What's Buzzing or Flying near You Today..?? Mark 2..!!

The first fledging blackbirds have been around for a while, one of which has just taken up residency in the bay tree outside our kitchen window:

 

Lovely shot Scrungee.

 

I keep trying to get a pic of one of their parents feeding them, but keep missing the shot. I had that fledging in my hands as I removed it from my greenhouse a couple of weeks ago. Their mother will come within a couple of feet, but the male is more wary. This is the blackbird family who build their nests on top of our bird table roof.

 

The blackbirds and great tits have been helping themselves to some of my flower baskets for nesting material. Missed getting a photo of Mrs Blackbird but here's a great tit with a beakful of coco liner!

 

Excellent shot Scrungee, I can almost hear it chirruping!
Had to rescue a pair or Wren fledglings from one of the dogs at work last week, moved them into the walled garden a few yards away where the dog couldn't get at them, I hope they survived.

 

So far we have only had one young Dunnock and one young Blackbird.
We have about 10 resident Sparrows but no youngsters yet, the Robin has disappeared but have a regular pair of Goldfinches and two pairs of Siskins. Where are all the young ones? Could be predation.

 

Are there still feudal laws that allow that sort of thing?

 

Dinner for three in the wind and the rain.
This evening, Goldfinches and female Siskin (male came later)

 

Nice variety in one shot Strongy!

 

Here's the male, they, (Siskins and Goldfinches ) empty this feeder in a couple of days.
For every seed they eat 20 drop to the ground!!

 

I once grew some nyjer seeds ....just for the sake of it really....made a good filler....not very impressive plants though....

 

Know what you mean Strongy, goldfinches are just as wasteful aren't they. Thank goodness for "hooverer uppers" like doves, chaffinches etc. I have put a large
perspex dish under ours to reduce some of the waste.Worth it though - such lovely little things,

 

The Siskins hoover up the dropped ones too. Now they have found the feeders there is no stopping them, the way it's going I'll have to bulk buy the Nyjer seed.

 

I do sometimes wonder where all this Niger seed that we now buy is farmed. I wouldn't want it anywhere near my backyard!! Sales have rocketed in the last couple of years I believe.