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Post by Louise on Jan 14, 2012 11:35:41 GMT
The goldfinch numbers are increasing by the day here  Today, the plant that is attracting large number is the verbena bonariensis, i've got several clumps of this around and each plant is weighed down with goldfinches at this very minute ;D I've seen 2 pairs of blackcaps buzzing about and the dunnocks are very busy too, all the other regulars are here but it's these groups that are noticeable today. This/last year i didn't cut any of the perennials back at the end of summer or autumn and so many of the seedheads are attracting so many different species that i'm going to do the same every year now. |
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Post by Cherry on Jan 14, 2012 12:01:37 GMT
You do have a large variety Louise. I have a hanging feeder with niger seed in it and have never seen a bird near this. The ones I have prefer the peanuts and fat balls. There was a goldfinch recently, so perhaps they may come. I still have to look the birds up in a book as I don't know what they all are.
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Post by Geranium on Jan 14, 2012 12:49:12 GMT
Our goldfinches haven't visited lately. I hope they do soon! Nor have the long-tailed tits.  |
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Post by peony on Jan 14, 2012 14:41:05 GMT
The goldfinch numbers are increasing by the day here Today, the plant that is attracting large number is the verbena bonariensis, i've got several clumps of this around and each plant is weighed down with goldfinches at this very minute ;D I've seen 2 pairs of blackcaps buzzing about and the dunnocks are very busy too, all the other regulars are here but it's these groups that are noticeable today. This/last year i didn't cut any of the perennials back at the end of summer or autumn and so many of the seedheads are attracting so many different species that i'm going to do the same every year now. I left the seed heads on my Echinaceas this year and most of them have now been eaten  |
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Post by merlin on Jan 14, 2012 16:11:52 GMT
Pity you didn't have the camera handy Louise, I wish we had Goldfinches. I've seen only two Chaffinches and one greenfinch  To compensate I saw some Long tailed tits this afternoon ;D There seems to be more bigger birds this year, even a cheeky Buzzard and more worrying I often have to scare away a hawk! |
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Post by cowslip on Jan 14, 2012 17:13:18 GMT
I've seen one of our robin's hanging and feeding on the nutfeeder this year. I've never noticed it before. Also the robins seem to be the only ones interested in eating the niger seed.
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Post by Cherry on Jan 14, 2012 17:31:06 GMT
I've seen one of our robin's hanging and feeding on the nutfeeder this year. I've never noticed it before. Also the robins seem to be the only ones interested in eating the niger seed. The robins here feed from the peanut feeder, but they don't look natural and there are oats and other bits on the floor of the safe house (dog kennel turned into bird house in winter). |
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Post by Louise on Jan 15, 2012 12:08:19 GMT
Robins and chaffinches are ground feeders really but here too they'll go onto the seed feeder perches, the chaffinches are as proficient as the rest of the finches but the robins just can't master it properly ! Today two male blackcaps are arguing with each other, there are females around too and i suppose there's machismo going on |
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Post by SueA on Jan 15, 2012 18:43:58 GMT
Our robin hops onto the hanging covered feeder I put out for the sparrows, it just grabs a suet nibble & hops off quickly! The blackbirds are building a nest in the conifer at the end of the garden already!
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Post by Louise on Jan 15, 2012 18:51:53 GMT
Ah yes, that's the feeder you showed us, the type i have here too - the blackcaps go onto them a lot at the moment, the tits too.
I've started putting sultanas, mealworms, suet pellets and pieces of the square suet block in them.
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Post by peony on Jan 15, 2012 19:10:31 GMT
I haven't seen any robins on my seed feeders but they use the bird table a lot, mainly taking suet nibbles, dried mealworms and the occasional sultana. |
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Post by peony on Jan 19, 2012 20:53:16 GMT
Morrisons had sultanas at half price today - 42p instead of 84p. I stocked up ;D |
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Post by Louise on Jan 20, 2012 7:32:01 GMT
Ooh, must go and do the same, thanks Peony |
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Post by SueA on Jan 20, 2012 14:56:04 GMT
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Post by Cherry on Jan 20, 2012 15:01:57 GMT
I still have to look the birds up in a book, but there is a goldfinch now so the niger seed has worked. The birds were going mad today because it rained this morning and they just love it. Of course, they have their big bath of water available too.
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