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Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob


3044 Posts
Posted -  28/01/2006  :  13:04
We're taking part in the RSPB's annual birdwatch - just one hour either today (Saturday) or tomorrow (28-29 January). More details from: http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch


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judith wilson
New Member


36 Posts
Posted - 30/01/2006 : 12:51
Can anyone tell me why when we are doing these surveys do all the birds in our garden beetle off somewhere? on any other day we have a woodpecker, a treecreeper, ravens, jackdaws. Where were they at the weekend? I have a pathetic selection of one robin a few sparrows, a job lot of stalrings, one blackbird an odd thrush or two and two wrens! Usually our garden is positively buzzing with birds.


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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart


36804 Posts
Posted - 30/01/2006 : 13:52
Funny Judith, I was thinking exactly the same thing.  They didn't even come down for the grub I put out for them.  Even the starlings and jackdaws are absent......


Stanley Challenger Graham




Barlick View
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Big Kev
Big


2650 Posts
Posted - 30/01/2006 : 14:02
My neighbour has cats.I don't think I've ever seen a bird in my yard.


Big Kev

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Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob


3044 Posts
Posted - 30/01/2006 : 14:18
Exactly the same thing happened to us! The little blighters kept well away. I didn't expect our woodpecker to show up as it's only visited a couple of times in the last month, but all the finches went totally AWOL, leaving 6 house sparrows, a few bluetits, one magpie (one for sorrow?) and the usual starling clan. At least the songthrush made an effort.

According to the RSPB's website this happens to many who take part in the survey. Do the birds KNOW? How?

Fascinating website, by the way. I learned a lot, especially that you should avoid using fatballs hung up in those plastic mesh things. Apparently the birds can get their feet caught in them and do horrible damage. Also, it's best not to put out peanuts in Spring because chicks can choke on pieces which are too large.

The RSPB suggest making your own fatballs from bacon/meat dripping and oatmeal. What a great way to use the gunk in the bottom of your grill pan instead of chucking it all in the bin.

We've decided we'll develop a bird friendly garden this year. The RSPB website has lots of suggestions as to what trees, bushes and plants to use and maybe we'll even construct a pond.

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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart


36804 Posts
Posted - 30/01/2006 : 16:42
Best way to feed fat is either as a cake on a bird table or stuffed into holes bored in a small piece of tree branch, it gives them a firm foot grip with no danger of getting hung up.  I have never used those nets, far better to invest in a proper feeder.


Stanley Challenger Graham




Barlick View
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tripps
Senior Member


1404 Posts
Posted - 18/09/2008 : 21:07
I have noticed that we have virtually no birds in our back garden for several weeks now. We had an active cat until two years ago, and there were a lot more birds about then. Other cats have moved in, but I don't think that is the reason. Can the recent very wet weather be a possible cause?  Has anyone else noticed anything similar?


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Julie in Norfolk
Senior Member


1632 Posts
Posted - 18/09/2008 : 22:38
Things ok in the East. Tits galore in the garden - pecking away at Steve's fat balls... (sorry love)

Also to be found: fat Robins, Magpies, other sorts of Tits, some yellowish finchy type things and a couple of woodpeckers who must have had a heck of a surprise when the apple tree fell down! Blackbirds in the garden, Rooks down the road, and my personal favourite, pied wagtails. Oh, and someone has let the bl**dy pheasants out again.


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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart


36804 Posts
Posted - 19/09/2008 : 10:24
Never mind Jules, they'll be chasing them with guns........


Stanley Challenger Graham




Barlick View
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Julie in Norfolk
Senior Member


1632 Posts
Posted - 19/09/2008 : 11:06
If I don't knock them over first!


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belle
VIP Member


6502 Posts
Posted - 22/09/2008 : 10:09
Now talking of pied wagtails, i have just been dragged from my pc by the insisitant high pitched whistles of a bird i have never heard before, well, several of them actually, and on going out to investigate, found the phone wires supporting six or so very excited wagtails...at least that's what I think they were, but they were smaller than the black and white ones I am familiar with and seemd more of a grey brown colour, in fact they are best described as tiny sparrows with long wagging tails. they flew in an up and down way that looked like a fish swimming...anyone any idea what they were, they have all gone now, and it is silent out there...perhaps some migrants off track! 


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wendyf
Senior Member


1439 Posts
Posted - 22/09/2008 : 10:35
Could they have been long tailed tits Belle? They seem to move quickly about in small flocks.

Wendy


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belle
VIP Member


6502 Posts
Posted - 22/09/2008 : 22:49
Maybe, are they mushroom coloured? the tail was long and thin but fanned out ever so slightly toward the tip.


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wendyf
Senior Member


1439 Posts
Posted - 23/09/2008 : 08:21
Yes, they are sort of pinkish brown underneath, have an undulating flight and move around in flocks of up to 20 birds. There is a good picture if you follow this link. No don't it doesnt work!

http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/images/long-tailed_tit.jpg

Wendy

Edited by - wendyf on 23/09/2008 1:50:21 PM


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Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted - 23/09/2008 : 12:38
 Long-tailed tit

Picture of a long-tailed tit from the RSPB web site


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belle
VIP Member


6502 Posts
Posted - 23/09/2008 : 19:09
Are they smaller than sparrows, these birds were..sounds like they could have been long tailed tits?


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