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Heartwarming to see the little mite today, flying back and forth with her beak full of building material, pausing to check that she hasn't been spotted before diving in the bushes.
Spring is on the way.
Spring is on the way.
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It's always a pleasure to see birds in the garden, hopefully the mild winter will have allowed more to survive this year.
Hope you are well Foinavon. Got any spuds in yet?. Nice post - always nice to see Mrs Robin working hard, just a pity Mr Robin is of no eff ing help at all.
I'm fine thanks Blackbarn, and you?
I've bought pink fir apple and rooster this year. They won't go in until the end of the month since we can get night frosts until mid May here.
The soil has started to dry out a bit although still fairly saturated and the only work done so far is a bit of hoeing between the rows of garlic. I think you must be at least two weeks ahead of us regarding the onset of spring.
I've bought pink fir apple and rooster this year. They won't go in until the end of the month since we can get night frosts until mid May here.
The soil has started to dry out a bit although still fairly saturated and the only work done so far is a bit of hoeing between the rows of garlic. I think you must be at least two weeks ahead of us regarding the onset of spring.
blackbarn
Both will bring material to the next site, but only the female builds the nest.
However, both feed and rear the chicks.
Both will bring material to the next site, but only the female builds the nest.
However, both feed and rear the chicks.
Hope next door's cat doesn't gobble it up Foinavon. Remind me what happened to the cat you were looking after. I remember the old lady died.
Good morning Kenny.
When the old lady died just before Christmas one of her friends decided to give Nimrod a home. She lives some way away in Worcestershire so he hasn't been back. I am informed that he is well.
I do miss him but the upside is that there are many more birds visiting my garden now that the old warrior is no longer there to worry them.
When the old lady died just before Christmas one of her friends decided to give Nimrod a home. She lives some way away in Worcestershire so he hasn't been back. I am informed that he is well.
I do miss him but the upside is that there are many more birds visiting my garden now that the old warrior is no longer there to worry them.
The robin is still busy this morning and looks quite comical at times with her beak full of dried grass. There is a large white cat which seems to have annexed the territory but he looks docile when he visits and doesn't appear to be hunting. Different temperament to Nimrod.
Hi Foinavon, that's good to know.
You guys are luckiy having lovely robins around. The only bird I see round here is the Chukar Partridge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG1u1Gc9c_g
You guys are luckiy having lovely robins around. The only bird I see round here is the Chukar Partridge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG1u1Gc9c_g
Lovely bird the Robin; I was digging up the weeds a few years back and one kept flying in and out for grubs etc. We built up an uncanny understanding and finally, as I sat on a low stall digging, he/she perched on a branch, literally beside me, and just stood there watching me. Brave little feckers aint they?
Nice thread.
I bought some alpaca (?) hair from Haiths last year and put some out in an old bird feeder.
The birds can pick pieces from it and make bird wigs
(or build nests).
I'll put some more out tomorrow.
I bought some alpaca (?) hair from Haiths last year and put some out in an old bird feeder.
The birds can pick pieces from it and make bird wigs
(or build nests).I'll put some more out tomorrow.
Had a magical moment a few years ago when in the woodshed at dusk. A goldcrest (UK's smallest bird) wasn't aware I was there and spent several minutes flitting around the logpile for insects, just inches in front of me.
Always a delight finding neat, clean nests in the middle of the woodpile as you work your way through it in winter. There were whole lives going on in the spring and summer as you built it up, about which you were completely oblivious.
Always a selection of ragged mice nests too when you get right to the bottom.
Always a delight finding neat, clean nests in the middle of the woodpile as you work your way through it in winter. There were whole lives going on in the spring and summer as you built it up, about which you were completely oblivious.
Always a selection of ragged mice nests too when you get right to the bottom.
Robins are prolific breeders, often producing between three and five broods a year, each containing four or five eggs.
If the weather is mild, they can breed as early as January, though it is more usual for them to start in March.
Broods can overlap with the male feeding the chicks of one clutch while the female sits on the eggs of the next. This enables the population to bounce back readily from any overwinter population losses.
Robins will nest almost anywhere. Recorded nest sites include plant pots, a pigeonhole in a desk, the engine of a WWII plane, and in the body of a dead cat.
If the weather is mild, they can breed as early as January, though it is more usual for them to start in March.
Broods can overlap with the male feeding the chicks of one clutch while the female sits on the eggs of the next. This enables the population to bounce back readily from any overwinter population losses.
Robins will nest almost anywhere. Recorded nest sites include plant pots, a pigeonhole in a desk, the engine of a WWII plane, and in the body of a dead cat.
Thanks Kincsem, took it with my Finepix HS50 which makes things easy.
Robins will nest almost anywhere. Recorded nest sites include plant pots, a pigeonhole in a desk, the engine of a WWII plane, and in the body of a dead cat.
Don't let Kenny know about the cat.
Robins will nest almost anywhere. Recorded nest sites include plant pots, a pigeonhole in a desk, the engine of a WWII plane, and in the body of a dead cat.
Don't let Kenny know about the cat.
Its Red kite city Arizona round here. The first time time I saw one I had to go online to find out what it was. Really beautiful birds with a haunting cry.
Lovely bird the Kite. Distinctive forked tail. Buzzards here too, they have haunting cry.
I have a female Blackbird visit daily, she has large white patches all over. I am hoping she breeds successfully and maybe we will have full white Blackbird offspring visit the garden.
You do occasionally see a blackbird with the odd white feather, any more than that destroys the camouflage and makes them a target for predators. Unfortunately your female will be lucky to breed at all.
She has been around for about 8 months now. She has dodged the daily Sparrowhawk attack (my favourite bird) and all the @*^%$£~#'l; cats, that think my raised veg beds are for crapping in 
the crows are early nesters as well ,they take advantage of the abundant food supplied by the early nesting songbirds ,but in recent years the late snow has taken its toll and deffo not as many around although the magpies are filling that niche imo .
they really offer little and hammer all other birds through chick predation ,their numbers are spiraling out of control.
the wind blew most of their nests around me
out of the trees this winter and i wont be letting them return
they really offer little and hammer all other birds through chick predation ,their numbers are spiraling out of control.
the wind blew most of their nests around me
out of the trees this winter and i wont be letting them return
On the subject of Sparrowhawks, one smashed into a Redwing this afternoon only about 15 feet from me whilst I was logging. Quite made me jump. I think she saw me just as she hit the Redwing as she did not kill it (died shortly afterwards, mind). Surprised it's still here so late, should be on its way back to Scandinavia by now, but I had a flock on the hayfield all day today (no Fieldfares though, just Redwings).
Where I lived as a boy. There was a black and white male blackbird that was a frequent visitor to our garden over four years.
I'd guess 60% of its plumage was white.
I'd guess 60% of its plumage was white.
Not seen any Redwings in the hedgerows this Winter, but there's been plenty of Fieldfares on the freshly ploughed land.
Hey Facts, you are a bit of a birder! See my post below. Bit late for Redwings don't you think? I am in Sussex by the way. Have they started stating longer?
blimey Facts, that was quick. We had the usual Redwings and Fieldfares (on the plough and on my best Christmas Holly tree) but the latter have all gone. Used to seeing mixed flocks but we still have quite a big crowd
of ALL Redwings (40/50 ish).
of ALL Redwings (40/50 ish).
The gene which causes white patches in some blackbirds is a recessive mutation, so it can only be passed on if both parents carry the gene. (They don't necessarily have to have the white patches themselves - they could have inherited it from one of their parents, but not from the other, so they'd be black, as normal, but could still carry the albino gene.)
But as Foinavon, says, white patches are a disadvantage, so carriers who have the white patches are less likely to survive and mate, which is why it's rare.
The mechanism is a bit like blue eyes in humans - that's another recessive mutation (traced back to modern-day Ukraine about 10,000 years ago), which also requires both parents to carry the gene, but neither parent necessarily has to have blue eyes themselves. The difference is that blue eyes are an evolutionary advantage owing to improved night vision, which might be why they are so common despite being genetically recessive.
But as Foinavon, says, white patches are a disadvantage, so carriers who have the white patches are less likely to survive and mate, which is why it's rare.
The mechanism is a bit like blue eyes in humans - that's another recessive mutation (traced back to modern-day Ukraine about 10,000 years ago), which also requires both parents to carry the gene, but neither parent necessarily has to have blue eyes themselves. The difference is that blue eyes are an evolutionary advantage owing to improved night vision, which might be why they are so common despite being genetically recessive.
I have just been sat quietly in my garden. Leaning up against my fence is a plank of wood that is crumbly rotten at the end, for the last half hour or so a Long-Tailed tít has been busy pulling bits of the wood from the end of the plank and flying off with a beak full each time.
I was sat really close too, only about 5 feet away, lovely little bird
I was sat really close too, only about 5 feet away, lovely little bird
Smar Tarse - Keep a look out for the nest, particularly if you have never seen one. It is an absolute work of art - they make quite a lot of use of lichen so your rotten wood is probably a proxy if there is a shortage of the that. Leave all you outside cobwebs intact too
The Long-Tailed Tit is my favourite bird on the planet.
Such gregarious, happy little birds.
I've been no further than 2 feet away from them, when sitting down on some old boulders, while they carried on pecking at my fat bags in the lilac tree - and their chirrups and happy little ways as they flitted about, often looking straight at me, filled my heart.
As mentioned previously; they make the most beautiful, delicate (yet strong) 'fur' lined nests of cobwebs, lichen and feathers.
It must be their way to encourage lovely behaviour in their offspring, seeing as they're born into a wonderfully soft, encompassing 'happy' habitat.
Such gregarious, happy little birds.
I've been no further than 2 feet away from them, when sitting down on some old boulders, while they carried on pecking at my fat bags in the lilac tree - and their chirrups and happy little ways as they flitted about, often looking straight at me, filled my heart.
As mentioned previously; they make the most beautiful, delicate (yet strong) 'fur' lined nests of cobwebs, lichen and feathers.
It must be their way to encourage lovely behaviour in their offspring, seeing as they're born into a wonderfully soft, encompassing 'happy' habitat.
Blackbarn, Facts or any other knowledgeable birder... As well as the usual stuff we get around here have seen a yellow wagtail and a grey wagtail recently.
The yellow was working its way across the eaves of the roof of a farm hanger (sort of corrugated metal construction)... that was mid February.
The grey was last week fluttering its feathers in a puddle up (there is a river just down the slope from us). Really long tail and yellow belly.
Only knowingly saw a yellow a couple of years ago end of March, also on a roof, but not noticed a grey before (get the usual pied/whites).
This is up in North Wales. A quick look at my Collins tells me the yellow shouldn't really be here yet and i remember flicking through an official volume which said there was no record of breeding pairs in the area.
Do you see them much around your way? Thanks.
The yellow was working its way across the eaves of the roof of a farm hanger (sort of corrugated metal construction)... that was mid February.
The grey was last week fluttering its feathers in a puddle up (there is a river just down the slope from us). Really long tail and yellow belly.
Only knowingly saw a yellow a couple of years ago end of March, also on a roof, but not noticed a grey before (get the usual pied/whites).
This is up in North Wales. A quick look at my Collins tells me the yellow shouldn't really be here yet and i remember flicking through an official volume which said there was no record of breeding pairs in the area.
Do you see them much around your way? Thanks.
Sat in my favourite garden chair again (faux leather recliner ) This time it was a birds call that caught my attention. Looking straight up and it was a huge Buzzard, well actually there were three of them.
To me it looked like two adults and a smaller young'un. Circling around like they were showing it the ropes, do they do that kind of thing ? Is it the correct time of year for them to have a young'un ?
) This time it was a birds call that caught my attention. Looking straight up and it was a huge Buzzard, well actually there were three of them.To me it looked like two adults and a smaller young'un. Circling around like they were showing it the ropes, do they do that kind of thing ? Is it the correct time of year for them to have a young'un ?
Sure it wasn't two buzzards seeing off a crow or a jackdaw?
Having said that, it's usually the other way round.
Having said that, it's usually the other way round.
All three seemed to be happily circling around together. It's not the first time i have seen three together like that.
Re the Buzzards - Male and two females??
Re the Wagtails - Plenty of Greys here in mid-Sussex, but very few Yellows (didnt see a single one last year - although the birdwatch in the next (bigger) Village saw a couple. Re your Wales location, you should have Greys as they are pretty widespread and present all year round. Re the Yellow, being a summer visitor, he'd be a month early AND my distribution map (like yours?) shows a blank for North Wales.
Re the Wagtails - Plenty of Greys here in mid-Sussex, but very few Yellows (didnt see a single one last year - although the birdwatch in the next (bigger) Village saw a couple. Re your Wales location, you should have Greys as they are pretty widespread and present all year round. Re the Yellow, being a summer visitor, he'd be a month early AND my distribution map (like yours?) shows a blank for North Wales.
Had a Sparrowhawk Chick each year for the past 4 years so am expecting another this year with a bit of luck. Got a better camera this time so fingers crossed for a few decent snaps.
blackbarn 12 Mar 16 14:52
Re the Buzzards - Male and two females??
Are females bigger than the males, could be if that is the case.
Re the Buzzards - Male and two females??
Are females bigger than the males, could be if that is the case.
Thanks Blackbarn. Will keep my eyes open for greys more actively. I'm not part of any organised group around here so can't get much local info.
Smar Tarse.... That's often the way with the birds of prey with the females bigger.
Smar Tarse - Clouseau is correct, hence my answer. The books say that the female Buzzard is 10/12% bigger than the male. Whilst this is undoubtedly correct it seems to refer only to wingspan without taking account that she is bigger all round (as they say) AND seems bigger in the sky. I'd expect them to be paired up by now, but it wouldn't be at all unusual for an unattached female to tag along, so that is probably what you saw. For what it's worth I am not a fan; there are far too many now, at least here.
Clouseau - re organised groups. Do you have the equivalent of a Wildlife Trust in your part of the world? They would definitely have details of any local birder group, or even a single enthusiast who would be happy to share info. We all want to show off what we know and what we have seen. Good luck
Clouseau - re organised groups. Do you have the equivalent of a Wildlife Trust in your part of the world? They would definitely have details of any local birder group, or even a single enthusiast who would be happy to share info. We all want to show off what we know and what we have seen. Good luck
Apologies Barney, I was replying to wit-ham as I thought he was the last poster.
I was just stirring my porridge when the people walking past my house stopped and looked up and over my house, i thought me chimney was on fire at first 
So i nip outside to see what they were all looking at, it was a large "V" of Swans, about 20 of them flying past
Apparently they were all heading in a southerly direction and then all of a sudden turned around and headed back the way they had come. This is what got everyone's attention as it was a bit of a sight them all turning around together!
My question is, were they leaving the UK or arriving ?
So i nip outside to see what they were all looking at, it was a large "V" of Swans, about 20 of them flying past
Apparently they were all heading in a southerly direction and then all of a sudden turned around and headed back the way they had come. This is what got everyone's attention as it was a bit of a sight them all turning around together!
My question is, were they leaving the UK or arriving ?
Whooper swans and Bewicks migrate.
I know they come to Burscough WWT site in the winter and amazing sight when they come in to land.
Think Mute swans can stick around but can also travel... RSPB site pretty good for overviews.
.
http://community.betfair.com/chit_chat/go/thread/view/94038/30662123/?pg=last#548079507
I know they come to Burscough WWT site in the winter and amazing sight when they come in to land.
Think Mute swans can stick around but can also travel... RSPB site pretty good for overviews.
.
http://community.betfair.com/chit_chat/go/thread/view/94038/30662123/?pg=last#548079507
just gave link to this site! 
.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/w/whooperswan/index.aspx
.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/w/whooperswan/index.aspx
just having a wee look for the name of swans in a V formation ,its a "wedge" apparently
Not sure if these are all cosha ,C+P will be all over the place
Alphabetically by
Group Name Alphabetically by
Bird Name
Group Name Bird Name Bird Name Group Name
band jays birds dissimulation
bevy quail bitterns siege
bouquet pheasants chickens peep
brood hens
pheasants (family) coots cover
building rooks cormorants flight
cast falcons
hawks cranes herd
cauldron raptors crows murder
muster
charm finches
hummingbirds dotterel trip
chattering starlings doves dule
flight
clamour rooks ducks raft
ducks (in flight) team
ducks (on water) paddling
company parrots eagles convocation
congress ravens falcons cast
congregation plovers finches charm
convocation eagles geese skein
geese (in flight) skein
geese (in V formation) wedge
geese (on water) gaggle
colony gulls
penguins goshawks flight
cover coots grouse covey
grouse (larger group) pack
grouse (single family) covey
covey grouse (single family)
partridges
ptarmigans
quail gulls colony
deceit lapwings hawks cast
descent woodpeckers hens brood
dissimulation birds herons siege
dule doves hummingbirds charm
exaltation larks jays band
party
fall woodcocks lapwings deceit
flight cormorants
doves
goshawks
pigeons
swallows larks exaltation
flock parrots
pigeons
swifts magpies tidings
flush mallards mallards flush
sord
gaggle geese (on water) nighthawks kettle
herd cranes
swans
wrens nightingales watch
host sparrows owls parliament
kettle nighthawks
raptors parrots company
flock
knob widgeons partridges covey
murmuration starlings peacocks muster
ostentation
murder crows penguins colony
muster crows
peacocks pheasants bouquet
mustering storks pheasants (family) brood
nye pheasants (large group) pheasants (large group) nye
ostentation peacocks pigeons flight
flock
pack grouse (large group) plovers congregation
paddling ducks (on water) poultry run
parliament owls ptarmigans covey
party jays quail bevy
covey
peep chickens raptors cauldron
kettle
pitying turtle doves ravens congress
unkindness
raft ducks rooks building
clamour
rafter turkeys snipe walk
wisp
run poultry sparrows host
siege bitterns
herons starlings chattering
murmuration
skein geese (in flight) storks mustering
sord mallards swallows flight
spring teal swans herd
whiteness
team ducks (in flight) swans (in V formation) wedge
tidings magpies swifts flock
trip dotterel teal spring
unkindness ravens turkeys rafter
walk snipe turtle doves pitying
watch nightingales widgeons knob
wedge swans (in V formation) woodcocks fall
whiteness swans woodpeckers descent
wisp snipe wrens herd
Not sure if these are all cosha ,C+P will be all over the place
Alphabetically by
Group Name Alphabetically by
Bird Name
Group Name Bird Name Bird Name Group Name
band jays birds dissimulation
bevy quail bitterns siege
bouquet pheasants chickens peep
brood hens
pheasants (family) coots cover
building rooks cormorants flight
cast falcons
hawks cranes herd
cauldron raptors crows murder
muster
charm finches
hummingbirds dotterel trip
chattering starlings doves dule
flight
clamour rooks ducks raft
ducks (in flight) team
ducks (on water) paddling
company parrots eagles convocation
congress ravens falcons cast
congregation plovers finches charm
convocation eagles geese skein
geese (in flight) skein
geese (in V formation) wedge
geese (on water) gaggle
colony gulls
penguins goshawks flight
cover coots grouse covey
grouse (larger group) pack
grouse (single family) covey
covey grouse (single family)
partridges
ptarmigans
quail gulls colony
deceit lapwings hawks cast
descent woodpeckers hens brood
dissimulation birds herons siege
dule doves hummingbirds charm
exaltation larks jays band
party
fall woodcocks lapwings deceit
flight cormorants
doves
goshawks
pigeons
swallows larks exaltation
flock parrots
pigeons
swifts magpies tidings
flush mallards mallards flush
sord
gaggle geese (on water) nighthawks kettle
herd cranes
swans
wrens nightingales watch
host sparrows owls parliament
kettle nighthawks
raptors parrots company
flock
knob widgeons partridges covey
murmuration starlings peacocks muster
ostentation
murder crows penguins colony
muster crows
peacocks pheasants bouquet
mustering storks pheasants (family) brood
nye pheasants (large group) pheasants (large group) nye
ostentation peacocks pigeons flight
flock
pack grouse (large group) plovers congregation
paddling ducks (on water) poultry run
parliament owls ptarmigans covey
party jays quail bevy
covey
peep chickens raptors cauldron
kettle
pitying turtle doves ravens congress
unkindness
raft ducks rooks building
clamour
rafter turkeys snipe walk
wisp
run poultry sparrows host
siege bitterns
herons starlings chattering
murmuration
skein geese (in flight) storks mustering
sord mallards swallows flight
spring teal swans herd
whiteness
team ducks (in flight) swans (in V formation) wedge
tidings magpies swifts flock
trip dotterel teal spring
unkindness ravens turkeys rafter
walk snipe turtle doves pitying
watch nightingales widgeons knob
wedge swans (in V formation) woodcocks fall
whiteness swans woodpeckers descent
wisp snipe wrens herd
Nice to see a bird thread. Lovely photo of the nesting robin too. Well done.
A pair of robins used my shed last year. They made their nest in a coil of old wire
I had on a shelf. I was afraid to disturb them at first, but we were quite good
friends by the time the brood fledged.
A pair of robins used my shed last year. They made their nest in a coil of old wire
I had on a shelf. I was afraid to disturb them at first, but we were quite good
friends by the time the brood fledged.
Robins are great and will soon show up when you are gardening, perched close by waiting for a tasty worm. Even had one feed out of my hand.
Thanks PeteTheBloke, good to see so many care about our feathered friends.
I-SPIED this on the lane up to Wiveliscombe today:
The story's even made the local press. Biggest news event to hit Wivvy since the Monmouth Rebellion.
The story's even made the local press. Biggest news event to hit Wivvy since the Monmouth Rebellion.
I have been watching crows building. They live in a sycamore to my left, but constantly fly to an ash on my right and spend ages cutting and breaking green wood twigs. They let em fall to the floor and gather them later if they are to large to fly through the branches with. Bird watching is nice.
London here
2 robins and a Wren - the wren - I only ever seen the one hops around the holes in the fence and in low lying bushes at the back of my house. I don't look out for it but it just appears sometimes. 11 years I have lived here backing on to a (small) river - it cannot be the same one I am sure. So how does that work?
We had a heron perched on top of a neighbour's chimney - they sure look good.
I have seen a pair of kingfishers tearing down the river at speed. What fantastic colours.!!!
2 robins and a Wren - the wren - I only ever seen the one hops around the holes in the fence and in low lying bushes at the back of my house. I don't look out for it but it just appears sometimes. 11 years I have lived here backing on to a (small) river - it cannot be the same one I am sure. So how does that work?
We had a heron perched on top of a neighbour's chimney - they sure look good.
I have seen a pair of kingfishers tearing down the river at speed. What fantastic colours.!!!
The only bird seen round here is the Chukar Partridge.
Male and female pheasant on the lawn this morning.
Sparrowhawk trying to get at birds in the hedge a month or so ago.
Mrs H has had a batch of hedgehogs from a local rescue centre to release into the wild.
Sparrowhawk trying to get at birds in the hedge a month or so ago.
Mrs H has had a batch of hedgehogs from a local rescue centre to release into the wild.
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