Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Other Hobbies and Interests => Topic started by: Martin (Admin) on January 18, 2017, 06:56:24 pm
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Any Furious Wild Bird Feeders amongst us?
My Mum has always feed the birds in the back garden when I was a kid
( but strangely got quite annoyed when the same 'said' birds, then left messy deposits on the clean washing!) and still feeds the birds today, much to Dad's bemusement!
Anyway, I seem to have caught the bug and have now found myself browsing the wild bird feed section at the local (B&Q) shop.... signs of middle age?
I'm feeding the birds, at lunchtime, in a little used car park, which has a little patch of bushes and trees on two sides. I've already made a few regular friends, 3 crows, Bobin the Robin a family of Blue "boobs" and recently a very persistence & annoying grey squirrel!
So far I've found out that:
Robins carefully & extendedly look at you before feeding,
Robins are bullies to blue "boobs",
Crows are Very suspicious of food near bushes, (where a predator can hide?),
Crows carefully select their food, grab two or three bits and fly off and eat elsewhere but nearby, returning a quickly as they can.
Robins don't much like seed bird food unless there's nothing else,
Blue "boobs" like seed bird food, peck lots of it out of the seed feeder but throw 2 out of 3 bits away!
Crows Love crisps and custard creams,
Birds don't like cheap bird food... unless there's nothing else.
ALL birds love bread,
Squirrels can chew through almost Anything!
Blue "boobs" thinking for tree hanging bird feeder:
"Fly in, AmIsafe? What'sgoingon? Whereisthefood? Ah!ANewBbirdfFeeder! IsitSafetoPerchoverthere? Hop, AmIsafe? What'sgoingon? IsitSafetoPerchoverthere? Hoponbirdfeeder, PeckDiscardPeckDiscardPeckDiscardGraboneGone!
Blue "boobs" thinking for ground food:
"AmIsafe? What'sgoingon? Isitsafe? Hop. AmIsafe?. Gone!" SwoopGrapRun!"
Do you feed the birds? .... it's a lot more than 'tuppence a day' I can tell ya!
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Pigeons = animated vacuum cleaners. {:-{
Colin
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Not so desperate now, but the last few days of the cold snap here, the humming bird was fearless.
Squirrels will get smart, given the opportunity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VcUiTStKq8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VcUiTStKq8)
%)
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Pigeons = C=raptors.
I used to feed the boids, but then moved and no longer do but fancy starting again. I love Long tail Boobs as they hang about like rowdy gangs mobbing their way around the garden before scooting off. I wonder if they do this to be a large noisey blob to confuse predators.
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Please don't feed them bread, as it swells up in their insides and can kill them. Nuts, seeds and fats are more than good enough.
LB
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My Parent's house has a garden full of bird feeders and two bird tables. My Mum and niece love to top up the feeders on a weekly basis.
Have to agree on everything said so far...
Just add Wren's... the loudest bravest little bird in any garden- braver than any Starling and louder than an angry Blackbird! We call them the Napoleon Bonapartes!!! :}
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Get some mealworms and you will have a Robin feeding out of your hand.
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Oh dear me whats the betting Mr SQUIRREL will have the nuts and holder away with him.......gave up after replacing 4 of them a few years ago
Dave
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Robins are 'carnivores' which is why they hang around people digging the garden, so they can nab the bugs it turns up. Hence they won't be that interested in seeds. (Ditto Thrushes/Blackbirds). I think the Finches and "Boobs" (now there is a censor that makes it worse not better) are all seed eaters.
We used to feed the birds but between us and our two neighbours we have 6 cats, so it's a no-no for us now.
If you do a bit of googling there is (or used to be) a specialist supplier of bulk bird foods with good advice on what you need for which birds. (Sorry, it was years ago and I have no idea who it was.) If you are doing it seriously it was much cheaper than buying assorted packs from the local shop or supermarket.
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Our blackbirds and robins love the dried suet pellets. Probably not as good as a nice juicy worm though. Pity they won't eat the sqiggles.
Colin
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I used to feed the boids, but then moved and no longer do but fancy starting again. I love Long tail Boobs as they hang about like rowdy gangs mobbing their way around the garden before scooting off. I wonder if they do this to be a large noisey blob to confuse predators.
Long tail Boobs - Oh! It is a real bird! ( Long tail tit, UK )
(http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/multimedia/archive/01059/2d862a9a-d02a-11e5_1059117c.jpg)
...... got some very funny results when google Long tail Boobs I can tell ya!
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Blackbirds really like Sultanas !
a picture from last Summer - cup of coffee and a book on the patio table when my little friend arrives . . .
(http://i1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag174/fairlyoldgit/IMG_0164_zpsgiwgi3ds.jpg)
During the winter I feed them on the window sill outside my living room - currently about 3 or 4 are visiting
and costing me a bag of sultanas a week!
Richard
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We feed them bird seed and sunflower seed. Mostly "flit birds," (sparrows) and mourning doves.
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Hi,
On Wednesday it climbed to 40C, I kid you not.
I decided to top up the water in the bird baths on the verandah.
As soon as I turned on the hose all the usual birds that come here turned up.
For twenty minutes they had a ball playing in the spray.
Regards
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We have a gang of jackdaws here, and for the last year or so I've been feeding them with anything and everything. I have one that now feeds from my hand, and another who sits on the windowsill inside.
They really are comical, not frightened of seagulls at all, and they think nothing of having a go at next door's cat.
As well as them, and the usual sparrows, starlings, pigeons, there is a resident kestrel. I've never seen him have a go at the local birds, but I have seen him with mice in his claws.
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Our koi pond draws this guy in during the winter.
Despite a lot of effort, we have lost a few fish to this heron, and some raccoons.
And for all the birds that the feeders draw, they clear out fast when either of these other two show up.
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There are quite a few species of Tit and I found that the Robin is now belived to be a member of the Old World Flycatcher family.
"boobs" I have identified are:
Long Tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Great Tit
Bearded Tit
Marsh Tit
There are about fifty types of which a number might not be closely related.
"boobs" are considered to be the third most intelligent bird after Parrots and Corvids. I don't see any Long taoiled "boobs" these days <:(
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I don't see any Long taoiled "boobs" these days
Strangely enough my regular family of long tailed "boobs" turned up
this morning on my fat ball feeder. they seem to call roughly every 3-4 weeks
Also seen a couple of times (but never long enough to have its picture taken!)
a Goldcrest - a beautiful, tiny, tiny, bird (next to the sparrows). . .
(http://i1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag174/fairlyoldgit/Goldcrest_1_zpsqdgmrm7d.jpg)
Wikipedia Picture
I hope it starts to visit regularly !
Richard
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I hope it does for you Richard. What a shite world ours would be without birds.
I wonder why your Long tails have such a long period between visits? Do you live in an area with lots of gardens?
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Martin, cost is nothing compared with the enjoyment we get just from watching there antics. (free food? but what's the catch? do i want some? cause i do!!!!!)
Mark
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Martin, cost is nothing compared with the enjoyment we get just from watching there antics. (free food? but what's the catch? do i want some? cause i do!!!!!)
Mark
How very true Mark!
Loving it. :-))
NB: Round 3 tonight, Martin's fully wire wrapped bird feeder vs The Squirrels!
(https://i.imgbox.com/N4xnAtO3.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/N4xnAtO3)
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We have one of these ground feeders on our lawn: https://www.amazon.co.uk/GARDMAN-GROUND-FEEDER-HAVEN-GARDEN/dp/B005MQDLBC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1484865431&sr=8-3&keywords=wild+bird+ground+feeders
It doesn't keep out the squirrel but the pigeons cannot reach into the centre where the food is and it drives them mad! Especially when the blackbirds and the Robin just hop in an out as they please.
Colin
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Have you watched the youtube of the squirrel assault course, they are very intelligent, or should that say very persistent?????
Mark
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Brilliant Colin, how long will it last if they all gang up and try to push it over???
Mark
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They take it in turns to work their way round and round looking for a wide enough opening. Usually give up on the third circuit...
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W've now got a regular flock (about 30 of them) of Green Paraquetes (However you spell it) that descend on the trees at the bottom of our garden, they tear the tree buds to pieces and make a huge din, But they don't go anywhere near the feeders just below them.
Worst culprits for Mayhem here are the Starlings, like a hundred marauding bandits. Most birds, except the Robins like the peanuts, bird seed just rots in the feeder, Blue, Green and Coal "boobs" galore, two tiny Wrens when we're lucky, I put out live mealworms for the Robins and they watch from the fence posts and wait, so funny. Pidgeons, a Sparrowhawk and a kestrel.
Plus of course our resident Heron.....anybody got a gun? this thing has eaten nearly every pond fish in the road, my pond is to deep so I've still got fish so I'm lucky.
Whenever I reach for my camera, the whole lot have cleared off.....
Ron.
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You should set your camera up first - then put the food out. O0
Regards,
Ray.
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as we are all discussing the birds in the garden is anyone doing the rspb bird watch survey next weekend?
i have my pack so doing my bit for the birds
https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch?gclid=CMvR19me0NECFQ4TGwodfJEAQg
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I have that pack too. :-)
...... Most birds, except the Robins like the peanuts, bird seed just rots in the feeder, Blue, Green and Coal "boobs" galore, two tiny Wrens when we're lucky, I put out live mealworms for the Robins and they watch from the fence posts and wait, so funny. Pigeons, a Sparrow hawk and a kestrel.
Whenever I reach for my camera, the whole lot have cleared off.....
Ron.
Live Mealwords? where do you buy those? I have the dried mealworms, haven't tried them yet, still trying to defeat the squirrels!
My local Bobin the robin is a clever little "xxxxx", he waits until I've got the camera all set up, focused and framed, then flies off! <*<
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Any pet shop that deals in reptiles..
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I have that pack too. :-)
Live Mealwords? where do you buy those? I have the dried mealworms, haven't tried them yet, still trying to defeat the squirrels!
My local Bobin the robin is a clever little "xxxxx", he waits until I've got the camera all set up, focused and framed, then flies off! <*<
Have you baked the cookie's yet! the bird cake is going down 'with the birds' a treat :-))
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Living on the edge of a forest, we were plagued by squirrels scoffing from all our bird feeders, until we bought this one which cured the problem in a day and we haven't seen a squirrel in years!
https://www.reallywildbirdfood.co.uk/hanging-feeders/geohaus-nut-feeder/n-ghpll-0
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Hi Martin,
After a twenty year battle with dreaded Squirrels - my latest offendants a family of 4 - mum, dad and 2 babies from the neighbouring police station grounds, plus 2 more from the bottom of the garden - the attached type of squirrel proof feeders do work and stand the test of time.
Having said that our furry friends will unhook this type of feeder sending it crashing to the ground - nuts everywhere, therefore you need to fashion a pair of wire hooks to hold the lid on securely.
Squirrels are incredibly destructive, they will eventually gnaw through the plastic of your type of feeder and the thin gauge wire too !
something around an eighth of inch thick seems to hold them at bay, but great fun watching them at work.
Robins are wonderful - after they pass through the fighting stage, happening in my garden at the moment !
when paired up they signal to each other sticking out their red breast waving their head slowly from side to side -
as if trying to hipnotize their partner.
Winter 2016 I made a kitchen window sill feeder for Robins out of an old fridge shelf clamped to the plastic sill,
a pair quickly started to use it and would respond when called,
leaving the kitchen window slightly open, they eventually came in and would sit talking to you from the top of the kitchen cupboards, wonderful !
Now can anyone help me with a Squirrel proof window sill feeder? the little so and so jumps up onto the window sill and scoffs the Robins lunch !
Happy New Year to all, regards Paul
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This video might give you some ideas... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5-d3rZZ-_M
Colin
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Very tempting Colin thank you - I happen to have 25 yards of shock cord minding its own buisness in the shed !
Problem is my wife thinks Squirrels are cute and fun to watch - talented Rat with a bushy tail for my four penneth.
regards Paul
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Are your squizzles grey or red? I hope the former as regards the bullet!
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They taste just like chicken!!!
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Hi Ballastanksian,
Reds - I wish ! unfortunately in down town grotty Leicester Greys rule,
now retired Red Squirrels are on my bucket list of must see's - Brownsea Island or the Ribble are penciled in for visits.
regards Paul
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Mrzippy
There is a reserve at Formby.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/formby/trails/formby-red-squirrel-walk (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/formby/trails/formby-red-squirrel-walk)
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I heard on Radio four some years back that a man had hunted so many greys in the North, that it allowed Red Squizzles to re populate an area. I think he got thousands of them over a five year period.
The Reds are adorable.
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Found this interesting...
Bread
All types of bread are acceptable to birds, but ideally it should only be just one component in a varied diet. Bread does not contain the necessary protein and fat birds need from their diet, and so it can act as an empty filler. Although bread isn't harmful to birds, try not to offer it in large quantities, since its nutritional value is relatively low. A bird that is on a diet of predominantly, or only bread, can suffer from serious vitamin deficiencies, or starve.
Only put out an amount of bread that birds will eat in a day. Food left on the ground overnight can attract rats. Soaked bread is more easily ingested than stale dry bread, and brown bread is better than white. Crumbled bread is suitable in small quantities, but moisten if it is very dry. During the breeding season, crumble the bread into tiny pieces so that it is only eaten by the adult birds. Dry chunks of bread will choke baby birds, and a chick on a diet of bread may not develop into a healthy fledgling.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/helping-birds/feeding/whatfood/scraps.aspx
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Video: https://youtu.be/biRn4Zc-XrY
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I have stopped putting bread out in my garden, it only ever attracts seagulls, which I hate with a vengeance. As a party trick I would do throw a whole crust of bread out back door and see how long it would take before it disappeared. Average less than 15 seconds. Yet prior to putting it out not a bird could be seen. Where do they hide and how do they communicate? I hate seagulls (not allowed to call them their common name on forum)
M
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Do you mean 'Poo Buzzards' Martin??
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More like s***hawks
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Hi, Well when we moved in here bird feeders had been left behind so we are using them. Gardman found some replacement trays and their non germinating mixed seed feed seems popular with the visitors as well as me. Despite having a cat we now have a regular bunch visiting. The cat is too old and fat to bother with the birds. (A bit like me really {-)). The biggest bully is one of the many blackbirds. Starlings also seem aggressive but when things calm down the Robin visits the fat balls. We also have a crowd of white doves that seem to clean up everything. All very entertaining. Graham
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The cat is too old and fat to bother with the birds. (A bit like me really {-))
Graham
{-) {-) Know exactly how you feel Graham! ok2
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Our garden is mainly to attract birds, bees and butterflies (when it isn't under the snow). We have resident doves, starlings, red wing blackbirds and more. We also have this one, who helps to keep some of the other numbers down. This is the first time I have been able to get a decent pic of it as it was devouring something.
Tom
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We had a Buzzard or Kestrel hopping about at work on Sunday. You got an great image there, and he/she is just acting natural and culling the weak and vulnerable birds.
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I have to admit that the hawk upset us the first couple of times that we saw it, but it is nature and the hawk needs to eat, just like we do. It was here again this morning but I don't think it got anything. I was lucky that I had the 300mm lense on the other day and not the 50mm.
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.... technically, that is feeding the birds to the feeding birds isn't it?! %)
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And no cats were involved. Mind you, If I were a cat, I wouldn't want to be near a raptor, they have more pointy bits than cats!
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This little one (or his relatives) has been visiting for the last 10 years. He/she seem to be feeding on grubs or ants in the grass, leaving lots of little holes where its beak has been.
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We have dozens of these Finches most years. This pic is from last summer when they were in their peak.
Also a Downy Woodpecker that seems to be a daily visitor at the moment.
Tom
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I have tried several times to attract wild birds by using numerous bird feeders. However, whatever I have hung up they only attract ingenious squirrels. I even put a large inverted plastic dome over the hanging wire. Made no difference, squirrels can infiltrate anything short of Fort Knox. In the end I gave up putting food out for squirrels and pigeons.
The bird life round here consisted almost exclusively of Pigeons, which seem to scare off all the others - Until a pair of large Kites took residence. Since then all other wildlife has made itself scarce.
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The bird life round here consisted almost exclusively of Pigeons, which seem to scare off all the others - Until a pair of large Kites took residence. Since then all other wildlife has made itself scarce.
We saw a fair few parakeets last time we visited your neck of the woods. They haven't reached us in the midlands - yet!
Dave
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Buy an all metal peanut feeder, squirrels will drive themselves insane trying to get at the nuts! {-)
https://youtu.be/sS4ach0CwN4
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The Cardinals come around once in a while, but most of their habitat got removed last year so they are rare now.
The Snowy Owls come down from the Arctic when food is scarce there. This one was from a couple of years ago. It would sit on this same pole for a few hours every day, looking for food in the field below.
We have a couple of dozen pigeons around, but they seem to do a good job of cleaning the mess on the floor from the other birds.
I created a large area in the bottom of the garden, where I leave food for the bigger birds and squirrels. It keeps them away from the smaller birds and their feeders (sort of)
Tom
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This is the answer to the peskey squirrel chaps, a 'squirrel baffle' aesthetics nil points but works well.
Confused squirrel sits looking up underneath the inverted plastic plant pot, tries to run up the centre post of the bird table,
and falls back to earth with a bump and he's not reached the bird table since the baffle was fitted.
Down sides - unsightly and the increased windage in windy weather can blow the bird table over,
basically an inverted large plant pot, large hole cut in it to clear the bird table post,
screw eyes under the bird table platform engaging with hooks screwed into a ply plate on the inside of the plant pot,
needs hole big enough to allow the plant pot to sway about should squirrel try to climb on it,
works really well.
regards Paul
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Squirrel is in the shed looking for a saw to fell the feeder
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That is an excellent solution. I can envision a squirrel getting very frustrated indeed trying to get up there.
Tom
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Nice one Baldrick ! nothing surprises me with squirrels they are oh so clever and annoying -
Last summer built a strawberry enclosure out of strong wire netting, bomb proof I thought,
but who got in and took one bite out each strawberry and left the remains on the ground to rot away,
our agile furry grey friends.
Paul
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I did try the large inverted dome, both on a bird table and on a branch hung feeder.
Gymnastic little pests managed to get past both. Waste of time.
I have had to give up trying to feed pigeons as the darn squirrels circumvent anything.
They should call all these feeders 'squirrel feeders'.
Yes we did have a flock of parakeets that a couple across the road fed. But since the Kites arrived they too have gone.
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My gorilla wild bird feeding project is going well but the building where I've set up my feeders, is being refurbished so I may loose that site..... <:(
New video: https://youtu.be/MV9O82KHcSw (https://youtu.be/MV9O82KHcSw)
I have now started feeding more, outside the kitchen window, in the front garden.
No squirrels so far but one of the neighborhood cats has made mincemeat out of two pigeons recently.
Nice to see so many different types of birds feeding together..... well, mainly squabbling but we make sure there is always enough to go round, they have been doing well out of me I can tell ya, but the local QD store is much cheaper, for bird food stuff, than anywhere I can find on-line!
This year we've had a few Robins, Black birds, Blue "boobs", Great "boobs", a pair of Goldfinches, a new family of Starlings, the usual greedy Magpies & Pigeons.
See a lot of Crows and Gulls but they don't seem to like the seclusion of the garden, thankfully!
Feeders:
For small birds ( and ground feeding ), I prefer Sunflower heart seeds, all birds love it, no waste all.
( Birds don't like the cheap all mix seeds very much and will only eat it if there is nothing else around, at all! )
Peanuts. Use an all metal feeder - just to annoy the squirrels! Good value if you want to take photos, the birds have to fight to get at the nuts and they will 'cause they Love peanuts!
Suet / Fat balls, in nets and slabs / bricks - small birds love them in spring, particularly the starlings.
I'm also carrying out an experiment of sweet feeding at work ... mainly to 'Wardie' it seems .. he's more crafty than the squirrels!
(https://i.imgbox.com/Ez6ogv06.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/Ez6ogv06)
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Very nice. :-))
My Wife thanks you for the film. We have always helped them down our way but did have a rat problem. Have to think outside the box, so your thread has helped us with better methods.
Cheers
ken
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Lovely film Martin. The bit with the Long tailed 'Boobs' was the best :}
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This year's 'stupid baby bird award' goes to,...
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No worries, I put it back...
ok2
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I can spend a fortune feeding the song birds during the winter months , its so rewarding to see them.
But any of the species on the general licence including the grey's who rob song birds nests are removed.
Although I have fitted a couple of cones to feeder posts and the customers find it funny to watch the greys attempts to get to the feeders without success.
daz
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I live 5 miles from the coast, but have had in my garden in the past, hawks, all usual finches, ""boobs", aka t I t s", blackbirds, ring doves and wayward racing pigeons, even have a lovely little resident wren from close by who forrages.......plus the ubiquitous sea gulls and terns.......
In their infinite wisdom, Wyre Borough Council set up[ a stink tank to sit and stink about the rising population of gulls and how to get rid of them.............they decided that, in their infinite wisdom, if people stopped feeding them...............they'd just FLY AWAY and feed off fish and mussels like they used to do...........and as an added incentive to stop people feeding gulls in their back gardens.........although they didn't realise that we were feeding other birds, and being the greedy gits that gulls are, were nicking the food off the smaller birds..............some councillors thought it might be a good idea and incentive for neighbours who dobbed in other neighbours feeding gulls (who would then be fined £200.00 quid for this misdemeanour) to have a reduction in their council tax for every neighbour fined........
I just wonder what IQ level these town councillors have to reach before they are barred from sitting on such council panels, because they would then make sensible contributions to council matters and proceedings in meetings...............and here at WBC we couldn't have that...............it'd raise the tone of the town lol >:-o >>:-( <*<
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Neil..... Mr GOOGLE didn't offer any readings for IQ + Local Government town councillors, however did offer some light reading on IQ + alcoholism.....this will obviously be far more interesting reading than reading councillors notes {-)
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjwsN_Z7fjXAhWDnpQKHUTeByMQFghaMAg&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC4368388%2F&usg=AOvVaw3Ywg7f0QljXPcEmaV0xtvh
PS......I like the section that says.....
"There were 2,781 abstainers, 33,526 light consumers, 9,547 moderate consumers, and 1,724 high consumers in the study population".....so where does that place you & me as bird watchers as opposed to bird feeders? %)
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Neil..... Mr GOOGLE didn't offer any readings for IQ + Local Government town councillors, however did offer some light reading on IQ + alcoholism.....this will obviously be far more interesting reading than reading councillors notes {-)
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjwsN_Z7fjXAhWDnpQKHUTeByMQFghaMAg&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC4368388%2F&usg=AOvVaw3Ywg7f0QljXPcEmaV0xtvh (https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjwsN_Z7fjXAhWDnpQKHUTeByMQFghaMAg&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC4368388%2F&usg=AOvVaw3Ywg7f0QljXPcEmaV0xtvh)
PS......I like the section that says.....
"There were 2,781 abstainers, 33,526 light consumers, 9,547 moderate consumers, and 1,724 high consumers in the study population".....so where does that place you & me as bird watchers as opposed to bird feeders? %)
that just about adds up to the total population of Fleetwood Derek.......pretty spot on mate.........I would put myself now a days as slipped in the rankings from mods to lights..............but in my youth...........at Uni in the highs............always reckon you can start high and slacken off with age.............the ol' liver can't take the beating it used to be able too in youth..............lol {-) {-) {-) {-)
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mind you, I chucked a few ice cold Castlemaine 4 x's down my throat whilst out your way............that and Carlton draught were my favourites. O0 O0 {-) {-) {-)
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Good Day All
We've got a family of Magpies that have been coming for food for the past three years, it's go the the state that they knock on the back door to let us know that they're there.
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The snowy owl was confused by the recent snow. %)
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Great photo! :-))
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The snowy owl was confused by the recent snow. %)
what a beautiful bird.......fantastic shot.
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I've set up a feeder outside my window at work, ( ... Windows 10 {-) )
It took them weeks to find it, only a Robin & a Blue tit so far but they are quite regular visitors now, 5 - 10 times a day.
I thought birds couldn't see through glass?! A soon as I move, they're off! (Hence no photos .... yet!)
(http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2017/12/19/Birds_2017_03.jpg) (http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/8vLGQ)
The squirrels have eaten through another squirrel proof nut feeder.....
(http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2017/12/19/Birds_2017_04.jpg) (http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/8vIxu)
(http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2017/12/19/Birds_2017_05.jpg) (http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/8vzB1)
(http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2017/12/19/Birds_2017_07.jpg) (http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/8vUgG)
(http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2017/12/19/Birds_2017_01.jpg) (http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/8v613)
(http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2017/12/19/Birds_2017_02.jpg) (http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/8vyES)
(http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2017/12/19/Birds_2017_06.jpg) (http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/8vKXR)
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Had three unusual visitors in my backyard today. They didn't want me to get too close, so the images are not as good as my usual results
Wedgetail Eagles, and have not seen them here previously.
These are big birds with a wingspan of around 6ft
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Wow! Excellent photos!
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Thanks Martin, but I had a few things against me.
Sun was in the wrong position for a start, and these are not as tame as some of the other birds that visit.
Also, hand held and a big lens. No time for a tripod!
Still, as it was the first time I have seen them here in the 12 years I've lived on my 5 acres, it was better than nothing.
I use a 500mm lens on my Nikon D70s, so it does allow me a few close images when everything comes together.
Ian.
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Hi all
love feeding the birds, had lots of them up to last week but they all seem to have gone now
Dave
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Only just noticed this topic, not to everyones taste I know, but love it, spend hours watching them feed, have been lucky to have breeding bloobys in our nest box for a couple of years now, but really like Martin's method of watching and feeding the birds in a location that they obviously frequent, i.e. a public car park?! and a boss that dosen't mind paying for the windows to be cleaned, thought you were supposed to be working! {-) {-)
I'm must be getting old but only yesterday I was mesmerised watching a pair of tree sparrows courtship O0 the tempt me display by her (?) went on for an age while "He" enjoyed the performance and then ------------ job done, might be sad but I'll reckon it isn't something to see very often within about 6 feet distance of our conservatory.
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Don't worry TT, Some birds have to have each egg individually fertilised so Mr Sparrow may get a look in numerous times, so maybe it is not so sad 8)
Was the Robin we saw above threatening you Martin? You might have been on his 'Manor' and Mister Robbin doesn't like people on his patch........ or the puppy gets it :-)