Another garden first this afternoon with a male blackcap lurking amongst the tit flock.
Just need my annual February Siskin to turn up now
steven burke said
Tue Feb 12 7:48 PM, 2013
Just been topping up my feeders in my old trafford garden and 16 waxwings flying over heading east
Jon Beckett said
Tue Feb 12 1:33 AM, 2013
We've had a female Goldcrest in the garden every day for over a month now, she loves the suet. Also got a regular long tailed tit with no tail!
Gary Ingram said
Tue Feb 12 12:56 AM, 2013
Hindley garden 2 Goldfinch on and off feeders most of the day until her in doors made me power wash the conservatory
Karen Foulkes said
Mon Feb 11 3:54 AM, 2013
This morning a lone Fieldfare flew across the back of the garden calling.
Phil Owen said
Mon Feb 11 3:27 AM, 2013
A rather unusual sighting during the week was a Treecreeper in my parents garden in Newall Green, Wythenshawe.
It flew in amongst a Tit flock which reguarly visit the feeders and spent a few minutes searching the Pear tree for insects before flying off.
Dave Colton said
Mon Feb 11 2:48 AM, 2013
Heyside, Royton.
Two Siskin on the Nijer feeder this morning, only the second garden sighting in 7 years living here.
Well chuffed!
Gary Ingram said
Sun Feb 10 11:50 PM, 2013
Hindley Garden this morning
2 Collared Dove 2 Woodpigeon 2 Robin 2 blue tit 1 Great tit 1 Chaffinch 1 Wren 4 Goldfinch finally Back on the feeders after disappearing for a few weeks-glad to see their ok
Gary Ingram said
Sun Feb 10 11:44 PM, 2013
Thanks for the confidence boost Tim-4 Goldfinch Returned to my Garden this Morning
Jon Bowen said
Sun Feb 10 7:03 PM, 2013
Andy Having been royally entertained this afternoon by 3 robins chasing each other and various finches and tits around the garden I have to agree. I'm not sure which of the 3 are coming out on top, but I look forward to watch the drama unfolding in the coming days....
Andy Bissitt wrote:
Is anyone else having trouble with feisty robins? I know they are somewhat aggressive, especially towards their own kind, but I don't think I've ever seen one as pugnacious as this years bird. He is single handedly keeping all the house sparrows (half a dozen at a time) off the main seed feeder. I've also seen it chase off dunnocks feeding on the ground, and a blue tit or two. This morning, I even heard a bird give an alarm call as it flew in, and everything scattered: they are that scared of it!. To be honest, it is a pest, but you have to laugh.
-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Sunday 10th of February 2013 08:29:03 PM
Chris Smith said
Sun Feb 10 6:15 PM, 2013
2 mistle thrushes feeding on the ground this morning on meal worms that I threw out there early doors
graeme robertson said
Sun Feb 10 6:19 AM, 2013
for the last four years we have a pair of mallards visiting the garden this they arrived today. Dont think they breed as they spend somuch time in our garden going to make a duck house ( dont have goverment expence account ) see if they will breed .
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Feb 10 4:50 AM, 2013
Is anyone else having trouble with feisty robins? I know they are somewhat aggressive, especially towards their own kind, but I don't think I've ever seen one as pugnacious as this years bird. He is single handedly keeping all the house sparrows (half a dozen at a time) off the main seed feeder. I've also seen it chase off dunnocks feeding on the ground, and a blue tit or two. This morning, I even heard a bird give an alarm call as it flew in, and everything scattered: they are that scared of it!. To be honest, it is a pest, but you have to laugh.
Graham Smith said
Sun Feb 10 3:17 AM, 2013
Up to 60 Waxwings in garden this morning lovely surprise a lifer for me
Karen Foulkes said
Sun Feb 10 2:50 AM, 2013
A Goldcrest was present briefly in the garden this afternoon, before it flew into our neighbour's garden. Only my second record of this species in the garden
Mark Walsh said
Sun Feb 10 1:26 AM, 2013
A brief look before I went into work this morning (a personal project as I try and keep my weekends free )
A very nice surprise of 5 Siskin (2m and 3f) 6 - 7 Goldfinch 5 Chaffinch (2m and 3f) Blackbirds attacking my fatballs 1 lone Long tailed Tit which is a little unusual as they normally pass through the garden in a small flock.
Mark
Jon Bowen said
Sat Feb 9 6:35 PM, 2013
A couple of firsts for the year today for my Horwich garden 4 Goldfinch 1 Reed Bunting
of the more regular visitors of note 1 Grey Heron 1 Moorhen 7 Long Tailed Tits
plus lots of regular stuff
JasonAtkinson said
Sat Feb 9 12:38 PM, 2013
Just got home to 1 male Siskin and a flock of Waxwings (c.30-40) over my Heald Green garden.
Update: 2 Siskin and 2 Waxwing in the garden.
Cheers Jason
-- Edited by JasonAtkinson on Saturday 9th of February 2013 01:08:47 PM
Tim Roberts said
Sat Feb 9 12:46 AM, 2013
Gary Ingram wrote:
Hindley Garden very quiet this morning
2 Woodpigeon 2 Bluetits
Niger feeder remains untouch after a week. No Sign of my Goldfinches Any ideas how long niger keeps in a feeder before needing changing?
I filled our feeders before Xmas and went away for 3+ weeks. On return the seed (incl niger) had hardly been touched. Then a couple of days later - mid-Jan - a sudden rush, featuring several goldfinch, cleaned them out.
Mike c cooper said
Fri Feb 8 11:44 PM, 2013
Hop wood Blackcap fem still visiting regularly
Gary Ingram said
Fri Feb 8 10:14 PM, 2013
Hindley Garden very quiet this morning
2 Woodpigeon 2 Bluetits
Niger feeder remains untouch after a week. No Sign of my Goldfinches Any ideas how long niger keeps in a feeder before needing changing?
Sean Molloy said
Fri Feb 8 5:16 PM, 2013
Andy Bissitt wrote:
Sean,
They were, but since Monday's snow things have been quite busy. Redpolls varying between 3 and 7, 1 to 3 goldfinches (are not in their usual numbers). Best has been long-tailed tits which have begun to visit the fat-block since the weekend (up to 6). Also eating nyjer seed I've been told. Long-tailed tits are very scarce usually, passing through at best. It is very obvious though that chaffinches and blue tits need a very good forthcoming breeding season as they are way down on the norm this winter.
Hmm, well I hope things pick up near me soon too then! I definitely think many of our breeding birds are still reeling from last years terrible breeding season, fingers crossed they do better this year.
Andy Bissitt said
Fri Feb 8 5:09 AM, 2013
Sean,
They were, but since Monday's snow things have been quite busy. Redpolls varying between 3 and 7, 1 to 3 goldfinches (are not in their usual numbers). Best has been long-tailed tits which have begun to visit the fat-block since the weekend (up to 6). Also eating nyjer seed I've been told. Long-tailed tits are very scarce usually, passing through at best. It is very obvious though that chaffinches and blue tits need a very good forthcoming breeding season as they are way down on the norm this winter.
Sean Molloy said
Fri Feb 8 3:13 AM, 2013
Is anyone else's feeders quiet at the moment? I was wondering how the cold snap we've had recently might have affected the local birds as the usual roaming flocks of Goldfinch on my estate seem to have disappeared completely!
Graham Smith said
Thu Feb 7 12:09 AM, 2013
No birds on feeders the reason being a male Sparrowhawk sat in a tree overlooking the feeders
sid ashton said
Mon Feb 4 10:46 PM, 2013
Three Siskin, the first of winter in our Hale garden this afternoon
Bill Myerscough said
Sun Feb 3 12:21 AM, 2013
2nd February.
The sound of high summer in my Chadderton garden late this afternoon with a Starling doing a very passable impression of a Swift in flight!
Cheers,
Bill.
Mark Walsh said
Sat Feb 2 11:22 PM, 2013
Sadly no Bullfinch seen since Jan the 9th but today we had our first Siskin of the year, a rather showy male on the nyjer and then on the bird bath.
Usual goldfinchs, chaffinch's, coal tit's etc.
Mike c cooper said
Sat Feb 2 6:42 PM, 2013
Hop wood 2/2 10:30 Fem Blackcap after a gap of 2 weeks
Lawson Dauer said
Wed Jan 30 10:14 PM, 2013
Highlight of this morning in my Middleton garden, was (briefly) a first bullfinch in over two years.
JasonAtkinson said
Sun Jan 27 3:23 AM, 2013
A nice mornings ringing in my Heald Green garden before the match. Highlights being : 4 adult male Blackbirds and a 1w female Grey Wagtail.
Cheers Jason
Gary Ingram said
Sun Jan 27 3:06 AM, 2013
Hindley Garden
2 Collared Doves 2 Great tits 2 Blue tits 1 Coal tit 1 Robin 1 Blackbird
David Lumb said
Sun Jan 27 1:31 AM, 2013
After digging myself out and taking twice as long to get a newspaper I decided to to stock up the feeders and bird table for the Big Garden Birdwatch instead of struggling around the reservoirs.
2 Woodpigeons 2 Collared Doves 1 Wren (appeared a few days ago after months without one) 3 Dunnocks 1 Robin 3 Blackbirds 1 Mistle Thrush 1 Coal Tit 2 Blue Tits 2 Great Tits 2 Magpies 2 Jackdaws 1 Carrion Crow 7 House Sparrows (highest count for a while) 1 Goldfinch 3 Greenfinches
Bill Myerscough said
Sat Jan 26 7:25 PM, 2013
26th January.
Goldcrest singing in the vicinity of my Chadderton garden this morning and Collared Dove seen carrying nesting material yesterday. We may still be in the grip of winter but minds are already turning to other matters.
Cheers,
Bill.
Jon Bowen said
Sat Jan 26 6:07 PM, 2013
Song Thrush 1st thing this morning and a garden 1st Carrion Crow (excluding flyovers)
Chris Greene said
Sat Jan 26 3:42 PM, 2013
First Song Thrush we've seen in our Stockport garden, for over 18 months...briefly visited yesterday pm...eating apple chunks. Still an uncanny absence of tits and finches though, since before Christmas.
Cheers Chris
Chris Greene said
Sat Jan 26 3:39 PM, 2013
First Song Thrush we've seen in our Stockport garden, for over 18 months...briefly visited yesterday pm...eating apple chunks. Still an uncanny absence of tits and finches though, since before Christmas.
Cheers Chris
Jason Dulhanty said
Fri Jan 25 7:34 PM, 2013
Greenfinch singing in my Swinton garden. Cheers Jay Don't twitch and drive.
simon ghilks said
Fri Jan 25 6:55 PM, 2013
From 1 last week, 2 yesterday to 3 today, very nervous Siskins in Dukinfield garden. Goldcrest, Nuthatch, male and female Great Spotted Woodpeckers also regular visitors at the moment.
dave broome said
Wed Jan 23 7:07 PM, 2013
Not far from Scotman's Flash, Wigan, today 8 Fieldfare, 1 Blackbird and a Mistle Thrush were feeding on and around a Cotoneaster in a small garden in Hawkley Hall. Mostly the Fieldfare were feeding on fallen berries. Whenever one went on to the Cotoneaster the Blackbird tried, sometimes unsuccessfully, to chase them off.
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 23rd of January 2013 09:38:08 PM
Michael Willett said
Wed Jan 23 3:44 PM, 2013
Had a female blackcap in my Irlam garden for the first time ever!
Jon Bowen said
Wed Jan 23 5:31 AM, 2013
Horwich Garden:
1st Song Thrush for 18 months 2 Bullfinches (1M 1F) - 1st of the year 1 Willow Tit 1 Coal Tit 6 Blackbirds (5M 1F) 2 Moorhen 2 Jay 2 Woodpigeon 5 Great Tit 3 Blue Tit 11 Log Tailed Tit 6 Chaffinch
David Lumb said
Wed Jan 23 1:48 AM, 2013
Went out fill the bird table this morning and surprisingly heard a Skylark. It immediately it appeared from the side of the house at roof top height being chased by another little brown job, either a Dunnock or Robin, not liking this unusual visitor on it's territory. They flew off rapidly towards the centre of Bromley Cross.
Dale Thomas said
Tue Jan 22 5:42 AM, 2013
Summit, Heywood - 21/01/2013
Blackbirds 3 Blue tit 1 Bullfinch 1 Coal tit 2 Collared dove 7 Dunnock 1 Goldfinch 2 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Great tit 3 Jay 4 (first time i've seen that many together in the garden) Long tailed tit 9 Magpie 4 Nuthatch 1 Redwing 9 (in trees behind garden) Robin 2 Starling 25 Woodpigeon 2
Alan Flavell said
Mon Jan 21 7:13 PM, 2013
In my Whitefield garden 11.00a.m.
Blackbirds 6 Mistle Thrush 1 Fieldfare 1 (the first for many years) Starlings 5 Goldfinches 10 Bullfinch 1 plus Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, feral Pigeons and Robin
Helen Andrews said
Mon Jan 21 3:50 AM, 2013
Song thrush two days running now - a rare bird for my central Rochdale garden. Two jackdaws yesterday were a bit of a surprise. And two mistle thrushes on the roof of the house opposite. Otherwise the normal greenfinches, bullfinches, chaffinches, goldfinches, blackbirds, dunnock, robin (two together yesterday), great tits, blue tits & nuthatch. Oh - & three pesky wood pigeon. 6 or 7 long tailed tits were nice to see also.
David Lumb said
Mon Jan 21 3:32 AM, 2013
Pair of Greenfinches in my Bromley Cross garden this morning. Regular birds were scarce today.
22 Herring Gulls flying over, a very unusual species around here.
Paul Heaton said
Sun Jan 20 8:53 PM, 2013
2 Coal tits 3 Goldcrest/ plus thrushes etc. on feeders in garden in Sale.
Lawson Dauer said
Sun Jan 20 12:44 PM, 2013
Two mistle thrushes gorging themselves on sliced apple pieces in my Middleton garden earlier this morning - beautiful to watch and study.
-- Edited by Lawson Dauer on Sunday 20th of January 2013 01:04:44 PM
Bill Myerscough said
Sun Jan 20 2:55 AM, 2013
Small influx of late of birds not normally seen in my Chadderton garden, except in cold weather conditions.
2 Song Thrush on 17/1 feeding on left-over quartered black grapes! They fed quite well despite being bullied by the Blackbirds! At least 1 has visited on the following 2 days. Today 19/1 - 2 Mistle Thrush feeding on quartered apples. It was nice to see them giving the Blackbirds a taste of their own medicine by chasing them away from the food! I'm certainly trying to make sure that my garden birds get their recommended 5 portions of fruit/veg each day! Interesting to note that both of these thrushes might appear to be paired up already, as they seem to come in and leave together. Probably the long mild spell of weather has lured them into pairing up before this more recent spell of harsher conditions?
The Blackbirds have increased to about 15 in my small back garden and they just about manage to get along if the food is well spread out. They do appear to be a bit stressed out , though as when numbers build up some make that familiar low-pitched "chook" sound. Birds of the Western Palearctic suggest that this call "Expresses mild alarm or protest; given by birds in unfamiliar or insecure situations." Think they'll get even more insecure now they have got both Song and Mistle Thrush to tolerate...at least until the weather turns a bit milder!
Just need my annual February Siskin to turn up now
2 Goldfinch on and off feeders most of the day until her in doors made me power wash the conservatory
It flew in amongst a Tit flock which reguarly visit the feeders and spent a few minutes searching the Pear tree for insects before flying off.
Two Siskin on the Nijer feeder this morning, only the second garden sighting in 7 years living here.
Well chuffed!
2 Collared Dove
2 Woodpigeon
2 Robin
2 blue tit
1 Great tit
1 Chaffinch
1 Wren
4 Goldfinch finally Back on the feeders after disappearing for a few weeks-glad to see their ok
Having been royally entertained this afternoon by 3 robins chasing each other and various finches and tits around the garden I have to agree. I'm not sure which of the 3 are coming out on top, but I look forward to watch the drama unfolding in the coming days....
-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Sunday 10th of February 2013 08:29:03 PM
Dont think they breed as they spend somuch time in our garden going to make a duck house
( dont have goverment expence account ) see if they will breed
.
A very nice surprise of 5 Siskin (2m and 3f)
6 - 7 Goldfinch
5 Chaffinch (2m and 3f)
Blackbirds attacking my fatballs
1 lone Long tailed Tit which is a little unusual as they normally pass through the garden in a small flock.
Mark
4 Goldfinch
1 Reed Bunting
of the more regular visitors of note
1 Grey Heron
1 Moorhen
7 Long Tailed Tits
plus lots of regular stuff
Update: 2 Siskin and 2 Waxwing in the garden.
Cheers
Jason
-- Edited by JasonAtkinson on Saturday 9th of February 2013 01:08:47 PM
I filled our feeders before Xmas and went away for 3+ weeks. On return the seed (incl niger) had hardly been touched. Then a couple of days later - mid-Jan - a sudden rush, featuring several goldfinch, cleaned them out.
Blackcap fem still visiting regularly
2 Woodpigeon
2 Bluetits
Niger feeder remains untouch after a week. No Sign of my Goldfinches
Any ideas how long niger keeps in a feeder before needing changing?
Hmm, well I hope things pick up near me soon too then! I definitely think many of our breeding birds are still reeling from last years terrible breeding season, fingers crossed they do better this year.
They were, but since Monday's snow things have been quite busy. Redpolls varying between 3 and 7, 1 to 3 goldfinches (are not in their usual numbers). Best has been long-tailed tits which have begun to visit the fat-block since the weekend (up to 6). Also eating nyjer seed I've been told. Long-tailed tits are very scarce usually, passing through at best. It is very obvious though that chaffinches and blue tits need a very good forthcoming breeding season as they are way down on the norm this winter.
The sound of high summer in my Chadderton garden late this afternoon with a Starling doing a very passable impression of a Swift in flight!
Cheers,
Bill.
Usual goldfinchs, chaffinch's, coal tit's etc.
Fem Blackcap after a gap of 2 weeks
Highlights being :
4 adult male Blackbirds and a 1w female Grey Wagtail.
Cheers
Jason
2 Collared Doves
2 Great tits
2 Blue tits
1 Coal tit
1 Robin
1 Blackbird
2 Woodpigeons
2 Collared Doves
1 Wren (appeared a few days ago after months without one)
3 Dunnocks
1 Robin
3 Blackbirds
1 Mistle Thrush
1 Coal Tit
2 Blue Tits
2 Great Tits
2 Magpies
2 Jackdaws
1 Carrion Crow
7 House Sparrows (highest count for a while)
1 Goldfinch
3 Greenfinches
Goldcrest singing in the vicinity of my Chadderton garden this morning and Collared Dove seen carrying nesting material yesterday. We may still be in the grip of winter but minds are already turning to other matters.
Cheers,
Bill.
Still an uncanny absence of tits and finches though, since before Christmas.
Cheers Chris
Still an uncanny absence of tits and finches though, since before Christmas.
Cheers Chris
Cheers Jay
Don't twitch and drive.
From 1 last week, 2 yesterday to 3 today, very nervous Siskins in Dukinfield garden.
Goldcrest, Nuthatch, male and female Great Spotted Woodpeckers also regular visitors at the moment.
-- Edited by dave broome on Wednesday 23rd of January 2013 09:38:08 PM
1st Song Thrush for 18 months
2 Bullfinches (1M 1F) - 1st of the year
1 Willow Tit
1 Coal Tit
6 Blackbirds (5M 1F)
2 Moorhen
2 Jay
2 Woodpigeon
5 Great Tit
3 Blue Tit
11 Log Tailed Tit
6 Chaffinch
Blackbirds 3
Blue tit 1
Bullfinch 1
Coal tit 2
Collared dove 7
Dunnock 1
Goldfinch 2
Great spotted woodpecker 1
Great tit 3
Jay 4 (first time i've seen that many together in the garden)
Long tailed tit 9
Magpie 4
Nuthatch 1
Redwing 9 (in trees behind garden)
Robin 2
Starling 25
Woodpigeon 2
11.00a.m.
Blackbirds 6
Mistle Thrush 1
Fieldfare 1 (the first for many years)
Starlings 5
Goldfinches 10
Bullfinch 1
plus Blue Tits, Great Tits, Magpies, feral Pigeons and Robin
Otherwise the normal greenfinches, bullfinches, chaffinches, goldfinches, blackbirds, dunnock, robin (two together yesterday), great tits, blue tits & nuthatch. Oh - & three pesky wood pigeon.
6 or 7 long tailed tits were nice to see also.
22 Herring Gulls flying over, a very unusual species around here.
3 Goldcrest/ plus thrushes etc. on feeders in garden in Sale.
-- Edited by Lawson Dauer on Sunday 20th of January 2013 01:04:44 PM
2 Song Thrush on 17/1 feeding on left-over quartered black grapes! They fed quite well despite being bullied by the Blackbirds! At least 1 has visited on the following 2 days. Today 19/1 - 2 Mistle Thrush feeding on quartered apples. It was nice to see them giving the Blackbirds a taste of their own medicine by chasing them away from the food! I'm certainly trying to make sure that my garden birds get their recommended 5 portions of fruit/veg each day! Interesting to note that both of these thrushes might appear to be paired up already, as they seem to come in and leave together. Probably the long mild spell of weather has lured them into pairing up before this more recent spell of harsher conditions?
The Blackbirds have increased to about 15 in my small back garden and they just about manage to get along if the food is well spread out. They do appear to be a bit stressed out , though as when numbers build up some make that familiar low-pitched "chook" sound. Birds of the Western Palearctic suggest that this call "Expresses mild alarm or protest; given by birds in unfamiliar or insecure situations." Think they'll get even more insecure now they have got both Song and Mistle Thrush to tolerate...at least until the weather turns a bit milder!
Cheers,
Bill.