Hobbies and Crafts

Jude, see this link:-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/4246823/Buzzard-snatches-and-kills-rare-bird.html

x

Hi Glenys, spectacular images those links!!! The photographer of the buzzard taking the phalarope, has taken image of his life.

Who'd think starlings could produce such a spectacular sight! I saw a similar one by Bil Oddie a few years on TV, agve me goose bumps.

We have a coating of snow here in Essex, made sure feeder is topped up. Doing a roast this evening, with the excess juices, I'll give the fat balls a trial run tomorrow.

Steve.

Thanks Glenys.....amazing:o)

l'm still not sure about this Yellow wagtail.....b i l is here this evening and he's sure its not the Grey .....thing is it probably won't appear again!!! grrr

Jude, you're welcome.

Steve, isn't it spectacular? Who'd think those avian thugs in my back garden are capable of producing such a lovely sight?!

Gawd, I think I'll come to tea at your place, if you're having a roast! My hubby decided to cook a stew today, but it wasn't ready on time, so we had salmon salad ........ oh well, it was nice anyway.

Oops sorry folks, digressing here. That poor bird that was taken by the buzzard, such a shame. But then I suppose, that poor hungry buzzard. Steve, I think the guy who took the photos was in one sense, quite proud of them but in another, very disappointed at the fate of the bird! :-((
x

For a few weeks after Christmas there wasn't a bird to be seen in my garden but I have noticed that they are back " on mass " now . The fat balls have been going down at an alarming rate the past few days.
And the good old starlings have been flocking in to eat up the dropped bits of the ground .

We went to the park today with our carrier bag of loaf crusts and the ducks where out in force , glad we got it to them before all the snow arrives, I suspect they will be in for a rough few days .

I saw a squirrel attack a group of pigeons that where trying to get the peanuts we had scattered for it.........they didn't half get out of the way quickly...........lol

Amanda : )

Today Ive been putting seeds and small bits of cheese under the shrubs - I know wrens like cheese, but my goodness, some beautiful bull finches arrived too - they were gorgeous.

Please remember the birds in this cold, snowy weather.

Just been out to feed sunflower hearts, mixed seed, sultanas, peanuts, niger seed and dried worms. (Is that enough of a selection?)

I have knocked out the ice from the plastic tray I use for a water bath as the stone birdbath is totally frozen and impossible to thaw safely. They need water, just as much as food!

Happy birdwatching.

Elisabeth

*Doesn't tell Elisabeth that it didn't occur to Glenys about the water dish frosting over*

Last night, hubby and I were discussing nesting boxes, as you hear so much about birds dying of the cold in this weather. I'm going to try Googling DIY building nest boxes in a min., as he says he's got loads of leftover timber in our shed.

Have a good day. :-))
x

Morning all :o))


Brrrrr blinky cold again, hubby has been out and done his favourite job of the day (well one of them), feed the birds,l then went out and put some more suet out, especially under the bushes:o)) His other favourite thing is walking the dog:o))
Will cook some baked spuds later.


jude :o)

Jude
Have Gloucester got snow.

Ann in the Lake District

Have just been out to put some extra food for the birdies...and disturbed all the snow on my patio umbrella. At least six bucketloads of snow fell on my head and down my neck....was laughing so much I think I scared the pigeons! lol BC XX

Ann.....are you THE Ann in Gloucester?? but in The Lake District...lol

Don't know about Goucester, but we definately have and its still snowing, although not much, but more is due. Just been into town quite slippery in parts, especially on the pavements. Whats it like there?

Got more birds seed and l have just put a container of water out:o))

jude :o)

PMSL...BC....what you like!!! lol

jude :o) x

Hiya Jude...I have to say it looks quite magical out there. Am sitting at my kitchen window, snow is falling and everything is covered in snow. Took dog to the park this morning and it was like fairyland! We may as well enjoy it as soon it will be all gritted and melting....BC XX

Hiya BC
Must admit your right there its a lovely sight from our bedroom window too up the hill to the Round house:o)) the back garden is a mess now cause me and the dog ruined it and now the Woodpigeons are out there, even the one with bad leg:o)))


jude:o)

I've been topping up my nut feeders all morning and I ground a load of nuts up (as I do anyway) for the ground feeding/small birds...Had some chips leftover from last nights tea, so they went into the food processer and put those out too...

My 2 Robins have been coming to my window seal as normal for their grated cheese..

Hi Jude, yes it is me. Yes we have lots of snow here, in fact T took our car down the drive intending to bring it back up and thus clear the drive but he couldn't get it round the bend at the top so had to leave it at the bottom, it is very steep. The car is now parked in the pub car park 5 minutes down the road.. Been feeding the birds here, bought some ground nuts yesterday and put them out just now, we have blackbirds robins, bluetits,dunnocks all feeding together.

Ann
Glos xx

hello ann hope you are well such a shame about hurrans closing yes we are feeding the birds and also we think we've inherited a stray cat whos just had lunch

Hello Snow White

Which Hurrans are you talking about, is it the one on Kidderminster road from Halesowen??
l put some baked potato out and thesnow covered it up pretty quick, but blackbirds and a jackdaw found it, still some there for the morning:o))
5 blackbirds out there all scurrying around and bossing each other about, the same with the woodpigeons, so bossy to one another!!
Woodpecker turned up and guess what.......the dog frightened it away....grr
The usual robin and chaffinches,not many though.
l'd love a robin sitting on my window ledge:o)

Gosh Ann you must have more snow than us then, the patio is just wet now but we have about 2" on the lawns. Enjoy your time in the Lake District:o)

jude:o) x

I saw something on tv the other day about having lots of nesting boxes as not only do the birds nest in them, hopefully, but use them as shelter in bad weather.
Had a dozen starlings squabbling over stuff on the bird table a while ago but getting dark now. Lots of stuff out for them this morning and will get more ready for tomorrow, I put it out before I go to bed in the early hours so they have it as soon as it's light and not time for it to freeze up.
Not seen many birds this winter but our blackbirds are back as well as the starlings. I think because we have so many big trees and the field next to the garden they find a lot of stuff anyway and most of the folk along here feed them too.
Lizx

Lizx