WHAT'S BUZZING OR FLYING NEAR YOU 2018

Walking @Sheal.

 

I presume this Greater Black Backed Gull is trying to eat a Flounder, (don't know much about marine fish)

 

White Breasted Nuthatch.

 

Flounder or Dab

 

@hydrogardener that's the same as I saw at the Garden of the Gods National Park in Colorado so it must have a wide distribution.

We only have the one Nuthatch here in the UK and I have only had one visit to my garden in 7 years!!

 

We have several on our property, some of them are red breasted nuthatches. I am trying to lure one of them into range so I can shoot it, photographically of course.

The Tufted Titmouse is one of my favorite birds to photograph, but when the tuft is laying down they look sort of sad and dejected with those big black sad eyes.

 

Warning over unclean bird feeders

Contagious infections can spread from bird feeders
Experts have warned that bird feeders and baths should be regularly cleaned to prevent a disease which is being blamed for a drop in greenfinches.

The contagious parasite trichomoniasis is said to be flourishing in wet conditions, the British Trust for Ornithology says.

The parasite causes throat swelling in birds, preventing them from eating.

Greenfinches are at particular risk and it is feared half a million may have died in one year alone.

In a paper due out later this month, the BTO will warn that cases of trichomoniasis have spiralled.

The BTO is calling on bird lovers to regularly clean tables and empty feeders, bird baths and duck houses to prevent the disease spreading further.

Its research comes days after the researchers at the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) also said garden bird feeders could be putting birds at risk.

A 13-year study but the college found that the salmonella infection can build up on feeders and then spread among birds.

The study revealed that greenfinches and house sparrows appeared to be particularly vulnerable to the disease.

Just wanted to add this information to the thread because until very recently we have seen evidence of the problem here in our village, which we believe to be results of someone over feeding the birds and hedgehogs throughout the year, and not cleaning the feeders.
We are correcting this now, but are still finding dirty feeders all over the place as well as dirty nesting boxes.

It is always distressing to find dead birds, but especially so when it can be avoided.

 

A good reminder @Tetters. This problem isn't as well known as it ought to be.

The wooden feeding base of my four year old bird table was gradually decaying and was a pig to clean particularly as I put wire around the middle to keep the pigeons out.

I have just bought an RSPB table because it has a pull out easy to clean plastic tray.

 

Righto... Thanks Strongy, something important for our shopping list

 

As I may have mentioned some time back the resident Buzzards we had in our little wood disappeared this spring after 17 odd years (they were here when we moved in). No idea what happened to them but no sign all summer. However, either they or another Buzzard/s has taken up residency. I am not sure if there is a pair or just 1 atm. Anybody have knowledge as to whether it is likely it is the same Buzzard/s or just a new possible offspring of the original lot? Also it may be a coincidence but since the departure of the Buzzards in the spring I have seen and heard (gawd what a ghastly call they have) quite a few Woodpeckers (at least 5) frequenting the wood. There have been the odd 1 over the years but now ! see/hear them pretty well daily. I am hoping the lack of Woodpeckers in the past was not due to the resident Buzzards and hoping they can live in peace together. I am also hoping if the Buzzard/s are new ones they don't bother the birds in the garden. The old lot never came over the garden and I never saw them bothering the birds. I have enough trouble protecting the huge number or birds that frequent my garden from my 2 fluffy cream things (cats) I don't need to be worrying about big birds trying to munch the wee ones as well

 

We've got 3 woody's + other birds and 4 Buzzards, i've not see the buzzard take anything other an a rat and a squirel, or something that is not well or injurd on the ground then buzzard may take

 

Oh that's good news...mainly. Last year for the 1st time we had red squirrels here (there is a small scurry, I had to look up what a group of squirrels is called about 2 miles from here). If Buzzards have a liking for squirrels then I doubt the lovely wee red ones will take up residency here unfortunately

 

We have lots of grey's and i've only seen one being taken by the buzzard, if the red's are well and fast to get out of the way then they should be ok most of the grey's here have to get for tree to tree using the ground in between them so good hunting for the buzzard but i wouldn't think a buzzard would take one from a tree