Depending on lighting conditions as they take off the reflected scene can look as though they are flying towards the safety of the greenery which is actually behind them.
Thinking of safe places for animal life I have recently noticed the importance of natures corridors. For us to freely move around a corridor is an open space, a footpath, bridal way or similar cleared lane through the countryside. For wildlife the opposite is needed. They need the shelter and safety of trees, bushes and undergrowth. Somewhere to hide quickly from danger. My new next door neighbours cut down many of the overgrown bushes which grew their side of our dividing fence. My bird feeders are near that fence. Since the disappearance of a nearby safe place to retreat when danger threatens I have noticed a large reduction in the variety of bird life visiting my garden. All the locals still visit - Blackbirds, House Sparrows and Starlings make up well over 95%. There is the occasional Robin, Blue Tit, Coal Tit or Chaffinch but even the Great Tits seem to have deserted my garden. I will have to try moving the bird table to different places to see where the other birds feel safer when visiting.
We had so many bird strikes that we had screens made to put up over the outside of glass; no bird strikes after that. Plus it keeps the blue-grey tanagers from trying to peck their reflections to death and incidentally pooping all over the veranda. Hope you find a better spot or your feeders now.
ReplyDeleteWilma: Once the weather improves and I (or my gardener) have finished tidying up I'll start moving things around.
DeleteReminds I need to get some fat balls!
ReplyDeleteSimon: There's no answer to that ;)
DeleteThat explains why the birds fly into windows, I hadn't realised that before now, thanks.
ReplyDeleteDave: I just happened to have a camera pointing in the right direction.
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