fredford wrote: What sort of mealworms can a wren eat? I use live mini mealworms from LivefoodDirect, this is what's also keeping my grey wagtail coming. I also sparingly give a couple of waxworms with them too and the Tits are addicted to them. It makes me laugh everytime just to watch them. It's only by chance the wren has found the supply which I put them in a former caged feeder only I've removed the centre piece and put a small bowl in it's place. Only the small birds can get to it, the starlings have tried and failed- they have their own feeding spot. Hope this helps Ta!

-- Edited by Richard Thew on Wednesday 20th of December 2017 02:57:08 PM

What sort of mealworms can a wren eat?

Chaffinch again outnumbering our usual Goldfinch. Around 12.30 today, there were at least 8 regularly at the hearts feeder including 5 males.
The birds usually pause on next doors Tulip Tree before crossing the fence to our feeders.
I enjoyed watching these as on an earlier visit today, to Rumworth Dam, I drew a complete blank.

3 siskin returned today as mild weather did also. It's a paradox really, since it turned cold the number (and variety) of garden birds dropped away (not even nuthatch was seen). I don't truly understand but glad the spell has broken - its been a bit boring.

A first for my Irlam garden this morning - 1 Grey Wagtail feeding around my pond.

Late post from yesterday; a stunning male blackcap again seen in my Radcliffe garden (now the 2nd visit ive seen him make this month) whilst all my regular Tits (about 7 or 8 of them) were seriously queuing up for their morning feed (which made me laugh) and a coal tit bravely jumped the queue and came within 2ft from my face. Lesser redpolls still and Grey wagtail again this morning too.

Six Ring-necked Parakeet were back emptying the feeders today in my Davyhulme garden. Both the Woodpigeons and the House Sparrows looked distinctly unimpressed. A pair of Coal Tit sneaked in when they could to dash off with the odd sunflower seed and a female Sparrowhawk sailed through.

The parakeet were also visiting adjacent roofs and nibbling at something on the tiles ?? (see pic)

My Radcliffe garden is still giving me surprises. I cannot believe; this winter is likely to be the most productive ever!! 2 mistle thrushes in for over a decade. Adding to the growing list of birds not seen in my garden either for yonks or all timers. Grey wagtail still, which is getting well fed now and my lesser redpoll too along with the usual bunch. Ta!

I was originally going out birding for the day but I didn't like the forecast that may cause potential issues for myself. I'm glad I didn't because I discovered a grey wagtail in my Radcliffe garden just now. This is a likely first as I couldnt confirm a previous possible 15 years ago. Other noteworthy birds was after this morning snowfall, our 20+ odd goldfinches went mad for it on our conifer tree. The lesser redpolls are still coming but I've not seen more than 3 together on the feeders (although I've not been as attentive). Ta!

Hoping some cold, snowy weather might drive something in as it's getting rather samey:- todays 'highlights', 2 goldcrests only 2 meters from window (searching Irish yews), nuthatch, mistle thrush, 3 collared doves, 7 chaffinches, usual green and goldfinches, blackbirds, tits, house sparrows etc... Wish I could get rid of pigeons which are a new problem this year.

As I've not been able to get out birding recently it was great to see a group of approximately 30 Redwings in the tall trees in our Hale garden just before dusk this afternoon.

This morning in our Beaumont Chase garden. 2 Willow Tits (heard to confirm id) 2 Goldcrest 1 m Bullfinch 1 f Bullfinch 1 Coal Tit 1 Sparrowhawk 15 House Sparrows 6 Goldifinch 5 Bluetits 2 Collared Doves

Whilst watching the male blackcap feeding on the apples in my old trafford garden this morning a fantastic new garden tick in the shape of a WOODCOCK it flew low over the roof tops of the houses & then over my next doors house.
All the usual activity from goldfinches, greenfinches, blue, great & coal tits.
2 goldcrests. Just after putting this post on another look at the apples & there is now a female blackcap.

-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 2nd of December 2017 01:02:20 PM

The excitement in my Radcliffe garden continues with yesterday a female pied wagtail popped in for a visit, also a male bullfinch today with 6 long tailed tits. The finches in general are somewhat more flighty then previous days and appears to have affected the number of lesser redpolls as I have only seen 3 possible 4 at any one time on the feeders. I've had one that is very much like a summer linnet because of the extent of the rose colour on his chest and I'm wondering whether it could be from Scandinavia (according to some pictures I've seen in a book) But I will need some spare time in my busy schedule to analyse my pictures properly and perhaps I may need some expert help due to the almost identical features between the races) Ta!

Male blackcap feeding on apples in my old trafford garden this afternoon.
A regular pair of goldcrests have been joined by a third bird.
2 male chaffinch yesterday.
Usual goldfinch still in decent numbers 40+
Upto 7 greenfinch.
2 coal tit
4 blue tit
4 great tit
2 Robin
1 dunnock

A bit of a red-letter day with my first garden record of siskin since Feb. 2015! Firstly, a drab female on a feeder, followed later by three superb males. My brother (who lives in Disley said I'd get them if I provided a sunflower hearts only diet, and he was right). In truth they were probably dragged in by the finch bonanza currently in full flow. A garden record 8 (poss 9) greenfinches today, and a record 9 chaffinches yesterday: goldfinches 12+. Other best birds, nuthatch, 2 long-tailed tits yesterday (one on the you-know-whats). Blackcap last seen Friday.

I no longer have 4 lesser redpolls at my Radcliffe garden feeders..... I've had 6! A garden record. I suspected there was another still in the tree but cannot be sure. I will only update here now if there is any change as it appears they are going to be visiting for a while. It's interesting that there are slight differences in shade (male and female) besides a couple of rosey ones.

Radcliffe Garden activity today!

Redpolls still active throughout the day even though only one was seen on the feeders this time. (I'm hoping they will draw in some siskins as in some previous years)

Goldfinches were about 14 plus, greenfinch 3, goldcrest, and long tailed tits 8, plus usual great tits, coal tits, etc etc.

Ta!

Blackcap again today, seen pecking at an apple still in the tree. Otherwise a poor day due to the wind and cats. In response to previous posting, blackbirds are in good numbers round here mainly due to the late brood of three young which were somehow raised nearby irrespective of aforementioned cats. 

Anyone else short of Blackbirds this back-end? I have only seen two in my garden since I started my local RSPB count from October

After going missing over the weekend, the male blackcap was back yesterday (Monday), but not seen today. 5 greenfinches good to see, and eight goldfinches at once. Goldcrest was searching low down in plants bordering my garden and the neighbours.

Male brambling in my Prestwich garden today. First I have seen in my garden, also 3 flocks of lapwings total about 50 birds flying over in westerly direction.

13/11/17 Dukinfield

A male Siskin appeared with the usual Green and Gold finches this morning, a day earlier than one that showed up last year.

Brambling under my garden feeders in Radcliffe, splendid new garden tick
Cheers Ian