been trying to tap his way out of the corner!

[CarolB was MNKB]

Shaun, yesterday at the Christening. The party was held in the local pub (very old pub) covered in ivy at the back. Well we enjoyed ourselves but the noise from above I fond amusing while others wanted to shoot them. A mixture of house martins and sparrows all nesting in the Ivy........flying in and out the whole afternoon.

[Shaun Finnie]

Many birds love ivy Carol, it provides shade, shelter and plenty of food in
the form of flying insects.

My garden is about ten feet by ten feet. It has privet hedges down both
sides and both are chock full of sparrow nests. Delightful but, as you say,
very noisy when they get riled!
And a neighbour has had house martins nesting in her eaves every year that
we've been here (23 years now)... apart from this year. They haven't come
back. Strange. But then again we have yet to see any summer here yet
(remember how late winter was?)

Shaun


-----Original Message-----
From: CarolB was MNKB

Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 9:21 PM
To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

[Fran]

It has been lovely to see the return of the woodpecker and I was right in that I thought there were 2 different ones as today I saw both together - Great Spotted woodpeckers.  I think one may have been a younger one as the colours were not quite so vibrant and the breast was more grey than white.  They certainly made short work of the food in the garden.

[Cally]

having a fruit cage is supposed to keep the birds out but it has been very useful in seeing them too as they find a way in but not out!  Yesterday I helped free a woodpecker, sparrow and a wren. Has this been mentoned?  It is only when I saw Frans mention that it came to me. 

[CarolB was MNKB]

Cally, Francis has just today built a greenhouse shaped frame around the veggies/salad and covered it in netting.
It looks good and won't keep out snails and slugs. But I am. Little worried about any birds getting caught in it. Before this we had a low to ground cover.
This one is house shape and about 5ft high in the middle.

[Fiona]

These are great photos Claire - I love your wellies - I have a very similar pair!  Flossie is huge now - she looks really grown-up :-)

[Mel]

A couple of weeks ago my lemon tree was covered in beautiful yellow lemons, now most of them are on the ground with a hole pecked in them. Rotten sulphur crested cockatoos to blame. These are birds with a sense of humour!

[CarolB was MNKB]

What a shame Mel, little Buggers. You need a cage too.
I'm just off to clean the Bird Bath. It's filthy and the Birds are complaining.

[Fran]

I know this is going to sound a bit pathetic but I saw a thrush today.  We don't seem to get many in the garden and I have only fairly recently started trying to identify birds.

[glenc]

Not pathetic Fran.  I really didn't see many birds when I lived in the city so I was thrilled the first time I saw a thrush in my garden here!

[CarolB was MNKB]

Shaun, I got some fantastic close ups today of Red Kites. We had bout 10 flying around above us, the Farmers were cutting the grass in the field next to us.
I'll have to load one or two up in the week. (Cannot do it yet on the ipad) need PC.

Haven't seen the Blue Tits for a week now. But I like to think they have just moved on. Maybe they will visit soon...

[Shaun Finnie]

Brilliant, Carol. It's far too long since I've seen Red Kites. I know that they're very common in some parts of the country but they've not made it here yet.

"Your" Blue Tits will be well dispersed by now.

 

We did see this lovely lad yesterday though....

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----

From: CarolB was MNKB

Sent: Sunday, July 07, 2013 10:32 PM

To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

 

Shaun, I got some fantastic close ups today of Red Kites. We had bout 10 flying around above us, the Farmers were cutting the grass in the field next to us.

I'll have to load one or two up in the week. (Cannot do it yet on the ipad) need PC.

 

Haven't seen the Blue Tits for a week now. But I like to think they have just moved on. Maybe they will visit soon...

 

[glenc]

Gosh Shaun that is wonderful!!!

Red Kites are my near neighbours all of the time here.  I live on the edge of town and they are prolific.  I never tire of sitting watching them overhead.  Their call is quite distinctive and one always knows when they are around.  Beautiful birds.

[Shaun Finnie]

Thanks Glen, though I can’t take the credit. The Beloved is the photographer in the family.

 

It was at a place called Bempton Cliffs, on the east coast between Scarborough and Bridlington. It’s the best place in England to see puffins though we were a little late in the season. There are thousands there around May but now just a handful. Many thousands of Gannets though (much more striking birds than Puffins to my eyes), Guillemots, Razorbill, Kittiwakes etc.

 

And best of all there weren’t many people there at all yesterday afternoon. Apparently there was something on the telly...

 

Shaun

 

 

From: glenc

Sent: Monday, July 08, 2013 10:14 AM

To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

 

[Shaun Finnie]

Following on from yesterday’s Puffin picture, it’s been a goal of the Beloved’s for some time to have a photo that she’s taken shown on our local TV news program, ‘Calendar’. It’s Yorkshire TV’s evening news show, just before the ITN 6-30 national news. Every day they show a viewer’s photo to illustrate the weather of the day and she keeps sending them shots. Last night they showed this one from Bempton and she was over the moon. The cliff wall there is where that Puffin was.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: Shaun Finnie

Sent: Monday, July 08, 2013 10:27 AM

To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

 

[CarolB was MNKB]

Fantastic picture Shaun, to right it should be on Tv. I wish/hope one day I may achieve success in some way too. It does look as if your beloved is an accomplished photographer though. Well done Beloved.

Hilarious today. Came home from lunch and walking to Kitchen window only to see 5 geese in the Garden!!!
They had come over from the farm and how they got into our garden i'll never know.
I grabbed the camera and took a couple of shots. They looked quite amusing but they had flattened most of our wild bit it garden. Good job Francis built a cage around the veggie area and covered the fruit bushes.
They left with us shushing them by squeezing between the fencing.

[CarolB was MNKB]

Im on the PC as i still cannot load pictures from my ipad. I spent half hour last night trying different modes but nothing works.
will have to speak with apple for advice next time i'm near a store.

So here are the pics of my Red Kites. (well some of them)

[Jeannie's Hunter]

Beautiful photos Carol! Unfortunately, I couldn't see Shaun's, as my broadband is still kaput but an engineer is supposed to be coming tomorrow. I don't know if this post will go or not either!

Steph, my son lives in Putney and Bill and I used to walk some of the Thames path when we went down there, unfortunately, Bill cannot manage that any more.

Sent from Jeannie's iPad

[Stephanie Fairbrother]

I'll wave to you and family as I go through Putney, Jeannie!! Happy memories of walks with Bill.

Great pictures, Carol!  Very impressive birds.

Sent from my iPad

[glenc]

Putney was once my stamping ground to Jeannie.  I was at College in Roehampton and then I lived there when I was teaching at the London College of Fashion.  My husband always wanted to go back to live.

[glenc]

Just managed to see your Red Kites Carol.  This is the view I get from my back garden too.  I could sit and watch them for hours.

[Shaun Finnie]

I love those pictures Carol – you’re fortunate to have such glorious creatures nearby.

Also love the fact that you call them “my” Kites.  Could anyone else who sees them make the same claim then? 

 

Thanks for sharing the pictures

 

Shaun

[Jules]

Gorgeous photos - Carol and Beloved!  Not sure where the comment was, but they do that with "South Today" too Shaun.  As I 'like" them on Facbook, I get to see the selection of photos sort of shortlisted, even if I don't watch the evening news (which is almost always).

[Jules]

Twitcher needed!  

We've had a small owl that's been on the roof of our privy, in full sun most of the morning.  I had a look through the bins, and he/she has a mottled effect.  It's smaller than a wood pigeon (as one briefly sat by it).  I tried to get a closer look, but he/she flew off.... only to return when I'd retreated.  It has been there for hours this morning.  It's a good vantage point for the rabbit 'nest' so I wondered if it was staking out baby bunnies?

What do you think it is?  I've taken a photo, which I'll upload later, but it's a mystery to me.  I couldn't see its face, so I can't see if it has ears.  I'd like to think it's a small-eared owl, but I think they're quite uncommon?

[Shaun Finnie]

It’s out in the daylight, it’s quite common, it’s not too scared of people, mottled feathers, it’s little and it’s an owl....    my money would be on the Little Owl Jules! 

 

Try here.  http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/l/littleowl/index.aspx

 

And know that I’m jealous because, despite them being quite common nationwide and plentiful around these parts I’ve never actually managed to see one.

 

Shaun

 

 

From: Jules

Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2013 1:36 PM

To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

 

Twitcher needed!  

 

We've had a small owl that's been on the roof of our privy, in full sun most of the morning.  I had a look through the bins, and he/she has a mottled effect.  It's smaller than a wood pigeon (as one briefly sat by it).  I tried to get a closer look, but he/she flew off.... only to return when I'd retreated.  It has been there for hours this morning.  It's a good vantage point for the rabbit 'nest' so I wondered if it was staking out baby bunnies?

 

What do you think it is?  I've taken a photo, which I'll upload later, but it's a mystery to me.  I couldn't see its face, so I can't see if it has ears.  I'd like to think it's a small-eared owl, but I think they're quite uncommon?

[glenc]

Shaun beat me to it.  I was going to suggest a Little Owl.  I only know this because I went to a Young Farmers Open day and there was a very good showing of Birds of Prey...local enthusiast!!! The Little Owls were of course the ones most remarked upon.  I have never soon one in the wild though.

[Jules]

Well... here he/she is.  I was making bunting last night and forgot to come back online!  Time flies, eh?!

Thank you Shaun (and Glen).  It's very satisfying to get a name to him/her, although it amazes me still how much sunbathing he/she was doing!  I'm sorry to make you jealous, Shaun.  That wasn't my intention!  Oh my, I wish I could transport you right now - he/she is there again in the exact spot.  There's a reasonable sized bunny on the lawn.  Surely it can't take that?  Oh... how am I going to get anything done today, I shall want to be watching Little Owl!!!

[Shaun Finnie]

Your rabbits are safe Jules, it usually eats worms and crickets, nothing much bigger.  I have some wild flowery pictures to come shortly. Don’t know whether to put them here or in the Gardening thread...

 

From: Jules

Sent: Friday, July 12, 2013 9:10 AM

To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Birdies & Critters

 

Well... here he/she is.  I was making bunting last night and forgot to come back online!  Time flies, eh?!

 

Thank you Shaun (and Glen).  It's very satisfying to get a name to him/her, although it amazes me still how much sunbathing he/she was doing!  I'm sorry to make you jealous, Shaun.  That wasn't my intention!  Oh my, I wish I could transport you right now - he/she is there again in the exact spot.  There's a reasonable sized bunny on the lawn.  Surely it can't take that?  Oh... how am I going to get anything done today, I shall want to be watching Little Owl!!!

 

 

[CarolB was MNKB]

Shaun, how about this then. "My" Swallows. ;-)
No really the female swallow disappeared nearly three weeks ago now. Anyway a few days ago I heard a chattering coming from the porch and low and behold there are two again. We know the male has come around every day. Has he found a new mate, also there are 5 eggs there, can they be any good. I have read a little online and it could be possible. So tonight I had a peek from our side door to the passage and there was a swallow sitting on the nest.
We could have Babies yet!
Ours of Course...

[Mel]

Driving home in the dark the other night I had to stop for a brush tailed possum, it was standing up on hind legs peering at my car. It made me wait ages before it decided to amble slowly off the road. No wonder there are so many dead ones on the roads.
We have a possum box in a tree in the front garden, (they are quite short of places to live) the first night it was up there we could hear the possum making adaptations to the door, gnawing away until it was suitable. The possum lived there for many years and raised quite a few babies, eventually she went blind but still survived and carried on having babies but I haven't seen her for months and suspect she may have died. We could tell she was blind because her eyes went completely white and she started coming out in the daytime.

[Mel]

[CarolB was MNKB]

Aww Mel, how sad. Did you give your Possum a name.

An update on the swallow story. After two weeks with definitely one roosting in the nest at night. Francis got a ladder and had peak. The five eggs have disappeared without a trace and the nest is spotless.
So we will leave it until the winter then remove it.

On another note.. After waiting all this time for a Hedgehog We have bumblebees nesting in our Hedgehog House!!
I think they are Tree Bumblebees. One was outside the house dying on the ground. I took pictures to identify them.
I think our wild garden is working. We have so many butterflies too.

[Fran]

Carol your garden sounds delightful.  I love the idea of a hedgehog house and may look to see if I can make one.  Although my garden is small I'm sure I could find room.

[Claire Hawes]

Butterflies a-plenty at the moment, both in the garden and out on the fields when I walk Flossie. However she thinks they are there for the catching and spends ages snapping at (usually) fresh air - I haven't seen her get one so far, thank goodness!

[CarolB was MNKB]

I don't think I told you. Or did I?

After the five swallows eggs disappeared, another Mate arrived and then there were 4 eggs. This was a few weeks ago. We have been keeping an eye out
And there are four babies all growing well. I think they will fledge soon. I did put a pic on FB will do the same here when I go on PC. ( still cannot upload from ipad)
We have a lot of bird poo to clear when they have gone. I just love the way they turn their bottoms around to the edge and drop it to the ground. Lol
When they see us they duck down slowly into the nest.

[Jeannie's Hunter]

How lovely Carol! Every time I go out into the garden a sweet little robin appears at my feet and looks appealingly at me for a worm! As I weed, he pops along and looks so clever as he pulls a worm out of the ground!
Good luck with your return to work - I do remember that feeling and am sooo glad I don't have to cope with it nowadays. Your turn will come when you too, can do what you like with your time - don't wish it too soon!

Sent from Jeannie's iPad

[Jules]

Shaun. So far a wood pigeon has landed on my car. I have seen a blackbird. I hear something like a crow.

Not that exciting!

I will get a bird table set up on the patio, now there is room, and see what I can entice. It's not a Sussex garden!

[CarolB was MNKB]

Jules, No Seagulls?

Suddenly since Sunday, our old friends have come back into the garden. (Been missing all summer) Greenfinches, Robin, blackbirds and Great Tits and Blue Tits.
One wonders where they have all been this past two months!!

Francis has befriended a pigeon, a lone one who has been around since the winter months. We called him George. (Sorry Jules)
He knows us well and when we walk into the garden you can see him sitting on the telegraph pole about 300 yrs away. He comes gliding in straight to us.

[Shaun Finnie]

"Suddenly since Sunday, our old friends have come back into the garden.
(Been missing all summer) Greenfinches, Robin, blackbirds and Great Tits and
Blue Tits.
One wonders where they have all been this past two months"

I'd guess that they've been feasting on nature's natural bounty, as they
tend to do in the height of summer. It seems that they prefer to feed their
youngsters on the most natural food they can get - not only is it the food
that they've evolved to eat but it teaches the chicks how to get their own
too. The rest of the year birds are happy to eat anything that we put out
for them but in the height of feeding chicks season the use of birdfeeders
does usually go down.

Shaun

[CarolB was MNKB]

Of course Shaun, I did realise why they go. But just wonder exactly where. I've had loads of caterpillars in m garden and the birds have ignored them.
Think next year I will put up a sign saying. " Hey Tits, Caterpillars this way"

Well today I did something we are not supposed to do and that is interfere with nature.
At work a Dunnock smacked into our window at work. It was on the ground with its head twisted and backside in the air much like someone doing a handstand. It was breathing heavy. It was agreed at first that was best left alone. But someone else came out and moved it upright. It appeared just stunned but undamaged so she put it into a box and we put it to one side to come round. (Being next to a hotel there are lots of rats around, also a giant ginger cat)
As I live close by, less than 2km it was decided I would take it home and if still not ok by tomorrow then off to Tiggywinkles.
I tried letting it lose in the garden but it stayed put. Eventually when Fra arrived home we had another go and he flew out straight into our Virginia creeper exactly where I had placed a roosting pouch in case it was needed. How's that then.. I shall be up with the birds tomorrow to see if I can spot him/her.

Our Swallows are still in the nest and so big I wonder how mum fits in at night too. She is alone and working so hard. I hope she makes it. I think a they should be out by the weekend if not before.
This last two years I have become addicted to bird watching. I'm loving it, even the Gangsters (magpies) have their place.
George the Pigeon is still around.

[Jeannie's Hunter]

I just love your chatty, descriptive posts Carol - keep them up! X

Sent from Jeannie's iPad

[CarolB was MNKB]

Thank you Jeannie, that's very kind of you.
Well, looking out of the window this morning and guess what! I saw three Dunnocks and one of them was the rescued bird from work. I know because the feathers sticking out where he bashes himself near the head are still there. He seemed quite happy hopping around the garden feeder. So pleased.

[Claire Hawes]

I stopped to pick some blackberries while out walking Flossie this morning. We were in a big meadow complete with peaceful cows grazing contentedly. Out of the hedge bounds a little muntjac deer! I know they aren't native but they have made themselves at home here, and it was such a lovely scene. What a tragedy if the developers get their way and build hundreds of houses over this field :-(

[Claire Hawes]

After yesterday's muntjac, today's walk also brought us an unexpected sight. As Flossie and  turned onto  a track through some fields up ahead of us we saw a fox trotting along with  a rabbit hanging out of its mouth! The rabbit wasn't struggling so I suppose it was already dead. Flossie set off after the fox but I think she was quite happy to be recalled back to me - she's not the bravest dog in the world!

[CarolB was MNKB]

Claire, how lovely, nature doing its thing. I loved your sky pics on Facebook too. (I've got competition)

THEY ARE OUT!!! The swallows were out flying this afternoon and I was at blooming work. (Francis saw them) They are back in bed now. So they have had there first outing and will probably hang around for a couple of days. I hope I can get some decent pics before they go.

Amazingly yesterday about 20+ Swallows were ducking and diving around the house and garden, on there way south no doubt. Some of them were helping the Mother to feed the babies, the same happened on Saturday too, only there were less of them. I'm sure they were trying to entice them out. A glorious site.

[glenc]

Sounds lovely Carol - we had Swallows around our house in Yarm (how I miss it).  Your post about BBWOT reminded me that  I am a member too. There are lots of good places under their supervision hereabouts and I don't make enough use of them.  We do have another lovely bird watching spot though.  The Radley Lakes Trust has saved  the said lakes which were formerly gravel extraction pits for a local energy producer.  The trust has landscaped an already stunning area and put in lots of Hides.  It is a great place for birds (all sorts of interesting varieties apparently) as well as a lovely walk.  Must visit it again soon.

[Shaun Finnie]

I didn’t set out to particularly see any rare birds yesterday, just took the niece & nephew to see their granddad's new boat and then for a little walk.  However, we saw a snipe, common sandpiper, kingfisher and grey wagtail (all firsts for them) and a spoonbill and a night heron (both firsts for me).  Lovely.

 

Shaun

[Jules]

Wow, Shaun, what treats!

I put a feeding station up yesterday for the birdies, hoping that more than the crow and blackbird might appear (no seagulls, thank goodness, we're up on top of a hill with sea each side) and this morning there's been a robin, several blue tits, a great tit and a coal tit. I can't really describe how much pleasure this has given me!