What's Buzzin' or Flying Near You Today..? MK 3..

Mute swans are very aggressive birds when they want to defend their territory or nesting site. They will even charge when they perceive any sort of threat. When they swim they can hold their wings up over their backs in this sort of puffed up position and this advertises their strength. They will hold their neck also in a strong s-curve which is another aggressive posture. This behaviour is called busking. Males exhibit it mostly with females busking to a lesser extent.

 

we had loads of house sparrows in the garden this morning, far more than ever before, i wonder are the smaller groups banding together to make larger flocks? it'd make sense for warmth at night when roosting together. they all had a good feed anyway as we'd only just topped up the bird table and scattered loads of budgie seed around the garden so it doesn't matter if anyone's bullied away from the feeder. poor little fella's its amazing they survive this kind of cold.

 

There are also reports that Collared Doves are gradually receding from some areas.

Some of todays' visitors.


A couple of Lesser Redpolls have visited again, just the male today.


A poor shot but this Chiffchaff has visited three times in the last few days but never for more than a minute or so, lousy angled pic through D G window.

 

great pics but how'd you know he's not a Willow Warbler? we have one that pops in for a visit every know & then, cant tell if he's a Chiff Chaff or a Willow Warbler though...they look identical to me

 

Honeybunny, it had dark (almost black) legs and the wings were shorter than a Willow Warbler barely reaching the rump, the Willow's wings extend to the tail and they usually have a more of a greenish yellow colouring than a Chiffchaff but difficult to detect while on the move.

 

very interesting, i'll have to try & get a better look at him next time he pops in, he's so flighty though its hard to get a good look, its certainly not for the lack of trying he's such a beautiful looking little bird


we had a newbie to the garden last summer, a Goldcrest! transfixed watching the little chap so we were, first time we've ever had one in the garden they're the smallest bird in Europe apparently...i can well believe it though, he was teeny tiny

 

I remember that Shiney, I think DaveW also had one banging on his window once.
We have only had two brief visits from Goldcrests this year.

Today has been busy in the garden including a Jay, here are a few.
The Siskins love the Sunflower hearts as well as the Nyjer seed.




Frequent visitors in some gardens but not here, a lone Longtailed Tit came in on a very infrequent visit.

 

A cold windy walk around Arne RSPB.
As usual, lots of Sika around. The does and fawns went under the fence, the Stags had to jump.






Redshank.


Red Breasted Merganser.

 

Wonderful Strongy, especially the Redshank.
Thank you,
Jenny

 

Great shots Strongy - the 2nd pic looks as if he is posing for you!