General Chat

Perhaps the bull finches have left because we have less fruit trees around here now, our neighbours have chopped theirs down and we only have a small apple and pear tree. Heather

Karen - hopefully l have copied and pasted the reply from the RSPB - not much about the exact problem l asked about, but useful anyway:-Hello Jude, Birds are sometimes wary of new objects but there may be a slightly different reason for the general lack of activity. This is a fairly typical report for milder winters and it is unusual in that reports have continued this long. Birds form feeding flocks in the early part of the winter to maximise foraging and as protection against predators. Foraging is done in a head-down attitude and can be a risky strategy (this is where the sparrowhawk benefits, especially in winter) given the amount of time needed to do this when food is short. However, natural food is still available because many areas have not seen a serious frost this year. Frosts nip the fruit off the trees and help to bury seed through expansion and contraction of the soil during freezing. This has not been the case this winter and many birds have seen an advantage in breaking up feeding flocks and feeding in a more dispersed manner. Birds seldom rely on a single source of food when settling for the winter although they will often heavily exploit a regular source when available. this means that some urban areas may see no birds at all whereas rural areas have birds around gardens but not concentrated at feeders. Patterns can change quickly if the weather deteriorates although we are now close to getting into spring growth, which started in February in 2004. We are already receiving reports of early broods, which is not unique for resident birds but are certainly the first for 2005. Many people look at various reasons for the lack of birds and predators, building work and a number of other reasons are suggested. However, the common thread is the weather and the next few weeks is the critical period. Traditionally, UK weather is at its worst in the New Year and it is worth keeping food going although reducing the amount in the feeders will avoid wastage. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - jude sarf wales:o)))

My friend killed her parrot giving it salt peanuts.Washed or not I don't think I would risk it.-Rose

Hi Jude Many thanks for posting your reply from RSPB :-) I have moved my old bird table away from the new one and I have put mixed fruit and peanuts on the old one which has brought back the sparrows and robins, although the starlings are being piggies are using both the new and the old table :-) The blue tits are enjoying their fat balls more now I've taken them out of the bags they come in. I even had a couple of mapgies fly over the tables this morning but they didnt stop for their breakfast :-) Karen

For birdlovers in east anglia, this is the site to visit You can find out loads about what birds prefer which food, at. vinehousefarmfoods(.)co.uk)/index.html do mail order and allsorts..... Bob

Hi all - just thought you might be interested in this site: www(.)birdforum(.)co(.)uk or is it (.)com!!! derr - anyway its a site the rspca told me about, you can any questions about birds,binoculars,feeding,caera's,good places where you live to see the birds etc etc. You have to join, but no charge and its very interesting - mind you l do find it abit difficult to find my messages and replies - but thats not surprising really:o((( Jude sarf wales :o)

I meant to ask Karon if the old bird table is open ,[no roof] because a lot of small birds take off almost vertically and feel uneasy with something over the top of them,i have just noticed with my new table that my birds will happily feed on the feeders on and around the table but will not go under the roof.I am now thinking of taking the roof off.Fred.ptfg.&a&g&s.

As this thread has been resurrected thought you might like to know the blue tits have already been inspecting the nesting boxes! Linda x

Hi Linda - great!! ours are'nt using my nest, but then its only just been put up:o((( Fred - my bird table has roof on and so far no problems, even the woodpigeon,magpies and rooks land on the table,also the roof. Yesterday l was watching a flock of starlings getting ready to take off from a tree about 50-70 yrds away (making quite racket), when l noticed some other birds on a nearer tree, so rushed indoors got the nockies and saw what l think were Gold finches, about 12 of them.Black head with a white band round the neck,white to creamy chest and bright yellow on wings,its was about 4.30pm so l will be looking again in about half an hour:o)) Jude saf wales

Better get hubby to put up our 'new' bluetit box. My little boy made it over half term. They had a special nesting box making event at our local Country Park. My little boy really enjoyed it. Dawn.....

Dawn - has your hubby put the bird box up yet?? We have a small flock of Chaffinch in the garden every day and in the tree's the other evening l saw what l think were a small flock of Goldfinch,but they've not been back. This morning or during the night someone has thrown out a small bird table,looks in perfect condition and just right for small birds -SHALL I GO AND GET IT - thing is its in full view of everyone.Hubby says he'll get it tonight if its still there!!!! lol - it might be my next door neighbours!! It looks tooooo good to be thrown out. Will let you know later if l get it:o) jude sarf wales

Morning Jude!! No, my hubby hasn't put the nesting box up yet!! I would ask the neighbours if it is their bird table and then say would they mind if you have it? I'm sure they will be happy for you to give it a new home if they don't want it..... I wouldn't wait until tonight...... Dawn...

Hi Fred Just seen your question about my old bird table, the old one has no roof, but the new one does. The birds have finally got the hang of the new one including the sparrows :-) I still put loads of mixed fruit on the old one which the starlings charge at and scoff within seconds of me putting it out, but the Sparrows and blue tits love my new one, the sparrows have even got the hang of my hanging cage with fat balls in it - the other day I had 3 sparrows plus a blue tit and one starling all on the hanging cage at once, the poor little blue tit at the bottom was hanging on for dear life as it was swinging about so much :-) Karen

Mmmmm the neighbour has just come home, l wonder if she'll mind, thing is she's very shy - we have been here 2yrs and never spoken, apart from a hello once in a restaurant. Darkness might be best ,then pop a note in her door, cause she'll see it in our garden and l'll fel a right plonker:o))) lol

Karon,and jude,you are both right ,i noticed this morning that the birds are using the table now which is aa relief because liz put it together and i would have been batting on a sticky wicket pulling the roof off,i may have had to go down to wales to escape the flying plates or whatever she could lay her hands on.lol. We don't have any really exotic birds around here,but i dont think the lady next door is going to be impressed when she finds out that the Bullfinches have stripped the ornamental shrubs of their buds he he,i shouldnt laugh but if she put a little food out for them,maybe they would leave the shrubs for an easier meal,but i'm not much bothered as they have left all mine alone [smug smile of satisfaction] i'm going to put an hour in the greenhouse now and see to the seedlings,so i will hopefully see you all later,have a nice evening.Fred.Ptfg.&a&g&s.