The Fieldfare | a bird new to my Garden

It is always exciting to spot a bird that you have not seen before. Today I saw a Fieldfare, a species of bird new to my Garden. And not just one, but upwards of 25 in total, they have been around for most of the day. I did not identify them as being Fieldfares when first seen this morning, I merely thought they were Starlings that appeared different because of the way the sun was shining brightly upon them, I only gave them a cursory glance. This afternoon I took notice of them when I could see that these birds still hanging around in the trees were definitely not starlings. I quickly fetched the binoculars and guessed that they were Fieldfares, this was confirmed by looking in the bird book.

Unfortunately they did not actually come into our garden but stayed in and around the neighbouring trees. We spied a few of them looking for berries in Rons Holly bush but there is little left for the Fieldfare, the other birds have eaten them all.

The Fieldfare is a very attractive bird with it's rich chestnut back and wings, grey head and rump, heavily spotted yellow orange breast and black tail and wings. They also have black or dark streaks on the head, with the bins these birds appeared to have a dark streak that went through the eye. when in flight the Fieldfare is also noticeable by the very light underside of the wings and lower part of the breast.

The pictures I am afraid are not of very good quality because I was too far away and at the limit of my zoom.

I say however that I was very pleased indeed to have seen these winter visitors, The Fieldfare, a new bird to my garden.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

To all my friends, followers, and readers of this little blog, I would like to wish

A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

May 2010 be good to you.

My Garden Birds | December 2009

Jack Frost had painted the landscape, transforming the appearance of all that was exposed to the touch of his ice laden brush. Overnight, water had turned to ice, trees and shrubs sparkled white, while frozen spiders webs shimmered now in the first rays of sunlight.

After the rich pickings of Autumn the birds now faced the hard cold days of winter. Those nuts and berries plus the many and varied species of invertebrates once easily accessed close to the surface of the ground,  would now be in short supply.

The birds that absented themselves from the gardens in late summer when their young had fledged would now return. These would be joined by winter migrants escaping the much harsher weather of their own countries. As we observe those species in the garden that we regard as typically English and think of as year round residents, we may actually be looking at some of these winter visitors. Many Robins, Starlings and Thrushes are migrants in search of food.

Although I have not given much time to sitting and watching the birds lately, I have noticed that there is currently a great deal of bird activity in the garden. The regular Woodpigeons Collared Doves, Starlings and House Sparrows are constant visitors throughout the day and I am sure their numbers have increased. In addition I am also noticing Robins, Wren, Dunnock, Blue Tits, Great Tits and for the first time in thirty years of living here, Coal Tits.

Over the past two weeks we have caught glimpses of these delightful little Coal Tits almost every day. As with  other members of the tit family they seem to dart out of nowhere onto the feeder, select their favourite seed then carry it quickly away into a nearby tree, returning soon after to repeat this routine.

I must try to find some time to sit and watch the activity of these wonderful visitors to my small piece of the world and hopefully capture some more photographs of My garden birds.

Merry Christmas from My Garden Birds

Merry Christmas everyone. 

Merry Christmas from me too.

and us.

Yes A MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all.

Wordless Wednesday

My garden Birds | Latest Visitors

Three days ago, Friday to be precise, we had a pair of Coal Tits visit the garden. This is the first occasion that we have observed this species here at home. They seemed to be quite relaxed feeding on seeds in the vertical hanging feeder, making frequent visits and flying to and fro between the neighbouring trees. I was unable to take any pictures of them, they refusing to stay still once I had my camera.

The Robin or Robins along with a Wren or indeed Wrens, are now frequent visitors although it is usually fleeting glimpses of these that I manage to catch while looking out of the kitchen window.

This piece continues from yesterdays post where we saw the Blackbird tucking into some meal worms in the garden. During that time he was not alone. Flitting about and watching with interest were a Robin who has become a frequent visitor again and also a Little Wren. A group of House Sparrows were constantly flying in and out but the relative peace was about to be shattered.

The Blackbird continued:
After a short while, the Blackbird who had been chomping away at the Mealworms became aware that he would soon be far from alone. He decided to make his escape.

The young starlings who have been growing up fast were soon to descend, homing in on the food. I do not know how they become aware that the food is there. Have they got a superb sense of smell or do they watch for the activity of the other birds, in this case seeing the Blackbird then deciding to investigate.

Having said that though, the Blackbird always knows when the Mealworms are put out, appearing shortly after on every occasion.

These are the young Starlings that have grown up here this year, now appearing very speckled with their first winter plumage.

They do not yet have the beautiful blue/green sheen of the adult birds but are still a striking bird when you take the time to observe them. They are of course the bully boys of the garden, intimidating other species of birds while fighting and squabbling constantly between themselves.

The Meal worms are all gone and the starlings are now working their way through a selection of suet pellets.

Fed up of waiting on the sidelines and no doubt thinking that if he did not make a move soon all the food would be gone, onto the scene appears a male House Sparrow.

As some of the Starlings begin to loose interest in feeding, one flies away and the others start to play. One practices circus tricks by balancing along this thin stick, calling out to get the attention of his friends.

The brave little Sparrow spies his chance, lining up one of the few remaining suet pellets, then dives in and makes a grab for it.

The Starlings show their displeasure and make a move towards the interloper but the cheeky little fellow manages to make good his escape.

Neither the Robin nor the Little wren got a look in and soon departed.