A plethora of birds this year.
Discussion
This spring, my bird table seems to be bursting at the seams. Far more varieties and numbers than usual. I'm currently looking out at my feeder tree which is sporting:-
A Greater spotted woodpecker;
2 Redpolls;
3 Goldfinches;
2 Great Tits;
6 Coal Tits;
3 Blue Tits;
1 Robin;
various hedge and house sparrows
about 20 Siskins;
about 30 Chaffinches;
every now and again they all scatter and a Red Squirrel appears to pinch some nuts then they all return when it leaves.
Anyone else noticed a particular abundance this year?
A Greater spotted woodpecker;
2 Redpolls;
3 Goldfinches;
2 Great Tits;
6 Coal Tits;
3 Blue Tits;
1 Robin;
various hedge and house sparrows
about 20 Siskins;
about 30 Chaffinches;
every now and again they all scatter and a Red Squirrel appears to pinch some nuts then they all return when it leaves.
Anyone else noticed a particular abundance this year?
popeyewhite said:
I'm guessing you're fairly rural? Along with the usual I have Robins in the nesting box a couple of metres from my kitchen window, which is nice to watch.
Yes, very rural. We usually get a good variety and number, but this year seems exceptional. We're above 900ft so it's still a bit early for nesting, but they're certainly stocking up on food. It's costing me a fortune.I've notice quite a few goldfinches in recent days - more than normal.
One cheeky little thing has a habit of sitting outside my study window and peering in at me as bold as brass.
There were a few wrens, robins and blue tits around earlier, plus a starling which was singing away from a nearby TV antenna for most of the day yesterday whilst I was flymo-ing the grass.
At least 5 of the local cats have moved away with their owners since last year, so perhaps that's why the birds are feeling bolder?
One cheeky little thing has a habit of sitting outside my study window and peering in at me as bold as brass.
There were a few wrens, robins and blue tits around earlier, plus a starling which was singing away from a nearby TV antenna for most of the day yesterday whilst I was flymo-ing the grass.
At least 5 of the local cats have moved away with their owners since last year, so perhaps that's why the birds are feeling bolder?
vanordinaire said:
Yes, very rural. We usually get a good variety and number, but this year seems exceptional. We're above 900ft so it's still a bit early for nesting, but they're certainly stocking up on food. It's costing me a fortune.
Generally the early/main part of Winter was noticeable for an absence of a lot of birds as there was obviously plenty of food available in the mild weather, in contrast, April has been colder than normal, meaning that the usual burst of creepy crawlies and plant growth has been delayed. The birds need to find food to stay warm and for condition for the nesting season, so it's not surprising you are attracting a lot of activity.Similar haul on the MIL's bird table round the back of our gaff. We all moved in a year ago, so can't say if it's a good or bad year. Our squirrel is grey; a red is rather special. We see a Red Kite quite regularly, and since we're miles from the M40, that is still exciting. I've been watching two Blue Tits industriously building a nest in an old hand water pump. They pop in at the top where the connecting rod from the handle enters and then fly out of the spout. I target doubt they'll end up using it, but it's amusing to watch them.
Seeing the same in my garden, all I have to do is look out the kitchen window when I get home and you can be guaranteed to see 4-5 birds minimum digging away for worms or washing themselves in puddles, I put up a nestbox too but haven't spotted if we have any residents yet. Personally I love having them around the place 
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff