Hi all

I don't seem to have had time for much forum recently, but felt today that I really must get on line.  We took part in the big bird watch which Bazza mentioned earlier, but more recently I have completed a survey for the Norfolk Ornithological Assn based at Holme, in West Norfolk.  it was different from the RSPB one, in that we were given a list of birds which we had to check everyday. I have sent the results in, but not had any feed back yet.  However, because we were looking for specific birds I took more notice, if you see what I mean.  We had both a song thrush and a mistle thrush when the mornings were at their coldest, but now that the temperature has warmed up a little they don't seem to come any more.  I have some chimney pots near the kitchen and started putting the huge fat balls in those, because of the rat situation.  Not only did it stop the rats, but we have had long tailed tits sitting in the baskets in the top of the pots, and meadow and tree pipits.  We have also had a hen harrier, but the sparrow hawk doesn't seem to come any longer.  Neither does the tame robin that used to sit on the kitchen window sill and sing for his supper (or breakfast or lunch), which is quite sad.  I can only think that he died of old age or a cat must have got him.  Fortunately, the worst cat for stealing birds has moved house now so we only have one that comes to hunt in the garden.  If Ellie (the doberman/alsation/collie cross) has her way, it will be a dead cat before much longer.   The rooks seem to be feeding young just now because where we had two coming into the garden, now there is only one.  It feeds itself and then flies off with a beak full of food, but it seems to be the only bird doing that just now.  Someone told me that their is a sort of sequence to nesting, in that the different species seem to nest at different times - perhaps because of the food supply - does anyone know anything about that?  I guess if there are going to be young about it will be less of the seed feed and out with the meal worms!

Sue

3

Judith,

Took your advise and joined FreeRecycle group o Yahoo in my area.  I will probably have some things to give as well as we go along so thanks for that!

Hi Sue! hope all is well

Susan Williams

Hi

Where have you been then, sorting out your bikinis for next weekend!! The sun is on its way. Order the beer while your at it. 

I am not too keen on the way the RSPB do the counts. To much room for error. Might be a good thing is wildlife trusts and the like got involved as well.

A thing about your robin is that it may not be dead. It might be off with the missis looking after the new kids lol. There is a period of time when birds dont come to the garden feeders because they are fattening up for breeding on worms and grubs and other birdy delicacies. So dont give up on him he well may turn up later on. Some birds do time nesting to times of insect hatching but the majority of garden birds start nesting as the plants and trees and shrubs come in to growth, because the bugs will also appear. Of course sometimes they get it wrong like if there is a freak snow storm or some insect hatchings are delayed. Thats life though and we all have to go through probs like that dont we.  A lot of garden birds sometimes have two or three sets of eggs a year just to be on the safe side. Good job we cant do that. Blimey lol

Bazza 

Hev Moore

Hi

Are those the ones that were nesting behind the sat dish??

Bazza 

Morning All

 I am thrilled to report that I have just wandered into the front garden while drinking my tea to check what has grown overnight (lol) and have seen a swallow sitting on the telephone wires above the garden!!!  Only one, but it is a start!

I guess summer is finally on its way.  Can't wait for it to get here.

Judith

Well, the blackbirds are hunting in the garden for nesting materials, seen crows and starlings flying off with food in their mouths, but no babies yet.  Three huuuuuge wood pigeons sitting in the seed/fat ball containers jut outside the kitchen window, several collar doves, but again no babies.  The meadow and tree pipits, long tailed tits and green finches that were around last week seem to have disappeared, but more robins than ever in the garden (who said that they are territorial?)  The blackbirds are still squabbling with females over the food, and goodness knows, there is plenty of it.  Am here for the next couple of days and then away over the weekend, but if anything changes in the meantime I'' keep you all posted (no pun intended!)

Sue