The visiting birds seem particularly hungry these days. By the end of the day there is virtually nothing left over in the seed tray. The pair of Goldfinches continue to visit, sometimes singly but usually together.
A particularly welcome sight which took me completely by surprise was a visit by a pair of Siskins. The first I have ever seen anywhere, never mind in my garden. Suddenly there was a brilliant flash of colour as they came in to land. First they landed on the shed cables. One stayed there a little longer whilst the other sampled the peanuts.
After a short while they both moved over to the Nyger seed feeder where they spent several minutes tucking in.
That really brightened up what was ending up as a damp and dismal day. The light was so poor by this time, about 5.30 p.m., that I had to up the ISO speed quite a bit.
Sometimes you get the more unusual view of a bird like this one of a Starling which was determined to reach the bowl of seed without going right inside.
FLUTTERING
The Jackdaws are now regular visitors but like the Rooks are easily scared away, like this one just taking off from the lawn.
The Rooks don't stray far and soon swoop back to try their luck again.
This Crow was making off with what looks like a tasty morsel from somebody elses garden.
Once again I was removing insects from the kitchen. This Bumblebee (I think an Early Bumblebee) is one of the largest I see around.
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| From MIDMARSH JOTTINGS |
MY PICTURE of the MONTH
This is a purely subjective choice. I took a photo the other day just to see what it would turn out like. The Sun was shining on the water running down the pond waterfall and the colours of the old lichen at the bottom of the water were showing through. I really was pleased with the result which looks to me like a piece of amber which has started to melt.
I love all the little birds at the feeders. I have deliberately limited my plantings of low-growing seed plants which would encourage the small ones into my garden. It doesn't seem fair when I have a very active cat! The unexpected photos - like the starling - are such fun!
ReplyDeleteLovely set of shots John. Cheeky one of the Starling. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood news with the Siskins. I was really excited when I had a couple visit. They only stayed a few days, but a welcome sight indeed.
I looked at your POM, and immediatley thought of melting honey. Unusual shot.
Mick: The little birds are always animated, constantly looking around for signs of danger. They make watching a more interesting experience. The large birds don't have the same worries and just grab as much food as they can.
ReplyDeleteCats can be a problem here but Bobby does his best to keep them at bay.
Keith: Thanks. It is exciting when a 'new' bird arrives. I have never had so much visiting colour in the garden as there has been this Spring.
As for the POM - that came under my two rules of photography.
1. If it stays still - photograph it.
2. If it moves - photograph it.
Great to see you've got Siskins John, not seen any here for a few days now.
ReplyDeleteA lovely post John. Interestingly, apart from the Robin making short work of the mealworms, my garden visitors are much fewer and therefore the food goes down much more slowly at the moment.
ReplyDeleteLovely to have Siskins visiting- and I know they always head for the Nyger seed!
Really enjoyed your pictures and your POM is fantastic! Just goes to show that looking at the smaller details usually rewards.
Paul: For a fleeting moment I though they may have been the Yellowhammers I have seen around the village but I was just as thrilled to get Siskins.
ReplyDeleteTricia: Thank you. The bird visits have died down again today now the Sun has reappeared and there are a lot more insects about. Mind you, that hasn't cut down the greed of the Starlings. They deserve to have their bottoms photographed. :>)
Lovely photos again John, I'm so jealous of your Siskins, I had just two or three visit for a few days last Winter before I had my DSLR and have seen none this year. I loved the bottom shot of the Starling, such ingenious birds!
ReplyDeleteSimilar to Keith, my first thought on your POM was a honeycomb!
Thanks Jan: I know how you feel about the Siskins. I felt the same when I saw others with them in their gardens. I was in the right place at the right time as I was waiting for the microwave oven to ping. In fact it did just as I started shooting so by the time I had finished I had to reheat the meal. I must have taken a couple of dozen pictures to make sure of getting a couple of decent ones just in case they never came back again.
ReplyDeleteHoneycomb is a good description. I also thought of treacle.
Loved your photos of the birds (especially the unusual view!) and the amber water was gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI'm telling everyone I blog with about the new kestrel webcam that I've just set up for Dorset Wildlife Trust at www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk/kestrelcam.html just in case you or any of your readers are interested in having a look. I'm very excited as I've never seen a kestrel nesting before. Eggs are expected any day now (last year it was the 4th May).
Thanks. Jane
Thanks for visiting Jane. I found the kestrel webcam a short while before you left this. It is certainly well worth visiting and I have it in my bookmarks.
ReplyDelete