Watch the Birdie!

[dm383]

I remember a thread Sharniqua ran quite a while ago about aquariums folk had, what was in 'em, etc.

That thread produced some nice pics of various wee fishies, I seem to recall, and following on from the revamp of our garden, I thought I'd ask if anyone has a bird-table or similar in their gardens.

If so, what kind of birds visit you, and have you managed to catch them on camera?

Ours has only been up for about two months now, and so far we've had - sparrows (house & hedge both), crows (they fell off! :) ), a couple of robins (they look weird, with very little red on them!) and some starlings.

Unfortunately, all I've managed to get pix of is a starling, but it kinda gives an idea what I'm hoping for.

Anyone else got any birdie pix?

DM

[dicksbro]

Not sure that I have pictures ... which is surprising for me ... but in addition to sparrows, robins and crows ... we have seen woodpeckers, bluejays, cardinals, a pair of doves, finch, hummingbirds, one hawk (once), and several owls up in our trees.

I loved one morning, our cat was sitting on a chair looking out the window at a robin on the sill. It was looking at the cat. It was cute seeing the two staring at each other. I call the "window seat" our cat's television set.

Also love watching the squirrels and rabbits play.

You know, nature is fun to watch. :)

[Steph]

LOL @ the cat's TV seat

My boyfriend suggested I get a bird feeder for the balcony this winter. Yours is gorgeous, DM!

[lakritze]

A couple of years ago while walking up the pathway to our pool,I was almost acosted by a dead rabbit falling from a tree, What flew down afterwards was a condor. He was standing there skwaking. It must of had a three food wing span. I walked to the far side of the pool and sat there watching him until he took off circling the area and then soared off.The next day I saw him again.After that,never again. Occasionally I see a couple of vacationing mallards splashing around in the pool.They are from a near by park but must sneak off for some privacy.

[dm383]

LOL @ the cat's TV seat

My boyfriend suggested I get a bird feeder for the balcony this winter. Yours is gorgeous, DM!

It's proving to be quite entertaining Steph! Re the table - I got it from an ogranisation over here called the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). They do a whole load of different tables, feeders etc., for a very reasonable cost.

The problem with having it hanging on the fence though, is that Cookie, the local squirrel, has taken a liking to the peanuts - little sod is scaring all the birds away! I'll need to think about that one!! :hair:

DM

[dm383]

Got these two pics yesterday...... first one is two of those damn Starlings, sitting on the fence having a natter before they flew down and chased the sparrows away - again!

Second one is of the thricebedamned squirrel, Cookie. Right inside the table, trying to pull up the peanut bag off it's hook! Cheeky little sod didn't even move when I rattled the door, either; had to physically go outside to chase him off!!

Anyone got any anti-squirrel ideas?

DM

[dicksbro]

I put this in the jokes thread ... but it kinda fits here ... so, I'll double post ...

----

Cleaning out the aviary at a run-down zoo, the keeper finds two finches that have died of old age. He picks them up and places them in a sack. After cleaning the cage he puts the sack in his wheelbarrow and moves on to the next cage.

When he reaches the primate cage he finds two chimps who have also died of natural causes. "Waste not, want not," he says as puts them in the sack with the finches.

Later at feeding time, he flips the dead animals from the sack, into the lions' cage.

"Bloody bore!" roars the lion. "Not finch and chimps again!"

:D

[Steph]

ROFL DB! Very appropriate joke!

Oh man, I don't know how you're going to get rid of a squirrel when he's got such temptations there, DM!

[dm383]

Didn't manage to get any pics, unfortunately, but we had what looked like a breeding pair of Coal tits at the table this morning - they're quite rare round our way.

Very close together ALL the time, then flew off together when herself came back from doing the horses (Which is why I didn't get a picture.....doh!)

Keep ya posted.

DM

[dm383]

Got a few pics of various birds over the festive period. unfortunately, the best ones were taken on my SLR, and I haven't learned to drive my new scanner yet!

Anyway, here's the best of the digital ones, although some are a bit blurred due to the distance..... hope you like.

First one - a cheeky Chaffinch, deciding whether or not to try the feeder (he did)

DM

[dm383]

This is (obviously....doh) a blackbird, who somehow found himself inside the bird-table

[dm383]

These two are just two of the dozen or so (I reckon) blue tits that are becoming regulars at my table.

First one was/is (I promise!!) looking straight at me when I took this photo; in the second, the Blur at left of the blue feeder is Mr Blue taking off in a hurry!

[dm383]

Thought you might like to see where all the "action" takes place...... this was taken at night during our little 'cold snap'.

That's all for now.....see you soon.

DM

[Lilith]

That is a beautiful little area you have there. No wonder the birds want to visit.

[dicksbro]

I agree. Heck, I'd stop by if I could. :D

Great pictures, DM. Thanks for sharing them.

[dm383]

With the advent of some proper snow on saturday night, this is what greeted us on sunday morning...........

[dm383]

Of course, none of that bothers our feathered friends!

[dm383]

We don't just have Chaffinches round here....... there's a couple varieties of sparrow, too!

[dm383]

The seed feeder got plenty of attention, occasionally leading to a bout of ......fisticuffs?!!!

[dm383]

Do you think birds can be as vain as us humans?!

This was a fun morning for us, just sitting quietly (daughter included!) watching the frantic activity outside. I got loads more, but picked some of the best for your enjoyment - hope you liked them!

DM

[Irish]

Got these two pics yesterday...... first one is two of those damn Starlings, sitting on the fence having a natter before they flew down and chased the sparrows away - again!

Second one is of the thricebedamned squirrel, Cookie. Right inside the table, trying to pull up the peanut bag off it's hook! Cheeky little sod didn't even move when I rattled the door, either; had to physically go outside to chase him off!!

Anyone got any anti-squirrel ideas?

DM
DM---I don't know if this will help you any.A few years ago,I built,my wife,a
bird feeding post.It has 4 feeders on it.It sits on a 4/4 post.The squirrels were
always eating the seed.I don't mind the birds,but I'll be damned if I'm going
to buy seed for the squirrels.I bought some stovepipe @ that keeps them from climbing the post.I just screwed the stovepipe,to the post.Other than that,all I can suggest,is a pellet gun or 22,but that will get PETA upset.
(Who Cares?) Irish :D

[dm383]

DM---I don't know if this will help you any.A few years ago,I built,my wife,a
bird feeding post.It has 4 feeders on it.It sits on a 4/4 post.The squirrels were
always eating the seed.I don't mind the birds,but I'll be damned if I'm going
to buy seed for the squirrels.I bought some stovepipe @ that keeps them from climbing the post.I just screwed the stovepipe,to the post.Other than that,all I can suggest,is a pellet gun or 22,but that will get PETA upset.
(Who Cares?) Irish :D

Nice idea, Irish, but; he's transferred his attentions to the peanut feeders on the fence now.You were right about the gun option too, only it'd be her indoors, NOT PETA or any of their ilk!!

DM

[dm383]

Got some shots of a wild buzzard yesterday...... having trouble re-sizing them at the moment, hopefully will able to post them later on, or tomorrow.

DM

[dm383]

OK, here we go. (Some of these are a bit "shaky" I'm afraid..... I was in the car a lo-o-o-ng way from him!!)

This first one is when I first saw him, hovering just off the side of the road

[dm383]

Number two is where (I presume) he spots dinner...... about 1½ seconds after this, he was in mid-swoop! Buggeritall anyway! :(

[dm383]

In these two, he's examining his catch then, a few seconds later, decided to swallow it whole. Those of you who are a little squeamish may not wish to view these.........

[dm383]

This last one surprised me.... who'da thunk a bird of prey would scratch itself? They do!!

Hope you liked.

DM