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Post by beejay on Jan 28, 2007 20:45:08 GMT
Dunnocks & sparrows are indeed completely different birds. Look at them together.
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Post by madonplants on Jan 28, 2007 21:58:22 GMT
I have the bird book that Bill Oddie uses and in that when you look up Dunnock, which I have just done, under hedge sparrow it says look at Dunnock. When I was young, there was confusion over it, but I was told the hedge sparrow had been re named Dunnock as it wasn't really a sparrow as such. Sparrows are Weaver finches, whereas the dunnock is an Accentor. Also check the RSPB site... www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/d/dunnock/index.aspKeith |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 28, 2007 22:18:53 GMT
On th RSPB form they have sent me dunnocks & hedge sparrows are listed separately. Janet. Hi Grannyjanny ;D The form I have has got Dunnocks and HOUSE sparrows listed seperately  S x |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2007 22:22:01 GMT
Plocket
Buzzards do not catch small birds. They are primarily carrion eaters though will catch rabbits, and will eat worms, beetles etc they find when walking over fields.
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Post by madonplants on Jan 29, 2007 0:46:49 GMT
Plocket Buzzards do not catch small birds. They are primarily carrion eaters though will catch rabbits, and will eat worms, beetles etc they find when walking over fields. Yes, but do the little birds know that, or do they just see a BOP in the sky!! Keith |
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Post by madonplants on Jan 29, 2007 9:30:38 GMT
Guess what? Opened the curtains at the patio doors and what was looking at me. 'My' blackbird. Now why couldn't he have been there yesterday, when I was doing my birdwatch. I thought he would have been the first bird down!!
Keith
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2007 17:34:50 GMT
On Saturday there were 8 starlings 2 blackbirds 1 sparrow 6 collared doves.
On Sunday there were 5 collared doves 1 blackbird.
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 9, 2007 12:15:37 GMT
Hope everyone is remembering to feed the birds and make sure they have water. Been out this morning with bits of bread and put some seed on the lawn for them, topped up several water containers that had frozen solid  Had to put more bits of bread out......the dog thought it was for her  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2007 17:44:18 GMT
I am
Feeding them with bread nuts sultanas seed apples fat balls, greedy devils ;D but they need to eat.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2007 20:35:25 GMT
I buy all my birdfood from CJ Wildbird Foods
I use their hi-energy no mess seed mix and peanut cakes with insects, oh and peanuts of couse.
At this time of year I just have half a peanut cake out and one large feeder with 8 holes, but once Spring arrives properly I use two large feeders, a litre peanut cake, two smaller peanut cakes for the Starlings and a ground table as well.
None of it lasts very long in Spring and summer.
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 13, 2007 7:33:37 GMT
The yellowhammers have finally arrived in my garden! I've missed them this winter. They're sooo pretty. They look very comical flitting about underneath my Maran chooks though - little and large!
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Post by JennyWrenn on Feb 13, 2007 7:41:02 GMT
I think a good idea to mention to all bird lovers that as they are flying low right now and a good chance of being hit by cars -so dont drive too fast - they can flit between and underneath cars, I saw this yesterday, but better to just look out and take care  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2007 7:55:03 GMT
Don't forget to make sure the birds have water to drink and bathe in too at this time of year. ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 13, 2007 8:27:54 GMT
Seems to be lots of birds about at the moment, blackbirds have been finishing off the last of the Mountain Ash berries and having a field day on the berries on the Ivy that grows next door. Lots of Blue Tits about and OH said we had Long Tail Tits in the gdn too.
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Post by blackrose on Feb 13, 2007 20:28:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2007 21:29:51 GMT
Someone told me if you saw a crow at the side of the road it was a dead railwayman.
Not sure if i believe them though.
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Post by madonplants on Feb 13, 2007 22:49:28 GMT
Those crows are rooks, but don't worry about it!!  Keith |
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Post by blackrose on Feb 13, 2007 22:58:13 GMT
Crows, rooks?  both the same in my book ;D look like crows sound like crows and the bug**rs are everywhere |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Feb 14, 2007 11:10:47 GMT
This old boy needs his corn to keep his strength up - there's 19 hens there, somewhere, just out of frame, lurking in the undergrowth... sorry it's a bit blurry - 'twas taken through a drizzly window. OM.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2007 21:12:45 GMT
My neighbour has been watching 3 parakeets flying round the allotments this week & one claiming a tree & screeching at the maggies & crows. I thought they were only wild in London
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Post by grannyjanny on Feb 14, 2007 21:30:55 GMT
Sat watching the birds yesterday morning & wondering when we would see a siskin. Looked again & there it was.
Janet.
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 15, 2007 0:01:48 GMT
Never heard of a Siskin so google imaged it, aren't they cute Have a couple of Robins about at the moment, they do sing there little heads off, luv um. Lots of different birds about at the moment |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2007 18:58:03 GMT
Has anybody tried putting currants out to attract the blackbirds. I read an article a while ago in an rspb mag. I decided to do the same and at the time I was nursing a broken foot so was at home for a few months. I put a few near my front door and from the very first day the blackbirds spotted them. That was 18 months ago. Now they wait for me each morning before I go to work. Some times they fly between the roof of the car and the garage waiting for their daily treat.
murrymint
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Post by Plocket on Feb 20, 2007 19:06:41 GMT
Hia Murraymint and welcome!
I used to put currants out to attract the blackbirds but the pigeons usually got to them first. If you soak them in water a bit first they swell up and are softer - I don't know how fussy your blackbirds are though!! Since they like your treats, try them on cooked potato and/or apples - they love them! An apple doesn't last a day in our garden ;D
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2007 19:24:04 GMT
Thanks Plocket, I'll have a go at that. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2007 19:25:23 GMT
I quite often leave an apple out and in a similar way to Plocket's garden, it hardly ever lasts a day ;D
We had a Great Spotted Woodpecker pay us a visit today ;D ;D
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Post by grannyjanny on Feb 20, 2007 19:55:22 GMT
I put apples & pears out for the birds & they love them. ATM Wilkinsons are selling sunflower hearts at £1. per kilo.
Last year we had a pair of reed buntings visiting our garden & one returned yesterday.
I wonder if the bull finches will be next.
Janet.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2007 15:36:46 GMT
I have been hanging fat blocks out and bread with a bit of fat mixed in it on the ground where the sparrows congregate, two neighbouring cats have taken to coming in and eating the bread and fat!! The birds just ignore them and feed of whatever is hanging up.
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 24, 2007 20:04:12 GMT
I gave up with Fat Balls, they didn't last 5 minutes once the Starlings found them I have put out a little mashed potato for the birds and they love it, I also put out bread and seed too |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2007 17:56:48 GMT
I have had a green finch visit with his wife yesterday and this afternoon, do not see many of them around here, 1st time in 8 years! Then to boot a couple of gold finches this afternoon. It was like all my christmas's had come at once ;D Sara |
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both the same in my book ;D look like crows sound like crows and the bug**rs are everywhere
