Attracting Wild Birds To Our Garden

2011-06-01T22:13:00.006+01:00

More shots of our Brock and Reynard families.......... I think this says "don't mess with me"

This one shows Mom and Baby although the shot is not the best to show the difference in size, baby is on the right and is a fair bit smaller than Mom but growing daily LOL

These three shots show how our Brocks and Reynards live in relative harmony at approx 9.45pm this evening we had three fox cubs and Mom,Dad and Baby Brock all in various parts of the garden at the same time :-)))))

2011-05-30T21:39:00.002+01:00

Sorry for the camera shake on this one folks but I would like to introduce you to Baby Brock 2011, not sure if it's a Miss or a Master but Mom and Dad were watching from the wings, unfortunately I had the long lens on the camera, didn't think he'd stay long enough for me to get him and I had the camera in my hand as I stood on the patio quietly observing him eating his supper so therefore a lot of camera shake the blooming lens is heavy LOL

2011-05-24T17:15:00.007+01:00

Firstly I apologise for the quality of these shots, the camera was in my hand with the long lens on and keeping it still whilst trying to stop "The Padster" from chasing the birds was quite difficult LOL.................
Last year was a first for us with the Starlings, this year you wouldn't believe how many we have bringing their youngsters in....... difficult to count with the frantic behaviour but I got up to 75 today all in at the same time before it got so difficult to see through them LOL

They were all over the feeders and the bird bath, feeders topped up five times since 2.30pm fairy cakes are the favourites and I'm afraid they've had their lot for today, this is getting very expensive LOL, following the feast they decided to fight over the bird bath.........

The noise was just tremendous not the most pleasant bird song but the iridescent colours of these birds is just something else.......

Finally time to take off to the woods....... Love these birds but wish they weren't quite so flipping greedy our little fella's just haven't stood a chance today LOL

2011-05-23T18:15:00.006+01:00

Hello All, finally blew the dust off my camera tried to remember how to use the flaming thing and by jingo this little baby came in just at the right time, we have done really well for babies this year we have had three blue tit families come into our garden albeit only one nested in our nest box, the other nest box was investigated but not used, the others nested in the nearby woodland. In addition we have had two families of Great Tits who also nested in the nearby woodland both of which have given us the privilege to watch them feed the babies. The blackbirds and starling have bought babies in abundance and our resident bullfinch and GSW appear to still be taking sunflower and fairy cakes back into the woodland so we're hoping that very soon we may be privileged to meet their youngsters.

I'm sorry I haven't been on the blog much at all but my ageing affectionately called wrinklies are getting to the stage where they now need more and more of my time and although our birdies do not suffer in the least unfortunately my computer time does but never mind it's nice to pop on now and again.....

The two shots above are of our very naughty but very much loved and scruffy looking Patrick aka "Paddy Pup" to the kids and "The Padster" to nearly everyone else. We can't believe how quickly the last twelve months have gone and he will be One on June 11th. So very much a different dog to our beloved Charley, so mischievous and into everything but much loved all the same

2010-10-10T18:24:00.002+01:00

For those of you that might be interested this is Patrick aka Paddy aka Pads at 18 weeks, even I was astounded at how much he has changed in such a short space of time. He is still very wilful and very naughty on occasions but on the whole the training regime is very slowly working. We have been told by local puppy trainers that Paddy is a very intelligent Puppy and the training in these cases can be so much more difficult because he prefers his own will to ours. Very slowly we are getting there LOL

2010-08-08T10:56:00.007+01:00

I would like to share with you a series of shots of Patrick aka Paddy, Pads or Gnasher as my Husband now like to call him!!!!!!
This one was taken 1 hour after returning home from collecting him, as you can see we have a very nervous Pup on our hands - NOT !!!!!!!!!

This one taken shortly after was when we were trying to tell him his blanket is for comfort not play !!!!!!!!!!

Oh well even Paddy has to rest sometimes just not often !!!!!!!!!

And this final one was taken yesterday afternoon after a long and very tiring week - we have ourselves a very well balanced bold little Puppy who appears to be afraid of very little. I'm not quite sure how our birdies are going to cope with this little chap once he can go outside, he is already chasing the "Wizzles" thro' the patio door.
I worried that I would not love this little chap as much as I did my beloved Charley Dog and hoped that he would be a different Dog so as the comparison would not be often made, someone at our chapel once told me "Be careful what you wish for" and believe me these words of advice are ringing in my ears, this little chap is so very different from Chaz, he will boldly go where no man (or Dog) has been before and I am going to have to get really tough with his training regime. He has a very strong character and is very tough on the old nerves (I forget sometimes I am now 12 years older and the patience sometimes waivers). Yesterday showed a slight improvement when he at least went to his training pads and did something every time rather than attempt to drag them around the house first LOL. He has also started to return his toys back to me on the odd occasion, is this more by luck or judgement she asks herself ???
This morning brings the feeling in my heart that if we all sing from the same hymn sheet in this abode we are going to be rewarded with a very faithful friend who is so very different from his Big Bro'

Hope you enjoy my shots of this dear but wily Pup.xxxxxx

2010-07-28T08:42:00.002+01:00

Latest shots of the our adorable little Patrick aka Paddy or Pads as I think will be the shortest name that will be used. We pick this little fella up on Saturday and as you may guess we just cannot wait. Maybe one day I might get round to using this blog for our garden wildlife and not our pets but for now Pads is filling the hole in our souls xxxxxx

2010-07-06T23:42:00.001+01:00

Updated shot of the little fella - not a very good upload due to it coming from Helen's Face Book page but at least you can see how he's growing - we just cannot wait LOL

2010-06-25T23:04:00.004+01:00

I'd like to introduce you all to "Patrick" aka "Paddy" the new addition to our family who should join us in about 4 and half weeks time - Well folks what can I say - I think the pictures say it all - Just adorable xxxxx

2010-06-07T15:52:00.003+01:00

Aren't we just the lucky ones, we have had this pair in the garden all day. Like his/her Mommy the Baby GSW just loves "Tesco's" cheapo fairy cakes. What an absolute privilege to have these delightful birds feeding so close to our house

2010-05-29T17:54:00.003+01:00

More shots of "The Prince Of Darkness" aka OZZY. It's really going to be a wrench to give this delightful little chap back to his rightful owners at the end of this week LOL

2010-05-27T21:47:00.005+01:00

Just thought you might like a little glimpse of the "Foster Kid" we have for the week - Isn't he just adorable, I might be gasping for breath by the end of the week mind - where does he get his energy from LOL

2010-05-27T15:44:00.006+01:00

First shot shows he who waits and second shot although shutter speed to slow shows , gets

I've been on guard with the water cannon all the time I've been here today just in case this greedy guy's patience in waiting paid off also. So far so good LOL

2010-05-14T17:35:00.005+01:00

JUST MAGICAL

Upon my return from my caring duties today I was more than privileged to find this scene in our back garden. I cannot believe how lucky we are that these wonderful wild creatures trust us enough to even bring in their youngsters in broad daylight. The nipper was more than interested in the Collie Doves but seemingly only to play with rather than eat. They flew off totally unharmed and Mom and Baby were treated to our dear Daughters Chicken for their tea. She has had a Pukka Pie and Chips LOL

2010-05-14T09:33:00.014+01:00

Our Garden is a haven of activity this morning, the blue tits are back and forth to the nesting box with a vengeance so I'm guessing hatching as taken place?????

In addition we had this little beauty on our feeders first thing now as per last year my knowledge with the baby birds is not quite as it should be. I think this is maybe a baby Greenfinch, however, the Goldies were hanging around him so could it be a baby Goldie??? Perhaps someone could correct me please. Either way isn't it lovely.

These two shots are very out of focus, this little chap flits in and out very quickly and is new to our garden this season. The camera was focused on the nearer feeders and my fingers were just not quick enough to get it sharp!!!!!

These beauties have only just started to come back in their numbers and have been hanging around quite a lot this morning, we had 8 on various feeders all at the same time at one point LOL

Again new to our garden this season and a bird as a novice I considered to be a menace, now our garden would just not be complete without the morning edition of "The Sturky Show" LOL

Again this pair are following exactly the same pattern as last year so I'm guessing they're feeding young and the just love our fairy cakes. As you can see this is the male but the female follows in right after him and they follow the same flight path back into a hollow tree in our adjacent woodland - Hooray she says LOL

2010-05-12T10:47:00.009+01:00

At the start of today I was glad to be able to get a shot of these two regulars, it looked very much as if was going to be a very quiet day for the birdies here in the Black Country

However it wasn't long before our new friend the "sturkies" came to visit and as usual Mr/Mrs Maggie was keeping a very close eye on them!!!! LOL

This is Mr Blue Tit fetching elevenses for his hungry bride who I assume is sitting on the eggs of their new family as he grabs a morsel of fairy cake for her. I apologise for the quality of the second shot it's of him taking it back to her, the box is over 100 feet away from my camera so taking in to account my photography skills are very limited I was very lucky to get this shot!!!!

And the finale to my morning was the very welcomed visits from our newly returned swifts, apologies again for the basic skills here, The picture doesn't do the swifts any justice at all, there were 50 or more in the sky at the same time and the racket - well I couldn't here myself think. All we now need for a summer is the sun LOL

2010-05-08T18:50:00.016+01:00

One of our first visitors of the day, this chap never ceases to delight our garden.

Another one of our early visitors, again it's always a delight to see this beautiful bird in our garden.

This adorable little chap was brought in by his Mom first thing too, awful picture camera just wasn't ready and the photographer doesn't get much better but I just couldn't leave him out LOL

This chap has caused havoc in our garden today with the little fellows below. he just wouldn't leave them alone. He even caught one of them until I and the fellow starling chased the Magpie off. Doesn't he look just menacing !!!!!

2010-05-03T10:44:00.002+01:00

For anyone who might be interested this is he little memorial we have set up for our beloved Charley Dog. Charley's ashes are in a casket that has been sealed and made watertight and the cavity below the stone is completely accessible and if we should decide to move home our beloved little Dog will be able to move with us. The inscription that reads "Hello Muttfuss" is the endearing term used by my Other Half and our Daughter whenever they returned home. Not "hello" to me always a first "hello" to Charley using his affectionate pet name. This little Dog is still very sorely missed.

2010-04-11T11:28:00.001+01:00

For those of you who may be interested or who have been following the treatment for our beloved little Mutt Charley it is with much sadness and regret that I have to inform you that Charley Boy passed away peacefully in his sleep sometime between 3am and 6am this morning. God Bless You Charley Boy you will always have a very special place in our hearts with love from Mom, Dad and Kate xxxx

2010-03-10T17:10:00.001Z

Best shot I could manage to get of Mrs Bluetit checking out their (hopeful) new home. Bird box is about 120 foot away from my camera so the long lens didn't do a bad job.

2010-03-09T11:21:00.001Z

I took quite a few shots of this Song Thrush on the remains of our Christmas Cake. This shot was taken when the snow was still with us but guess what folks, he still visits and the weekly shopping list now includes a slab of fruit cake just for him LOL

2010-03-09T11:17:00.002Z

These are two shots taken when the snow was still on the ground Woodpecker was a way off and my camera skills are still to improve!!!!! They are now starting the drumming for mating and nesting so here's hoping for babies again this year.

The Robin is always a favourite in our garden and this again was taken some weeks ago . They have now become very territorial and we only ever see two in the garden at one time. Any intruders are very quickly dealt with LOL

2010-03-09T11:14:00.001Z

I just loved this shot, you can see the Goldie fuzzed out in the background waiting to jump down onto the nearby sunflowers. It's almost as if he's waiting for the beautiful little LTT to finish his fairy cake. as you can see the fairy cakes do not last long in our feeders LOL

2010-03-09T11:12:00.001Z

Do you think the Goldie nearer the camera is saying "a little bit of privacy whilst having our breakfast wouldn't go amiss if you don't mind"

2010-03-09T11:04:00.002Z

Time slots have been

short and varied over the last few months and I haven't updated my blog much at all. However, late last evening we were privileged to have the final visit of the day from Mr & Mrs Bullfinch. This moment I would like to share with you.

These birds in our garden are rarely seen alone, they always come together and if one should land on the feeder first he or she will always call for the other and feeding rarely starts until they are perched as the above picture shows side by side. I reckon if I rang Phillip and Fern these two should automatically qualify for a place on Mr & Mrs LOL

2009-07-31T10:57:00.007+01:00

These are some poor shots of a delightful breakfast time for one of our baby greenfinches, as you can see my camera skills are just about rubbish, the little fella just wouldn't keep his wings still whilst shouting for his brekkie!!!!!

At the same time as the youngster was being fed on the adjacent branch these fella's were helping themselves from the hanging feeder!!!!

2009-07-12T13:44:00.002+01:00

I'm starting to get more and more interested in the other fluttery things in our garden just lately, although there aren't that many of them, we have had a couple of visits from the painted lady butterfly but by the time I've got the camera off the tripod they've moved on. We have a few of what I've always called cabbage whites and tons of moths at night. This one landed on our lounge wall last Saturday night and although I'm useless at identification I would be ever so grateful if anyone could identify this little creature. it was very tiny so the picture has been severely cropped, about 1.5 inches across and less than an inch long.

2009-06-27T10:27:00.004+01:00

This little Coalie looks very bedraggled this morning but again I was in the right place at the right time, he just hates having is picture taken!!!!

The Bluetits are starting to perk up a bit as far as appearance goes and they will always stay for a mugshot, we seem to have more Bluetits than any other bird so far this year!!!

This sort of action gave me a huge fright last year when I though the poor birds were all dying, this was taken on one of the hotter days in the week, not a very good shot because Mr Blackbird was at the very bottom of the garden and I had the sun in the lens but you can just about see him having a sunbathe. hope he put the factor 30 on!!!!!

2009-06-22T19:29:00.014+01:00

Our day for the babies today, the little ones didn't seem to mind the noise from the cement mixer as much as their parents did!!
Isn't this baby Greenfinch just adorable peeping out from our Dwarf Conifer Island. After much coaxing from Mom he/she finally managed to suss out how to feed from the "Wizzle" Buster

Then came the turn of this baby Blackbird who just loved the mealies!!!

And finally we had the visit from the beautiful Baby Bully to have his/her feed, again he/she has just about learnt how to hang from the "Wizzle" buster

2009-06-22T09:25:00.008+01:00

Each morning after I've topped up the feeders I always put a handful of sunflower hearts on the niger feeder tray in case the young bullfinch fancies a change from the millet. This cheeky wood pigeon sits and waits most mornings and has his scoff before any other bird can get to it. I've got so used to it now and find it so comical so I guess this tray has become "woodies" own!!!!

The Greenfinches seem a little bit more wary of the builders next door so It was a pleasure to see them back this weekend, builders back again now so I'm guessing our birds will be staying in the trees and bushes until they leave this evening!!!

Whilst training the lens on the feeding Greenfinches I couldn't help but notice how beautiful our tree peony is this year especially when you get in close. OH said "my oh my those petals look just like tissue paper"

First picture not focused correctly but I couldn't resist capturing how many mealies our resident and most dominant blackbird who we call "Jade" can get in his beak at the same time!!!!

And finally one of our delightful Goldfinch pairs, considering we were pulling our hair out at our lack of the finch visits when we first starting feeding the garden birds properly we really aren't doing too badly now. Once the builders have departed for the day they Gold, Chaff and Green finches come in at least three pairs.

2009-06-15T12:18:00.004+01:00

Right place at the exact right time this morning !! This is who I believe to be our new baby Bullfinch, I'm OK with identifying these baby birds when the parents are feeding but when they become a little bit more independent I struggle a bit (still fairly new to the baby bits). Could someone correct me if my ID is incorrect - Thank you

Incidentally he/she is feeding from the millet spray that I put there quite some time ago the other birds just ignore it!!!

2009-06-11T18:08:00.004+01:00

This fellow is still coming back and forth this shot was taken on the nearest fairy cake feeder to the house, his youngster was hanging about with Mom on the lower fairy cake feeder, just a tad too far to get a decent shot

Couple of shots of again in my inexperience of what I believe is a juvenile Goldfinch.

2009-06-10T18:21:00.002+01:00

Now this is definitely where I need the experts - Am I right in thinking that this is a young Dunnock, he sat there for ages on the fence right by the patio window, didn't seem in the slightest afraid of anything!!!!!

2009-06-07T18:19:00.009+01:00

Just a shot of one of our very many Greenfinches, we have just been to feed my brothers animals and top up his outside feeders and he too has many Greenfinches and we were lucky enough to see a few of his resident Siskins, we just don't seem to attract them at all here!!!

Rather a poor shot but our resident Great Tits are usually very camera shy and getting them on film is almost impossible, this one was watching Mom & Babies in a nearby tree and was just keeping vigil!!

I thought this slightly obscured shot of one of our now resident goldfinches looked rather nice with the red of the tree on the opposite side!!!

This is the first shot I've managed to get of Mommy Blue Tit feeding one of her five remaining youngsters, this is the one of the brood of 15 that I actually saw leave the nest!!!

Could someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is a young blackbird trying to get the hang of hanging off our fairy cake holder!!

2009-05-28T19:10:00.003+01:00

My Dear Uncle has just e mailed this shot of Lake Vrynwy. He took the shot this afternoon whilst finalising details of a charity walk we are doing for their late son's charity on June 6th. Andrew died from a Brain tumour three years ago and they set up a charity to help with Braun Tumour Research. The walk is around the lake and will take approx 4 hours to complete. The small white cars on the horizon of the picture are to show me the picnic area where I am to take my Dad whilst the walk is taking place. Dad being severely disabled would have to be pushed all the way around in his wheelchair and I thought I might need a wooden box myself if I attempted to do that. My Husband and daughter will be taking part though!! The shot was taken from the terrace of The Lake Vyrnwy Hotel where they were lucky enough to meet the crew of Springwatch this afternoon. All of the crew expressed how lucky they were to have landed a job in such a beautiful part of the world. My Aunt & Uncle live in a cottage in the hills overlooking Lake Bala. To stay there is just bliss!!!!

2009-05-18T16:43:00.008+01:00

This chap and his wife have been constant visitors again today, back and forth relentlessly, I hope they have made our garden their home, The Mr on the branch tends to prefer the fairy cakes (he was just having a break as I clicked the lens shut) and his wife seems to prefer the fat cake and the nuts (maybe she has beeen warned off his stash of cakes!!!!!

We have also been inundated with these guys and their mates today, at one point I counted 7 in the garden at the same time all feeding from different feeders!!

I'm glad to say the Goldies are coming back in their numbers too!! Not as many as the Greenfinches but most of the time we have had the two feeding together on the bottom niger feeder and the lone one on the mid garden niger!!

2009-05-17T11:18:00.020+01:00

Not the best picture I've ever taken but I was hoping someone might be able to confirm my guess in that these high soarers are in fact swifts!!

The magpie is a daily visitor especially when the soaked mealworms are put out first thing, not everyones's cup of tea the magpie but I find him to be a very magnificent looking bird! The Robin visits are on the increase again and our very loyal Blackbirds have never left, as you can see Jade The Brave has even managed to suss how to hang onto the fairy cakes, he just won't be left out where the good food is concerned!!

Our Bullfinch visits haven't been as frequent of late, the male has been popping in occasionally but the last few days have shown their return, the wife she comes in far less frequently than her husband but nevertheless has shown her face. Again let's hope the little ones are told about our cafe!!

I Got very confused with this little chap/chapess yesterday but after advice I think this may well be a very tired and bedraggled adult!!

This chap has been very regular indeed for the last week, he occasionally brings his wife along but more often than not he comes alone. Let's hope Papa Woody tells his kids where the fairy cakes are!!!

2009-05-12T09:54:00.015+01:00

After our recent home improvements I'm happy to report that I am now able to spend a little bit more time with our beloved birds and my camera. as you can see from the shot above our birds appear to get on in perfect harmony at the moment. The wood Pigeons were happily munching away with the green, gold,and bullfinches in the hanging feeders this morning. their mates were mopping up on the ground with the chaffinches , dunnocks, 2 Sturkies and the collared doves.

This Little chap has made daily visits during may but like his colleagues they have been a little less frequent, however, we have caught sight of him and his mates this morning but sadly no babes as yet!!!

Our goldfinch visits have understandably dropped off over the last two week but we have had a visit from our usual four this morning, here's one of them on the niger!!

Our Tit visits have dropped considerably too but the start of this week has shown them to be returning, today we have had coal, great, blue and LTT visits - hooray!!!!!

Here is a shot of one of our blue tits attacking the fairy cakes!!

Our male bullfinch as also been making occasional daily visits during May but until today always without the wife, she came in very briefly this morning so hopefully she's taking food back to her babies !!!

In addition to today's shots we have had visits from the male and female woodpecker who seem particularly interested in the FAIRY CAKES but are so camera shy they take off at the slightest movement!

2009-04-19T10:54:00.016+01:00

Not the best shots I've ever taken of the goldfinches but "DD" was cleaning her car and at best she's never quiet so he was disturbed before the camera was set up properly, nevertheless he & his family have been back a few times since!!!!

Don't you think our resident bullfinch is just so beautiful !!!!
But I'm guessing from the face on shot here, he may be telling me not as politely as he could where to stick my camera lens!!!!!

Not always a welcomed guest into a lot of gardens but our shy guy here is much loved in ours , he is taking soaked meal worms to his family nesting in a tall silver birch which is why I think he was more prepared to risk staying for the "shoot" isn't he just magnificent!!!

And how can I leave this cheeky little so & so out!!! At least he is eating the nuts from his own nut sphere which is always filled especially for him and his ever growing family!!!!!!!

2009-04-06T10:44:00.005+01:00

I decided to make a bit of time to improve my camera skills this morning but I knew I should have listened to my friend when she says "if you wish to make God smile, tell him your plans" because the birds have definitely had other idea's today so far!!!!

This chap did decide to contemplate a bath but i fell sure he knew the camera was focused on him, shouldn't complain i for one would object to being photographed in the bath!!!!!

The coal tit hasn't been as regular a visitor of late so I was pleased to capture him on "censor" this morning (can't say film anymore apparently!!!

I'm pleased to say that the greenfinches have become somewhat regular, that is until the rest of this one's family realised the paparazzi were around this morning!!!!!

2009-04-02T09:18:00.003+01:00

Very unusual for this fellow to come in alone this morning , I'm guessing and hoping that the "Mrs" is busy making houses somewhere near!!!!

2009-04-02T09:08:00.005+01:00

Not the best picture I have ever taken but this woodpecker of ours is so shy, the slightest chance of someone being behind the lens of the camera and he's off (photo doesn't show his red nape but believe me it is there)!!!

2009-03-31T19:13:00.002+01:00

Came home to find this beautiful almost pure white pigeon in our garden today, first time I've caught sight of it, it was happily eating away with the normal wood pigeons. Do you think it is an escapee from someones pigeon loft????

2009-03-29T22:28:00.003+01:00

These shots were taken a couple of days ago and aren't the best pictures I've ever taken but our elusive Mr Tom Magpie very rarely stays for a photo he sees the slightest movement and he's off but I just happened to be in the right place at the right time!!!

The one of the nest box is just me testing to see if the 300mm lens would pick up the nest box hole from some 100 foot away about the same distance as the Magpie and the Goldfinches!!

2009-03-07T09:28:00.017Z

First picture of this little fellow/fellowess for a while, he/she comes everyday but tends to be a tad camera shy!!!!

These two along with two of their friend/enemies (they don't appear to get on as a foursome, but do come together, the two chase the other two off)

come everyday now!!!

Our regular Mr & Mrs Jim Bullyfinch, can't help thinking the Mrs is telling the greenfinch on the mini squirrel buster "This is my feeding zone"!!!!!!, The picture of Mrs on the niger feeder is when the greenfinch chased her off her own Patch!!!!

It's not often the greenfinch stays when he sees me appear behind the lens, i was either very discreet or he was very hungry this morning!!!!

I think you can see him telling me enough is enough with darned camera!!!!

Isn't the greenfinch a very angry vicious looking bird, very handsome mind!!!!

The finches occasionally let the little blue tit stay for a feed as well, most often than not she gets chased away!!!!!

2009-03-05T10:18:00.006Z

This little lady (I think it's a lady because the red isn't going right around the eye, perhaps someone could correct me) decided to come alone this morning!!

Mr & Mrs came together though, first photo of these two for a while now their visits aren't quite so frequent as they once were!!!

2009-03-03T09:41:00.004Z

These are the only shots I managed to get this morning, although not the best focused the little blue tit peeping out from behind the fairy cakes really made me smile.

And just look at the magnificent Jade The Brave Blackbird, he has almost become a pet now he seem to follow Charley Dog and myself around the garden I will be very sad if he decides to move on to pastures greener!!!!

2009-02-27T08:08:00.005Z

Apart from Jade the brave blackbird and Scooter the scatty robin this character is all I have managed to see so far this morning!!! The first two shots I took are a bit blurred didn't set up the camera in case he flew off but he stayed for a couple of minutes!!

2009-02-26T16:40:00.004Z

First time the bullfinches have posed for the camera for a while now and also the first time they have dined from the same plate. Love is in the air I hope!!!! Not really sure what madam has in her mouth on the top right picture, I'm guessing it's a piece of maize!!!!!

2009-02-20T11:35:00.003Z

At least the Goldies have made an appearance today, nothing else seems in the slightest bit interested today apart from the ever faithful blackbirds and of cause this little loan LTT (just couldn't leave him out!!!)

2009-02-17T17:12:00.003Z

Well folks a really disappointing day today, a fair few visitors this morning but not staying long and I didn't have a lot of time to watch , the few minutes I had allowed me to capture just the two shots, LTT's are getting very regular now I can almost guarantee they will be waiting for the fairy cakes to be replenished.

It's not that often the coal tit will pose so I just had to snap that one!!!

2009-02-16T17:01:00.003Z

Quite a few visitors this morning coming in dribs and drabs again but the only visitors upon my return home are these greedy little monsters, I hate to think what those fairy cakes are doing to there teeth!!!!

2009-02-16T09:32:00.002Z

When I looked more closely at my shots I noticed Mr Heron seems to have gained the Interest of Mr Tom, first shot I have managed to get of our regular Magpie, quite by chance and not the best but you can see he's there!!!

2009-02-16T09:14:00.002Z

Shot taken early this morning, I heard a loud cackle and then the light suddenly faded, fearing the next major air disaster was about to happen in our garden I went into the garden to see this monster landing in next doors tree!! Quite a bit of shouting followed from a nearby house who has a pool full to the brim of prize Koi Carp!!!!

2009-02-15T10:37:00.006Z

I Reckon first shot of today and he's saying "Oh no not that mad woman with her camera again"!!!!

And this one "Did something just pass over my head?"

And another visit from this very tiny, very pretty little bird again!!!

2009-02-14T14:56:00.005Z

At last he/she came to feed could someone put me right on the sex of this bird somehow it doesn't seem bright enough for the male. Little Coalie seems very brave considering the fierce some beak on that guy!!!
I apologise for the quality of these pictures although mine are never quite professional these were taken before I had chance to even look at the camera settings I just didn't think he'd stay Long enough!!!

Good old fairy cakes are still keeping these little guys happy, making their visits almost throughout the day now in numbers of up to 15 at a time!!!

2009-02-12T10:57:00.005Z

Four of these guys are visiting quite regularly now, never seem to able to get a shot of the four of them together as soon as they see the shadow behind the camera the get jittery

Today's Visit at last, as you can see they're never very far apart!!

2009-02-12T09:54:00.003Z

As I have started to find, patience is a virtue and I'm glad to say my patience in awaiting the shot of this very pretty little bird has paid off. It's those cheapie fairy cakes again folks!!!!

2009-02-11T11:31:00.007Z

Managed to capture our two resident robins on the feeders at opposite sides of the garden this morning, first one I was able to capture on the new poles feeding tray and was relatively easy to get the other one was doing his/her humming bird impression on the station in our magnolia bush. Obviously didn't get the camera setting right to stop his wings in action!!!

This little fellow very rarely poses for the camera , camera settings were all wrong and I knew he wouldn't stay long enough to change them so thank goodness for editing software hey!!!

2009-02-10T17:33:00.003Z

I've added the only decent shot I managed to take today as a large one. Bird visits this morning were much better than this afternoon, LTT's were in abundance although very jittery as you can see our purchase of a lorry load of cheap fairy cakes is going down a storm!!! At one point there were 12 all hanging on that one particular feeder but as soon as they catch sight of the scary body behind the camera they scarper!!!
Solitary little Blue Tit didn't get a look in with the fairy cakes!!!!!

2009-02-09T17:29:00.007Z

These little guys have been here most of the time I have been watching today, Love how the bossy Robin is keeping his eye on the proceedings

Glad to see the return of these fellows too today, the clearer shots are on the Yankee Droll feeder which is about 7 feet away from the house and the not quite so clear one is at the bottom of the garden on the older nyger feeder!! There were four of them in the garden at the same time but the other guy was sitting on a branch obscured from the camera lens!!

These two beauties are always together, sometimes on different feeders but sir is always there to keep his eye on madam!!

2009-02-05T11:30:00.004Z

These are three of our visitors this morning, as you can see the chaffinches are greedily picking up the seed lying on top of the snow!!!

This little robin stayed on the branch all the time the wizzle was filling his tummy with the birds food!!!!

When the blackbird stepped in to get his share however, the robin decided to take things into his own claws and promptly jumped onto the blackies back. The blackie flew off!!!! Wizzle perhaps was just too large a contestant!!!

2009-02-04T11:49:00.005Z

At last these little fellows have decided to make our cafe one of their drop ins!!! I can't tell you how over the moon these guys have made me feel today. Some folk say sad, I think not!!!!

These other two visitors decided to drop by around the same time as the Goldies, blue tit a regular but I haven;'t seen the collared doves for a few days at least they have alleviated my worries about them!!!

2009-02-02T17:12:00.003Z

The view from our patio window today!!!

They are poor shots because I was in a hurry but as you can see the poor robins and chaffinches were feeling the cold!!!

2009-02-01T16:55:00.007Z

Couple of shots of the blue tit having what I suppose will be the last feed of today, the light is fading fast and I'm certainly no expert with this darned camera!!

First sighting of Mr Jim this morning feeding from the seed tray feeder on our new pole!!

I took these pictures just a few moments ago, first ones I've got of Mrs Jim(bully) as you can see Mr Jim(bully) is sitting in the tree just yards away from her, I reckon he needs to go to relate he must have a trust issue with the wife!!!!

2009-01-30T11:33:00.002Z

I took these two pictures earlier just before old Bully finch knocked the nervous little Coalie right off the feeder!!!

Pictures are very samey but I really don't want to go off the boil with the camera has with everything else the more practise you get the better you become (hopefully)

2009-01-26T15:52:00.012Z

More shots of our regulars as you can see the male Blackie is concentrating on watching the enemy in the picture below!!!

Our regular LTT's who always come in small groups, they flit about so quickly this mere novice with the camera can't always be quick enough, one day I may be able to get a shot when all ten or so of them are on the feeders at the same time

These two shots taken this afternoon of our regular little Blue Tit, basically just playing about with the camera trying to get the hang of the manual settings, finding manual better than auto except for my hands aren't quick enough yet to change the setting when the light suddenly drops. Never mind I think the shots are getting better, the blue tits tend to hang out in the magnolia feeding station which is quite a bit farther away than the Acer station!!

2009-01-26T10:31:00.004Z

Well today is a new day and our new friend Jim (from the days of "A Bit Of Bully") has decided to visit once more yet again his wife was hopping around on the ground food but every time I stood up to move the camera position they both flew off!!

I really hope this is a breeding pair and they are going to make our garden their temporary home!!

2009-01-25T11:59:00.005Z

Wow are we made up here, this is my first picture of our new visitor, earlier on during my RSPB count his mate was feeding from the ground feeder, haven't caught sight of her since but again WOW are we pleased!!!

2009-01-23T10:00:00.002Z

We have had 8 blackbird sighting in our garden this morning the most I can recall counting at any one time. Among them was this one, he was feeding well and hopping about quite quickly but when the others were flying off he didn't seem too keen to fly!! However, I went outside to throw out some more ground food just in case he was injured and he promptly flew off. I wondered for a while whether it might be an injury he has got from scrapping with his mates or due to the greyish look on his feathers whether he may be poorly!!!

He's been popping back and forth to eat so I guess I'll just keep an eye on him!!

2009-01-20T11:09:00.007Z

Our First Visitor this morning was our pesky "LITTLE WIZZLE" He jumps onto the seed feeder from the fence and then jumps back to the ground to eat his breakfast in more comfort!! This little guy shows such agility in his antics you can't help but smile!!

The next visitor was a lot more welcomed as you Can see this little blue tit doesn't really show any preference between the nuts and the fat balls, he/she had previously had a nibble at the sunflower hearts in the other tree too!!

Our last visitors before I really had to stop watching and get on with my chores, we really must have the dustiest house in the West Midlands!!!, Was our much loved LTT family!!

2009-01-18T09:50:00.015Z

This Fellow looks like he's enjoying a nap and so he should he's just finished eating all of the suet pellets thrown out this morning

Haven't seen the collared doves for a few days so i thought I'd grab this shot whilst he was there. Picture is rubbish the camera was off the tripod!!

I reckon I'm going to enter these pair into the next Mr & Mrs competition, they are never very far apart!!!

As usual he's there on the fence keeping his bright beady eye on HIS garden, this particular bird is so bossy!!!!!!

Well it is said that the robin can be quite cheeky!! He must be thinking well if the Brock's don't want it I'm not going to waste it!!

2009-01-17T09:48:00.006Z

This little chap was hopping about between the fat balls and the nuts I'm sure he heard the shutter click even through the patio window, he looks like his breakfast has been rudely disturbed don't you think!!!!

These shots are taken whilst the birds were on the feeder on the left hand side of our garden and are perhaps a little bit too far away for the length of the lens.

First time I've caught sight of the Coal Tit on this particular feeder, quite a distance away and through the patio window so the picture lacks clarity

2009-01-16T10:55:00.008Z

One of the many "Wizzle" visitors to our garden this morning.

I reckon we can almost see him saying on the first picture

"My those nuts smell good"

The second picture

" Oh well perhaps just a little taste"

And the third

" Well I was right they just just about delicious"

2009-01-11T13:05:00.011Z

These Little guys are showing us how much they love the suet blocks, they do have a go at the nuts occasionally but seem to prefer the suet!1
We noted twelve all on the feeders at the same time at one point but of course fled off when the scary figure with the camera became apparent!!

Mrs Blackbird again pecking away at some crumbly cheese thrown out especially for her (at least that's what she thinks)!!!!

2009-01-08T10:55:00.011Z

I'm, finding this with all of our visitors at the moment One sits on the fence and the other searches for the food, I'm guessing they're talking to each other all of the time.

This little chap moves so quickly he just shows me how I must try to engage my patience and get the camera focused before he lands on the fat cake. I think I'm trying a little bit too hard and not thinking before I shoot, Never mind I'll get there eventually!!

This little fellow was sitting on the fence just as I was transferring my tripod position so I had the camera in my hand when I quickly took this one.

2009-01-07T11:54:00.012Z

This is what we're experiencing here in the West Midlands this morning, A bit warmer but the snow is pouring down, have a lot of reading and practising to do before I get the snow shots correct but it's a start!!

This little fellow was enjoying his meal worms and suet pellets before he was rudely interrupted by the figure with the camera in the patio window!!

These two guys are just sitting and patiently waiting for Mr Blackbird to have his fill!!

Guess I should have focussed in the middle of the two birds rather than on the nearer one!!

This little lad or ladette (how do I tell the difference?) has finally found a fat ball that has started to thaw!!!

He/She stayed for ages but these are the two best shots I managed to get!!

2009-01-04T14:01:00.004Z

This delightful chap was sitting on the fence about 8 feet away from me and was taken through the patio window, I had to use manual focus on the new lens because the auto focus kept focusing on the reflection of the football that as per usual was on our TV at the other end of the lounge!!! never mind early days but a reasonable shot for me!!!!

These two guys were at the very bottom of our garden first thing this morning, I'm guessing the chappie in the tree is requesting that the chappie on the ground has the decency to leave him a bit!!!!

2009-01-02T11:04:00.004Z

These two shots were were taken from our viewing window upstairs and the feeders are right at the bottom of the garden (about 100 foot away) so I'm quite impressed that I actually caught them, however I reckon a tripod has to be next on the list, the camera is so heavy with the longer lens camera shake is inevitable in some cases.

This one was taken from the same window and just for once our delightful Robin appears to be tolerating the Dunnock who was just about to take off!!!

Couldn't leave him out now could I!!!! These little blighters haven't given the birds a chance this morning, I counted 6 in the garden all at the same time, ignoring their own food in preference to the feeders!!!!

2009-01-01T11:29:00.002Z

A bit happier with this one as the Coalie only ever stays in one place for fleeting seconds!!

Well there we go folks I reckon I'm going to get in big trouble with the OH come the breeding season, he will maybe have to a delayed evening meal on his return home from earning the pennies in the future months!!!!!

2009-01-01T11:27:00.001Z

This is the second attempt, A very shy Dunnock was peeping out of the branches of our very bare Acer!!

2009-01-01T11:23:00.004Z

This is the first sighting we had in our garden for 2009 and he first attempt with my new longer lens. As you will note I have a fair amount of practising to do, the weight of the lend causes quite a bit of camera shake!!! Mrs Blackbird does however appear to be enjoying her wholemeal biscuit thrown out earlier on though!!

2008-11-03T09:29:00.000Z

Sorry about the quality of this picture but I grabbed the camera and took the picture from the kitchen window all in the matter of seconds, he couldn't hang on for long!!!!

This is the only feeder we have that up to now has remained completely Squirrel free, as you can see the tube slides over the food to stop the pesky squirrel getting in. This little darling did a standing jump from the floor, the feeder is some 5 feet up and is not accessible from any branches he grabbed the bottom of the feeder and hung there for a just a few minutes!!. There was a Great Tit in the magnolia bush where the feeder is hanging and he just looked at me as much to say well darn & blast it they've finally done it, now we have to fight for all of the feeders!!!!

Bala Weekend

2008-09-09T10:06:00.009+01:00

Following our much awaited and much appreciated couple of days break at my Aunt's cottage in the hillside overlooking Lake Bala I would like to share with you a couple of shots that I managed to take from the caravan window which was dripping in water and very steamed up. After a little playing about I managed to salvage these. Please excuse my very amateur techniques I still have an awful lot to learn with this camera!!

Just before we left my Aunt and her dear husband took us to visit Lake Vyrnwy where after so much rainfall it was overflowing it really was quite awesome, We then had lunch in the hotel there where they tell me on better summer days the terrace is open and the chaffinch's are tame enough to eat from your hand. Sadly this day it was pouring!!!

Todays Viewing Update

2008-08-14T11:14:00.013+01:00

Whilst still trawling through the masses of info on which longer lens would most suit my needs I have to do the best I can with the camers's standard lens. So these shots were taken today at around 10.45am through the closed patio window so I apologise one for the photographers inability and secondly the subjects wariness. Whilst he appears to be posing for the camera he bolted as soon as he was aware of my prescence. Just after the pictures were taken and I was

busy adding them to my blog he reappeared and at one point he was chomping away from the wood pigeons tray whilst the squirrel and "Mr Scraggy" our resident moulting blackbird were hopping about in the garden along with the blue & great tits jumping from feeder to feeder. I find it amazing how all these wild creatures appear to live in harmony with each other in one small garden in England.

Next Episode of Badger Watch

2008-08-02T08:29:00.012+01:00

Following our return home from collecting Keith from his yearly day out to Watch The England Cricket Team in action at Edgbaston, I duly went out and put the Badgers supper under the magnolia tree which has become there daily suppertime dining table. Tonights menu included the remains of Keith's picnic bag, 2 samosas, 2 pakoras, and 2 onion bhajis, along with their daily fruit and nuts. I set up my camera through the open kitchen window and sat in my watching chair eargerly awaiting their nightly visit. My eyesight isn't great at the best of times and as the light was fading I caught sight of a small movement and immediately pressed the shutter. Well did Keith get his own back from his Sunday nights sighting after a few jars which turned out to be a cat. This is what the camera saw. I have no excuse other than eyesight I'm completely T-Total but at least it made Keith laugh when he saw the shot.

It remained very still and very quiet for at least an hour after Tabby's guest appearance but then BINGO, the two little ones made their entrance but must not have liked the Indian platter, they sniffed around and trundled back into the wood, hopefully back to Mom who didn't make an appearance at all tonight. Dad then came onto the scene, like most young men after a night out he was well into his Indian, he scoffed the lot and some reasonable shots were obtained. I do hope he returned to his wife & kids in a reasonable state, the dish alongside his food dish only contained water I can assure you!!!!

Hope you enjoy the episode

Latest Episode of Badger Watch

2008-07-29T21:49:00.006+01:00

A very big thankyou to Steve & Mic I've at last got some better shots, I'm sure that you guys can make them even better but me I'm over the moon, couldn't have done it without you. Hisn't he just gorgeous.

Badger Watch

2008-07-28T09:11:00.002+01:00

This is an attempt at getting a photo of our delightful badgers. This was acquired using the techniques of my new found friends Steve & Mic. It's still not great and I don't think they'll be employing me in the local photography studio but it's much better than the blurry mess of my first attempt and it was very very dark. I'll get there eventually I'm always a trier!!!!

2008-07-17T09:59:00.004+01:00

This is the patio end of our garden where we sit quietly and await the arrival of our feathered friends. You can just about see the edge of the acer on the far left of the pic, this is the tree where our Tit families frequently visit so we have a reasonable view from our garden furniture.

Another Shot Of Our Garden

2008-07-16T17:15:00.005+01:00

This is the second shot that I took from our bedroom window. The acer above the bird bath is the one used for most of my feeders and seems to be the most popular area for the tit families.

Our Garden

2008-07-16T17:03:00.003+01:00

This is one of the first pictures taken of our garden using my "new baby", as you can see I've got a lot to learn when it comes to using a DSLR!!!!

The Leyllandi hedge at the side of the bird table screens the woodland bank that I've talked about in my forum posts. This is where most of the bird song comes from. Right down the bottom corner almost obliterated from the shot is our daughters old play house, now used as a storage shed. Over the fence beyond our boundary is the rest of the woodland area. The garden area is approx 100 foot and the woodland area must stretch some 500 foot beyond that, although it has now become so overgrown that it is impossible to walk through it. The small magnolia bush next to the bird table is the home of my other feeders.

All Quiet On The Western Front

2008-07-16T16:37:00.002+01:00

Well since my last blog posting, our garden seems to have gone very quiet on the bird front. The weather has been rather changeable with a fair amount of wind and I think this might be a factor in the infrequency of my little feathered friends visits. They are still coming but only very fleetingly. We have had the Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Wood Pigeons and Magpies but all as I say very fleeting visits. Even the darned squirrels seem quiet.
Well let's hope for a better day tomorrow.

My Newfound Hobby

2008-07-08T10:12:00.000+01:00

For as long as I can remember I have had an interest in the natural world and do have an affection for anything living. However, the needs of life, my husband, my daughter and my job somehow got in the way of pursuing this very rewarding hobby. My Dear Father had a very severe stroke 5 years ago which has left him severely disabled, he is completely paralyzed down the left side of his body , and I became primary carer and had to give up my job. The daughter has now completed her degree in Psychology and has become quite self sufficient in her own world. One beautiful sunny day my dad & I were sitting on their patio and we happened to see a beautiful little blue bird (didn't know at the time but it was a Blue Tit). My brother, enviably, can recognise all bird song and identify the species from the song. I got more and more interested and the "obsession" began. I am now totally hooked. We have a large garden approx 100 foot long and about 45 foot wide and is flanked on the left side by a woodland bank, this woodland also continues over the bottom boundary of our garden, so the amount of different bird songs are in abundance so hopefully with time and patience I will be able to attract all of these different species into our garden.