Tried Niger Seeds last year and the birds ignored them, and they don't seem to like sunflower seeds in shells either, but they go mad for the sunflower hearts, and they've now started to go for fatballs and coconut shells filled with fat and seeds. In the garden I get a flock of Goldfinches, often numbering over twenty at a time, a small family of sparrows, some starlings, a couple of robins, blackbirds, chaffinches, Greenfinches, wagtails, occasionally some long-tailed tits, blue tits, great tits, redwings and fieldfares later in the winter, and I had a flock of waxwings last winter in the trees at the bottom of the garden. Had a sparrowhawk once some years back.
No baby robins tho'.
edit] I'd love to get a Jay and some bullfinches
The most colourful visitors I get to my garden are Goldfinches
[url= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/244/520129582_e3104715ce.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/520129582/ ]Goldfinch feeding[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/simondbarnes/ ]simondbarnes[/url], on Flickr
Would quite like to see a yellowhammer in my garden.
I'm aware it's not a bird, but on the weekend an otter took 5 pretty sizeable (50-60cm) Koi Carp from the pond and scattered them through the fields with various parts missing. The sheep didn't quite know what to make of it. I've always been hoping to see the Heron which regularly visits go for one, but he never has, the coward.
I would love to see a Hoopoe, they are meant to visit Britain but I've never seen one.
I saw a Hoopoe whilst I was staying at a friends holiday home in Normandy in France. My friend is now very jealous as he has never had the pleasure.
Quite the most distinctive bird I have ever seen. Never seen one in the UK though.
Raven, they are bad ass!
Only lived in my house 1 year in ludlow and had
Blackcaps (regular)
Goldcrest (regular ish)
Redwing
Fieldfare
Willow Tit
Buzzard
Seen only 10 yards from house (on river Teme)
Gooseander
Kingfisher (nested opposite our house)
Cormorant
Dippers
Yellow Wagtail
Hobby
Hopefully lookin forward to seeing a Hawfinch soon
I would like to see a Siskin/yellowhammer and Brambling in garden
Derek, since you live in Manchester, have you visited the [url= http://www.vaughnscountrycafe.co.uk/ ]cafe[/url] at Tockholes?
[i]"The cafe hosts a unique bird watching facility through one way glass and regular visitors include greater spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches chaffinches and many more."[/i]
The food is nothing special, but the birds are absolutely fascinating. We watched three [url= http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greatspottedwoodpecker/index.aspx ]woodpeckers[/url] back in the summer
Nice riding as well, through Roddlesworth Woods, or up to [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackburn-with-darwen/5168903267/in/set-72157625367821352/ ]Darwen Tower[/url] (but maybe wait until the tower is fixed!)
Esme - you've just sent a shiver down my spine! A friend of mine has organised a route to ride on Saturday. Starting in Horich, taking in Turton Moor, Withnell moor etc.. He suggested a cafe stop at around the half way point. And guess what - it's Vaughn's Country Cafe that you have just described in your post!
So no I haven't but on Saturday I will 😮
I love coincidences.
Me too! 😉
+1 peajay. Ravens are starting to reappear around North Wilts, I've seen them on the Ridgeway above Avebury and around the Wilts & Berks Canal at Reybridge near Lacock, so I'm hoping to see them coming close to Chippenham. I've seen a Red Kite near Calne, and another heading towards Marshfield from Bristol, so maybe I'll get to see them squabbling over bacon scraps in the garden. [i]That[/i] would be really something.
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Stephens Island Wren.
