On and around my Stretford backyard feeders over the last few weeks were Goldfinch in varying numbers , sometimes less than ten. In and around the front terrace garden have been constant visits from last years Blackbird pair,the male seen carrying food today. The Robins have also paired up and were feeding together on the crushed Fatballs and dried Mealworms. Dunnocks have also been visiting eating the food. The female Dunnock has been seen offering herself to the male in a tree opposite my house a few weeks ago. A male Dunnock is heard singing daily opposite the garden , as was the male Blackbird, usually at 3:30am before the clocks went forward.
pete berry said
Tue Apr 13 3:44 PM, 2021
A singing Chiffchaff again behind the back garden ,presumably different bird from last week. On the feeders still plenty of Goldfinch,and a steady trickle of Redpoll and Greenfinch. A couple of Coal Tits put in an appearance and the usual Great,Blue and Long Tailed Tits in and out all day. A couple of Kestrels feeding over the rough field beyond the garden,hopefully going to breed nearby again,plus several Buzzards over and a couple of Sparrowhawks thermalling about.
2 redpoll keeping up appearances - can they make it into May? Nuthatch for the first time in a while, and the pr of bullfinches popped in a few times. Yesterday, 3 greenfinches visited after quite a break. Only one came to a feeder, whilst the male made either a courting or threat display to the third in our alder tree. I've never seen the behaviour before as it crouched down low, with its wings fully stretched and its tail fanned out.
Barry Corless said
Sun Apr 11 9:39 AM, 2021
The snow has attracted my first Siskin of the year to my Norden garden 2 x male, 2 x female
Richard Thew said
Sat Apr 10 2:31 PM, 2021
breaking news!
Blackcap singing from the bottom of my Radcliffe garden.
Ta!
Geoff Walton said
Sat Apr 10 7:58 AM, 2021
A Male Bullfinch late yesterday Afternoon in by back garden. Only the 2nd since starting out High Peak RSPB count last Oct.
Andy Bissitt said
Fri Apr 9 8:55 PM, 2021
3 redpoll still coming to feeders (late afternoon), probably latest record for garden. Just after tea, a chiffchaff visited the acer just outside the front window giving great views from a few feet away. I know that it is a common bird, but it was a first for the front garden and they always excite me! A female bullfinch visited before breakfast (back garden).
paul shaw said
Fri Apr 9 8:40 PM, 2021
I had a Chiffchaff visit my Bredbury garden today, it spent a good 5 minutes having a wash in the bird bath and then drying off in sun, a lovely site to see.
fredford said
Fri Apr 9 7:59 AM, 2021
Bury . More carrion crow action . As I watched the birds in the garden , one of those small , black poobags was blown into a branch of a sycamore , thirty feet up . Soon , a carrion crow alighted on the branch , nearby and regarded the bag for a little while , before launching an attack upon it , legs extended , cawing loudly . The movement of the branch caused the bag to blow away . Carrion crow remained a little longer , no doubt congratulating himself on another intruder seen off .
Richard Thew said
Thu Apr 8 3:51 PM, 2021
We have a pair of Robins nesting in my Radcliffe garden, they are in an open fronted nest box that has been left empty for a number of years. Shows patience is sometimes needed before they are discovered or taken up.
However, this may have put the Great tits off as since the Robins have established their nest, no further activity of the great tits has been seen? - especially since their potential nest box was only a few feet away! But we shall wait and see!!
Also, over the weekend, work was carried out by one of the neighbours, so only the bravest birds were coming. This has pushed some of my Lesser redpolls towards Elton, but I still have 3 or 4 coming regular. Also, upto 7 Greenfinch, around 6 Goldfinch, 4 Bullfinch and the Chaffinch with bad feet.
Apart from that, nothing else has changed.
Last night, I heard what sounded like a Black tailed godwit flying over, pity I couldn't see him as it was pitch black.
Ta!
fredford said
Thu Apr 8 5:19 AM, 2021
Bury . Yesterday two hen pheasant and a carrion crow feeding in the longer grass on the edge of the lawn . A squirrel approaches and joins them , obviously unseen by the crow who is startled and jumps into the air . In revenge he creeps up behind the squirrel and pulls his tail , several times . Hilarious . Now two pairs of bullfinch on the feeders along with goldfinch , lesser redpoll , coal great and blue tit , chaffinch and , occasionally , greenfinch . Later a sparrowhawk zooms in and takes a great tit . Moorhen continues to visit .
steven burke said
Wed Apr 7 11:44 PM, 2021
Just as I stepped out of my old Trafford House this evening to walk the dog at 10.20pm I could hear common scoter calling overhead. No more were heard in the next 20 minutes of my walk with the dog.
A pair of chaffinch have been regularly visiting my feeders over the last couple of weeks.
fredford said
Mon Apr 5 5:15 PM, 2021
Bury . Two firsts today . A jackdaw landed in the cedar and watched the carrion crows feeding on the lawn . After ten minutes he decided to have a go himself , with some success . A little later I was alerted to a series of loud ,sharp, single squawks and was surprised to see a moorhen making them . Never heard them call in this way previously . Meanwhile , blackbird building nest in ivy on the silver birch . Another visit from the treecreeper .
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Apr 4 9:01 PM, 2021
2 redpoll on feeder today (3 earlier in the week) - they will be back this week I'm certain. Also nuthatch once today. A siskin flew SE over the house as I left it this p.m.
dave broome said
Sun Apr 4 11:43 AM, 2021
A Skylark was in song over home this morning, drifting over the estate from nearby farmland. At 11:25 an Osprey appeared over Mosley Common, circling quite low as it was mobbed by two Lesser Black-Backed Gull, gaining height over the ridge at Parr Brow and heading off NNE. I can concentrate on the jobs in the garden now!
Later birds included a circling Buzzard, 1 Lapwing south and a calling Oystercatcher SW. Occasional Meadow Pipit were heading NW until late morning.
-- Edited by dave broome on Sunday 4th of April 2021 01:04:34 PM
Lez Fairclough said
Sat Apr 3 9:55 PM, 2021
My first Hobby of the year passed over early this afternoon heading north & a Goldcrest was flitting around a hawthorn
tree to the rear of my garden. No sign yet of the Nuthatch from last year on the feeders.
So nice though just to relax in the sun in the garden & watch & listen to wildlife especially birds - you can't beat it!
P.S. they've forecast snow & frost for Monday!
Richard Thew said
Sat Apr 3 10:16 AM, 2021
The blackbird seems to have changed her mind in my Radcliffe garden where she was nesting as she has been going into a different shrub. Nothing else has so far changed.
But, what prompted me to post an update is my Lesser redpolls as this is officially the longest they have ever stayed with a minimum of at least x6 this morning. Normally they would have departed by now but I've a feeling it may be down to the cold snap being a possibility?? As I type, I can hear a Goldcrest singing from the front and a male Bullfinch just arriving on a feeder.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Saturday 3rd of April 2021 10:17:07 AM
fredford said
Sat Apr 3 7:49 AM, 2021
Bury . Pair of suspicious-looking carrion crows land in a small sycamore adjacent to larger beeches , which hold the rookery . They pretend they are simply looking into the distance . Several minutes later they fly , gingerly , into the beeches and are immediately chased off by rooks . Pied wagtail , now a pair , return repeatedly to feed on the lawn. No sight of sparrowhawk for several days. Grrenfinch , lesser redpoll , goldfinch on feeders .
fredford said
Fri Apr 2 8:03 AM, 2021
Bury . Pied wagtail , stock dove , collared dove , pheasants on lawn . Treecreeper in apple tree .
fredford said
Wed Mar 31 7:22 AM, 2021
Bury . First blackcap heard only . Also heard green woodpecker from next door. It would be good if you could state location of your garden when reporting . Lots of wing waving from dunnocks , blue tits examining a box , male blackbirds reduced to four , from eight or nine , newly-arrived drake mallard on pond . Sparrowhawk, female , frantically searching in a dense yew bush for prey, flushed a blue tit and pursued it around and around the bush before giving up . She then took to stalking around and under the bushes , on the ground , with that peculiar , determined gait they have , finally perching on a stone for ten minutes before departing , empty-handed . Never seen this behaviour previously. Not seen the grey heron for several days . Greenfinch reappeared , very briefly , on the feeders .
Lez Fairclough said
Tue Mar 30 10:13 PM, 2021
Interesting tussle late afternoon between 2 Peregrines & female Sparrowhawk which refused to be intimidated, but finally after 10 minutes of aerial shenanigans one of the Peregrines dive bombed the Sparrowhawk from much higher at break neck speed, much like how they make a kill - the speed of the descent was awesome & finally spooked the Sparrowhawk into making a hasty exit.
Graham Smith said
Tue Mar 30 3:46 PM, 2021
5 Buzzards over me in Wythenshawe
pete berry said
Tue Mar 30 10:53 AM, 2021
A singing Chiffchaff at the bottom of the garden this morning.
Simon Warford said
Mon Mar 29 8:47 PM, 2021
Both wintering Blackcaps still in our Bolton garden today. I thought the male would have left by now as he wasnt seen for a day or so but he's still here as of 6.30pm tonight. Last year the males last day was 26th March and the females last day was 6th April.
Lez Fairclough said
Mon Mar 29 7:12 PM, 2021
A very unexpected addition to my garden bird list this afternoon at 4pm was an Osprey only about 150 ft up drifting east towards Astley - wasn't quick enough to get the camera out though!
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Mar 28 9:27 PM, 2021
A chiffchaff popped in briefly just after 5.00 p.m. Probably sussing out its food sources for when the weather turns bad later in the week. Bullfinches (usually a pair), a solitary redpoll, and nuthatch still dining occasionally.
Richard Thew said
Sun Mar 28 4:24 PM, 2021
Some of the finches have now moved on from my Radcliffe garden, but activity now includes:
Blackbird now officially nesting in the ivy Dunnock appears to be nesting in the shrubs The great tits still can't make their minds up yet but have been a little more serious about using my nest box.
Lesser redpolls are averaging between 6-8 A Chaffinch has been singing and a female was seen too. House sparrows are occasionally arguing amongst themselves and feeding from the fat balls Goldfinch and greenfinch averaging around 6-8, simular to the redpolls
Ta!
pete berry said
Sat Mar 27 2:26 PM, 2021
Up to 8 Redpoll at any one time on the feeders this afternoon including a few stonking plumage males(unfortunately not the one I took a pic of) also plenty of Goldfinch and a few Greenfinch making regular visits. 3 Buzzards over the garden in one thermal, and the Kestrel again hunting in fields behind the house. A Great Spotted Woodpecker on the fat blocks ,and a Nuthatch calling in next doors trees.
Bury . Pair of oystercatchers over . Pair of bullfinch every day , they now prefer to feed on the fallen seeds rather than the feeders . Carrion crows nesting nearby ,take scraps from the lawn , alongside blackbirds . Cock pheasant with his two hens , much flapping and calling . Goldfinch numbers have reduced . Greenfinches have disappeared , again , after returning two weeks ago . Wood pigeon , collared doves .
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 25th of March 2021 08:39:12 AM
Lez Fairclough said
Wed Mar 24 7:33 PM, 2021
Hour & half mid afternoon sat out in the garden whilst nice - 22 Species seen.
On or around feeders :- Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Robin, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Great Tit, House Sparrow.
Trees to rear of Garden :- Wren, Long-Tailed Tit, Goldfinch & the returning Chiffchaff (pic attached).
I've had a visit from two siskin in my Radcliffe garden. I carefully grabbed my camera but sadly, due to disturbance from the neighbours, they flew off. It was very unfortunate timing.
At least I got to see them though.
Ta!
RachelLiBrabin said
Tue Mar 23 11:52 AM, 2021
In our Salford garden this morning - a first for us
Male & Female Siskin on the sunflower/peanut kibbles feeder - so nice to see. (did get an image but only on phone through window so not good enough to upload)
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
House Sparrows collecting nesting material from newly scarified lawn.
Wood Pigeons
Collared Doves
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Magpies.
Feral Pigeon.
Sparrowhawk flying over garden (spent a lot of time in our garden up until the last few weeks, plenty of evidence, usually in the form of a pigeon carcass)
A very good morning.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 23rd of March 2021 12:59:53 PM
sid ashton said
Mon Mar 22 1:19 PM, 2021
Looks like we have a pair of Coal Tits ready to set up home in our Hale garden.
Nick Hilton said
Sun Mar 21 8:34 PM, 2021
A female Sparrowhawk took a Feral Pigeon under the garden feeder today. When I went out later I discovered the corpse under a shrub, minus one leg and part of the breast.
simon ghilks said
Sun Mar 21 11:00 AM, 2021
21/3/21 Dukinfield
A surprise addition to the garden list this morning, a Rose Ringed Parakeet was on a sunflower feeder for 5mins, it didn't even flinch when the local Jackdaws tried to see it off. Not entirely happy with this, beautiful and spectacular as they are I feel they shouldn't be here. I work in London a fair bit and just this last week I was seeing them regularly flying around in Hackney which is basically an urban sprawl. They are generally the first and sometimes the only bird you hear when working in and around London, I would be amazed if they are not having some sort of affect on the local bird life purely due to the shear abundance of them.
Otherwise it has been a fairly ordinary winter for garden birds, not seen any of the scarcer finches, we have had Redwing occasionally and this week 2 Goldcrest together, one has been using the fat feeder. A Tawny Owl was in a tree just over the fence last night.
paul shaw said
Sat Mar 20 7:15 PM, 2021
Chiffchaff singing in my Bredbury garden, 1st of the Year for me.
Geoff Walton said
Thu Mar 18 10:55 AM, 2021
Male and Female Bullfinch on my feeder tray. First time ever as a pair
Richard Thew said
Mon Mar 15 1:23 PM, 2021
I've had a record 14 Lesser redpolls visiting my Radcliffe garden during last week. Things have tailed off since, with a max of upto 9 and then 6 over the weekend.
Bullfinch x3 or x4 Goldfinch numbers have dropped now as expected this time of year to about x6-8 Greenfinch around ×6-8 also Chaffinch with the bad foot still surviving well, but does appear bad. Dunnock still singing in the shrubs and ivy Great tit still been checking on the nest box. Long tailed tit x2 visited ove the weekend. Blackbird singing away at dusk last night House sparrows singing often in the shrub and eating the suet balls
Plus the usual blue and coal tits, Robin and so forth
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Monday 15th of March 2021 01:24:00 PM
pete berry said
Sun Mar 14 1:55 PM, 2021
A garden first today when a pair of YELLOWHAMMERS turned up on the seed. Still plenty of Goldfinch, up to 3 Redpoll and 6 Greenfinch visiting the feeders,no sign of any Brambling so far today.
Natalie Clarke said
Sun Mar 14 11:38 AM, 2021
My first siskin of the year in my Mum's magnolia tree this morning! A great surprise, very fond of siskin!
Simon Warford said
Sat Mar 13 10:01 PM, 2021
Blackcap update from our Bolton garden.
Both male and female still present daily since last update, interesting dates and observations so far in 2021, as follows-
Female arrived 2nd January Male arrived 22nd January, but was then only seen occaisionally for a week or so, then present every day since 12th Feb upto and including 13th March Female was constantly chasing the male off when he first arrived, but since 12th Feb he is now clearly the dominant bird, constantly chasing her off. Quite an unusual sighting of the male bathing last week, never seen any of the wintering Blackcaps bathing in the bird bath before. Also this week the male has started calling frequently, will be interesting to see if he starts singing soon.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 13th of March 2021 10:06:42 PM
A newly fledged woodpigeon flopped into our garden alder tree this morning. First signs of breeding this year. They don't hang around, do they?
pete berry said
Sat Mar 13 3:42 PM, 2021
A bit of a finch fest this afternoon on the feeders 2 male Brambling (First of winter in garden) Up to 6 Greenfinch (most I've had for several years) 4 Redpoll and up to a dozen Goldfinch at any one time. Also couple of Long Tailed Tits,Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Kestrel hunting the rough ground to rear of garden.
5 redpoll together on front feeders this morning during the worst of the weather.
fredford said
Fri Mar 12 11:15 AM, 2021
Bury . Two curlews calling , over . On my birthday !
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Mar 7 8:40 PM, 2021
4 bullfinches again today, but a different mix (3f 1m) than last time. 1 redpoll hangs on, nuthatch still visiting, and 3 greenfinches always nice to see on the feeders. The best piece of new behaviour I have seen this Winter relates to long-tailed tits. Hardly ever seen using sunflower heart feeders before, they have been regular since Christmas. What is best to behold is their feeding strategy which consists of taking a nut, flying to a twig with it, and hanging upside down with one leg whilst eating the seed from the foot of the other 'free' leg. Truly remarkable.
paul shaw said
Sun Mar 7 9:25 AM, 2021
A pair of Stock Doves were feeding in my Bredbury garden yesterday untill they were seen off by the local Wood Pigeons, a garden 1st for me and interestingly just the other side of Hilltop were Andy Bissitt had one visit his garden a couple of weeks ago. Also a pair of Long Tailed Tits collecting spiders webs from my garage was good to see.
fredford said
Sat Mar 6 4:32 PM, 2021
Bury . Two treecreepers , pair I hope , hunting on the side of the shed . One entered said shed through a hole . Looking for nest site ?
Samglennie said
Sun Feb 28 2:25 PM, 2021
Raven just flew high towards city center over my M16 garden. Also good amounts of Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch and at least 4 Greenfinch.
In and around the front terrace garden have been constant visits from last years Blackbird pair,the male seen carrying food today.
The Robins have also paired up and were feeding together on the crushed Fatballs and dried Mealworms.
Dunnocks have also been visiting eating the food.
The female Dunnock has been seen offering herself to the male in a tree opposite my house a few weeks ago.
A male Dunnock is heard singing daily opposite the garden , as was the male Blackbird, usually at 3:30am before the clocks went forward.
On the feeders still plenty of Goldfinch,and a steady trickle of Redpoll and Greenfinch. A couple of Coal Tits put in an appearance and the usual Great,Blue and Long Tailed Tits in and out all day.
A couple of Kestrels feeding over the rough field beyond the garden,hopefully going to breed nearby again,plus several Buzzards over and a couple of Sparrowhawks thermalling about.
2 redpoll keeping up appearances - can they make it into May? Nuthatch for the first time in a while, and the pr of bullfinches popped in a few times. Yesterday, 3 greenfinches visited after quite a break. Only one came to a feeder, whilst the male made either a courting or threat display to the third in our alder tree. I've never seen the behaviour before as it crouched down low, with its wings fully stretched and its tail fanned out.
Blackcap singing from the bottom of my Radcliffe garden.
Ta!
A Male Bullfinch late yesterday Afternoon in by back garden. Only the 2nd since starting out High Peak RSPB count last Oct.
3 redpoll still coming to feeders (late afternoon), probably latest record for garden. Just after tea, a chiffchaff visited the acer just outside the front window giving great views from a few feet away. I know that it is a common bird, but it was a first for the front garden and they always excite me! A female bullfinch visited before breakfast (back garden).
However, this may have put the Great tits off as since the Robins have established their nest, no further activity of the great tits has been seen? - especially since their potential nest box was only a few feet away! But we shall wait and see!!
Also, over the weekend, work was carried out by one of the neighbours, so only the bravest birds were coming. This has pushed some of my Lesser redpolls towards Elton, but I still have 3 or 4 coming regular. Also, upto 7 Greenfinch, around 6 Goldfinch, 4 Bullfinch and the Chaffinch with bad feet.
Apart from that, nothing else has changed.
Last night, I heard what sounded like a Black tailed godwit flying over, pity I couldn't see him as it was pitch black.
Ta!
Now two pairs of bullfinch on the feeders along with goldfinch , lesser redpoll , coal great and blue tit , chaffinch and , occasionally , greenfinch .
Later a sparrowhawk zooms in and takes a great tit . Moorhen continues to visit .
A pair of chaffinch have been regularly visiting my feeders over the last couple of weeks.
Meanwhile , blackbird building nest in ivy on the silver birch . Another visit from the treecreeper .
2 redpoll on feeder today (3 earlier in the week) - they will be back this week I'm certain. Also nuthatch once today. A siskin flew SE over the house as I left it this p.m.
-- Edited by dave broome on Sunday 4th of April 2021 01:04:34 PM
My first Hobby of the year passed over early this afternoon heading north & a Goldcrest was flitting around a hawthorn
tree to the rear of my garden. No sign yet of the Nuthatch from last year on the feeders.
So nice though just to relax in the sun in the garden & watch & listen to wildlife especially birds - you can't beat it!
P.S. they've forecast snow & frost for Monday!
But, what prompted me to post an update is my Lesser redpolls as this is officially the longest they have ever stayed with a minimum of at least x6 this morning. Normally they would have departed by now but I've a feeling it may be down to the cold snap being a possibility?? As I type, I can hear a Goldcrest singing from the front and a male Bullfinch just arriving on a feeder.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Saturday 3rd of April 2021 10:17:07 AM
Pied wagtail , now a pair , return repeatedly to feed on the lawn. No sight of sparrowhawk for several days. Grrenfinch , lesser redpoll , goldfinch on feeders .
Not seen the grey heron for several days . Greenfinch reappeared , very briefly , on the feeders .
Interesting tussle late afternoon between 2 Peregrines & female Sparrowhawk which refused to be intimidated, but finally after 10 minutes of aerial shenanigans one of the Peregrines dive bombed the Sparrowhawk from much higher at break neck speed, much like how they make a kill - the speed of the descent was awesome & finally spooked the Sparrowhawk into making a hasty exit.
A very unexpected addition to my garden bird list this afternoon at 4pm was an Osprey only about 150 ft up drifting east towards Astley - wasn't quick enough to get the camera out though!
A chiffchaff popped in briefly just after 5.00 p.m. Probably sussing out its food sources for when the weather turns bad later in the week. Bullfinches (usually a pair), a solitary redpoll, and nuthatch still dining occasionally.
Blackbird now officially nesting in the ivy
Dunnock appears to be nesting in the shrubs
The great tits still can't make their minds up yet but have been a little more serious about using my nest box.
Lesser redpolls are averaging between 6-8
A Chaffinch has been singing and a female was seen too.
House sparrows are occasionally arguing amongst themselves and feeding from the fat balls
Goldfinch and greenfinch averaging around 6-8, simular to the redpolls
Ta!
3 Buzzards over the garden in one thermal, and the Kestrel again hunting in fields behind the house.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker on the fat blocks ,and a Nuthatch calling in next doors trees.
Bury . Pair of oystercatchers over . Pair of bullfinch every day , they now prefer to feed on the fallen seeds rather than the feeders . Carrion crows nesting nearby ,take scraps from the lawn , alongside blackbirds . Cock pheasant with his two hens , much flapping and calling . Goldfinch numbers have reduced . Greenfinches have disappeared , again , after returning two weeks ago . Wood pigeon , collared doves .
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 25th of March 2021 08:39:12 AM
Hour & half mid afternoon sat out in the garden whilst nice - 22 Species seen.
On or around feeders :- Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Robin, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Great Tit, House Sparrow.
Trees to rear of Garden :- Wren, Long-Tailed Tit, Goldfinch & the returning Chiffchaff (pic attached).
Passing over :- Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Pied Wagtail, Peregrine, Feral Pigeon, B.H. Gull, Teal & Mallard.
Daily visits to our garden in Standish by a pair of bullfinches over the last couple of months , siskins and 2 female blackcaps in the past week
At least I got to see them though.
Ta!
In our Salford garden this morning - a first for us
Male & Female Siskin on the sunflower/peanut kibbles feeder - so nice to see. (did get an image but only on phone through window so not good enough to upload)
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
House Sparrows collecting nesting material from newly scarified lawn.
Wood Pigeons
Collared Doves
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Magpies.
Feral Pigeon.
Sparrowhawk flying over garden (spent a lot of time in our garden up until the last few weeks, plenty of evidence, usually in the form of a pigeon carcass)
A very good morning.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 23rd of March 2021 12:59:53 PM
Looks like we have a pair of Coal Tits ready to set up home in our Hale garden.
A surprise addition to the garden list this morning, a Rose Ringed Parakeet was on a sunflower feeder for 5mins, it didn't even flinch when the local Jackdaws tried to see it off. Not entirely happy with this, beautiful and spectacular as they are I feel they shouldn't be here. I work in London a fair bit and just this last week I was seeing them regularly flying around in Hackney which is basically an urban sprawl. They are generally the first and sometimes the only bird you hear when working in and around London, I would be amazed if they are not having some sort of affect on the local bird life purely due to the shear abundance of them.
Otherwise it has been a fairly ordinary winter for garden birds, not seen any of the scarcer finches, we have had Redwing occasionally and this week 2 Goldcrest together, one has been using the fat feeder. A Tawny Owl was in a tree just over the fence last night.
Male and Female Bullfinch on my feeder tray. First time ever as a pair
Bullfinch x3 or x4
Goldfinch numbers have dropped now as expected this time of year to about x6-8
Greenfinch around ×6-8 also
Chaffinch with the bad foot still surviving well, but does appear bad.
Dunnock still singing in the shrubs and ivy
Great tit still been checking on the nest box.
Long tailed tit x2 visited ove the weekend.
Blackbird singing away at dusk last night
House sparrows singing often in the shrub and eating the suet balls
Plus the usual blue and coal tits, Robin and so forth
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Monday 15th of March 2021 01:24:00 PM
Still plenty of Goldfinch, up to 3 Redpoll and 6 Greenfinch visiting the feeders,no sign of any Brambling so far today.
My first siskin of the year in my Mum's magnolia tree this morning! A great surprise, very fond of siskin!
Both male and female still present daily since last update, interesting dates and observations so far in 2021, as follows-
Female arrived 2nd January
Male arrived 22nd January, but was then only seen occaisionally for a week or so, then present every day since 12th Feb upto and including 13th March
Female was constantly chasing the male off when he first arrived, but since 12th Feb he is now clearly the dominant bird, constantly chasing her off.
Quite an unusual sighting of the male bathing last week, never seen any of the wintering Blackcaps bathing in the bird bath before.
Also this week the male has started calling frequently, will be interesting to see if he starts singing soon.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Saturday 13th of March 2021 10:06:42 PM
A newly fledged woodpigeon flopped into our garden alder tree this morning. First signs of breeding this year. They don't hang around, do they?
2 male Brambling (First of winter in garden)
Up to 6 Greenfinch (most I've had for several years)
4 Redpoll
and up to a dozen Goldfinch at any one time.
Also couple of Long Tailed Tits,Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Kestrel hunting the rough ground to rear of garden.
5 redpoll together on front feeders this morning during the worst of the weather.
4 bullfinches again today, but a different mix (3f 1m) than last time. 1 redpoll hangs on, nuthatch still visiting, and 3 greenfinches always nice to see on the feeders. The best piece of new behaviour I have seen this Winter relates to long-tailed tits. Hardly ever seen using sunflower heart feeders before, they have been regular since Christmas. What is best to behold is their feeding strategy which consists of taking a nut, flying to a twig with it, and hanging upside down with one leg whilst eating the seed from the foot of the other 'free' leg. Truly remarkable.