The Starlings continue to squabble over whose turn it is to eat the fat balls. Mostly it is the youngsters who fight off the adults!
Out for our morning constitutional a bit before 7 a.m. this morning I observed a flock of eight Magpies flying about making their normal grating calls.
I wonder how many UK residents remember the childrens programme Magpie and the song which started every show:
One for sorrow, two for joy;
Three for a girl, four for a boy;
Five for silver, six for gold;
Seven for a secret, never to be told;
Eight for a wish, nine for a kiss;
Ten for a bird that's best to miss.
I forgot to make my wish.
On the roof of a bungalow there was an adult Rook feeding two juveniles and what a racket they make when they are hungry. Virtually every type of bird is now accompanied by a few youngsters all calling for food. When we arrived back there were the usual pair of Jackdaws finding what few scraps were left over from yesterday.
On a more melodious note here is a Blackbird doing what Blackbirds do best. He was sat on my aerials singing his little heart out a couple of days ago. It was quite windy but fortunately it only affected the sound for one short section.
Oh I did enjoy the Blackbird John, there really is nothing else quite like it for instant relaxation than the sound of a Blackbird singing its heart out in a garden. It would be interesting to monitor one's blood pressure while listening to it! Thank you for bringing us that, a real treat.
ReplyDeletePleased you liked it Jan. I have been trying for a while to get a clear sound recording and was really pleased to be able to video it as well. I find it very relaxing, as is the song of the Robin. They put so much effort into singing. When they are close, all other sounds seem to fade into the background - even the man made ones. It would be great to build up a video library of birds and their songs.
ReplyDeleteA quick visit for now.
ReplyDeleteThere is an AWARD on my blog for you.
Just pop in and pick it up.
Ta.
I love your posts John. I have nominated your blog on my own for an award when you have a moment come and check it out.
ReplyDeleteCrista
I liked the blackbird song and video. Definitely a nice one to have around the garden!
ReplyDeleteI seem to have more young Starlings visiting at the moment than adults, and they can certainly fight.
ReplyDeleteI've a Blackbird sings from a roof just down the road from me. Lovely to hear in the mornings and evenings.
What a lovely melody ~ so sweet and clear! I also heard a dove in the latter part of the video. The aerial offered an unobstructed view of the blackbird!
ReplyDeleteFor the first time I was able to photo and video a parent bird feeding a young one! The robins were enjoying the cherries, which aren't ripe yet!
Hi Keith. Thank you very much for the award. I am most embarrassed. To think a few months ago I nearly didn't start this blog as I thought I would never find enough material to keep it going.
ReplyDeleteThank you also Crista for the nomination. I am really overwhelmed and it take a while to think out the way to follow it up as things are a bit hectic here at the moment.
I am pleased you liked the Blackbird song Mick. They really are pleasant and relaxing to hear. Sometimes there are tow or three in the neighbourhood singing at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYes Keith, the Starlings certainly know how to bring up a brood and there are times here when the youngsters outnumber the adults and get really aggressive.
ReplyDeleteHi Glo. There are always collared doves and wood pigeons around. It is nice when they give it a rest and allow me to listen to the other birds with proper songs.
ReplyDeleteWell done on capturing the young one being fed. Yuk. I don't think I would bother with unripe cherries but I have real that birds don't have a strong sense of taste so may be they don't notice. That is amin problem with attracting birds to the garden - we then have to protect anything we grow for ourselves.
Beautiful! And thanks for putting that rhyme up, I'm not sure if I have ever heard more than the first two lines and have often wondered what comes next.
ReplyDeleteThank you Omi. Although Magpie was one of my favourite childrens programmes and I must have heard the rhyme many times I could never remember all of it.
ReplyDelete