Wednesday, 7 October 2009

Goldies Galore -- Honey A.W.O.L.

I think the numbers of Goldfinches is still increasing here. Yesterday I gave up counting at thirty as they spend so much time squabbling and dashing about. The feeders were fully occupied with some on the lawn and more gathering the spillage under the feeders plus others queueing on the wires above.

Goldfinches

Goldfinches

Goldfinches

This one was a definite case of:
"Hey! You! Get back in the queue and wait your turn!"
Goldfinches

Accompanying  the flapping and fluttering was plenty of cursing. Not just Goldfinches anxious for their breakfast but Greenfinches bemused at what all the fuss was about..




I haven't seen Honey the Hedgehog for three nights now. Not one visit. I was not surprised last night as there was heavy rain until 4 a.m. but the previous two nights were dry though cool. Maybe she is not straying very far from wherever her nest is.
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18 comments:

  1. ShySongbird7 October 2009 at 12:49

    As I think I said once before, always be careful what you wish for John! ;)

    I love the photos and the video, such frenzied activity! They really are such pretty birds and brighten many a dull day in my garden.

    I hope all is well with Honey, I did wonder if she could have gone into hibernation. I looked it up and large hedgehogs have been known to hibernate as early as September but November is more usual.

    We too had very heavy rain last night.

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  2. Midmarsh John7 October 2009 at 15:12

    Thank you Jan. With all the frenzied activity it give ample opportunities for action shots. Pity the lighting was so poor for those so I had to tweak the ISO up to 2000 so they are a bit grainy.

    The large trays under the feeders which catch most of the spillage are over an inch deep and they were overflowing with water this morning.

    I wondered if Honey had decided to have a short rest as she didn't eat much on her last brief visit.

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  3. holdingmoments7 October 2009 at 15:48

    I don't think I've ever seen so many Goldies in one place before John. Incredible!
    I had 15 turn up yesterday, and thought that was a lot lol
    Great pictures of the action too.

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  4. Linda Yarrow7 October 2009 at 17:47

    The most Goldfinches I had recently is seven. It must be costing you a fortune:0

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  5. Matron7 October 2009 at 18:52

    I'm pretty sure you have now gone up to four Michelin stars at the Birdy Bistro now John! **** That's amazing!

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  6. Wilma7 October 2009 at 19:02

    You have done it again, John! Great action shots. Who needs video with action like that? Just kidding. ;-) I like the way the video shows them queueing up on the wire. Incredible.

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  7. Midmarsh John7 October 2009 at 20:51

    Thanks Keith. I would have been more than happy if they had stopped at fifteen though there wouldn't have been so much action. Sounds as though they have had a good breeding season all round.

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  8. Midmarsh John7 October 2009 at 20:54

    Hi Lynmiranda. I recently bought a 10Kg bag of their seed thinking that would last the year out but I will be lucky if it lasts until the end of the month at this rate.

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  9. Midmarsh John7 October 2009 at 20:56

    Thank you Matron. I wonder where they all come from. It seems like the whole village's Goldie population descends at once. Great to watch though.

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  10. Midmarsh John7 October 2009 at 21:02

    Hi Wilma. You are right. I nearly didn't use the video. With so much squabbling I can't help but get some action shots as there are always a few on the move at break-neck speed. Many of the small birds like to queue on the wire where they can spot an opening at the feeders.

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  11. Joe7 October 2009 at 21:36

    Hi John,

    Great posting here, interesting to see so many Goldfinches. We are seeing groups of 6-7. But 30! Very impressive! I saw your last posting on your Tree Sparrows, but didn't get round to leaving a comment. Great that you saw those too. Its a bird that I have heard a lot about, but not seen yet. Have a good week :)

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  12. Midmarsh John7 October 2009 at 22:18

    Thanks Joe. Sometimes overwhelming when they all arrive at the same time.
    The Tree Sparrows are continuing to visit. I think they have joined the House Sparrows for the winter. They are much more timid and the House Sparrows tend to bully them.

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  13. Angie Moore7 October 2009 at 22:33

    What a great Blog. I love the movies! Fabulous.

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  14. twosiehedgehog7 October 2009 at 22:44

    Gosh, what a fantastic sight these are ... and to even catch the queue of the waiting birds. Your shots of the goldfinches in flight are also brilliant - the bright yellow colour on their wings is spectacular.
    We're sorry to hear about Honey's absence. We do hope she'll return soon.

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  15. ADRIAN8 October 2009 at 06:03

    That first picture is stunning.

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  16. Midmarsh John8 October 2009 at 14:42

    Thanks for visiting and the kind comment Angie. I had a quick look at your great bird photos and will be back for a longer browse.

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  17. Midmarsh John8 October 2009 at 14:44

    There is so much coming and going Twosie there are plenty of opportunities for flight shots.

    Honey absent again last night. I assume she has bedded down as it was cold once the Sun had gone down.

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  18. Midmarsh John8 October 2009 at 14:47

    Thank you Adrian. Pure luck what turns out as they move so fast.
    It gets quite exciting checking through a couple of dozen or more shots to see what was actually captured.

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Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Any comment, or correction to any information or identification I get wrong, is most welcome. John

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