A few birds have now started to use the peanut butter feeder I bought from CJ Wildlife - Starlings and House Sparrows have to hover as they can't get a grip on the metal. Blue Tits do manage to stand on the lip:
Long Tailed Tits are rare visitors to my garden so I was very lucky to get these shots a few days ago. It was a pity they used the peanut feeder which was hidden behind the log feeder but they can still be see. As usual they move around in groups and are the only birds I have never seen squabble as they cluster together. Yes, that is the first of the snow you can see falling:
Most amusing to watch, but too short to be filmed, have been attempts made by a couple of Magpies trying to get at the log peanut butter feeder. The fly at it and try to snatch a beak full before they fall back down to earth. As the morning started with a temperature of -2.5C and a layer of snow all the feeders were in great demand. The Winter gathering of Blackbirds in the garden has started which is guaranteed to spark of squabbles when one invades another's private space. Spotted yesterday was a Mistle Thrush which was too timid to stay very long.
Have a great weekend observing the wildlife around you.
Amazing that they can grip the enamel finish.
ReplyDeleteAlways good to see LTTs.
I get as much enjoyment from the feeders than almost everything else.....it's about time I got out more.
Always great to be visited by LTTs Adrian.
DeleteLovely to see those Long Tailed Tits John. They really are the most sociable bird. I don't think I've ever seen them squabbling.
ReplyDeleteThey are very sociable Keith.
DeleteVery enjoyable flicks John. I particularly enjoyed seeing the LTTs. I love how they all descend on the garden in one mad rush and disappear again just as quickly. The fairies of the bird world I always think :-)
ReplyDeleteYes Jan. the LTTs don;t stay in any place for very long so it makes a change to get them on video.
Deletelong-tailed tits from the UK and fairy wrens from australia have to be the most adorable birds in the world. :)
ReplyDeleteThey are delightful little bundles of feathers TexWisGirl.
Deleteso much fun to watch.
ReplyDeletePlease you liked it Wilma.
Deletewould a few clothes pins on the edge of the jar help with perching while having a PB snack?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunatly, ImaBurdie, the Starlings have perfected a technique so I am not giving them an extra help.
DeleteNice to see the Blue tit using your new feeder, John. I can imagine some birds might find perching a problem at the start. I guess if it was really cold and they were very hungry they’d work out a way.
ReplyDeleteJust out of interest to you, I buy my unsalted peanut butter from the SWT Reserve I visit. The product is by Meridian and is a Crunchy Peanut Butter with no added salt or sugar. I got it in a plastic 1kg tub. It is a popular food for Blue tits, Great tits, Coal tits and Blackbirds in my garden just now.
Jealous of your LTT video capture – well done you :-)
Hello Shirl. The jar is nearly empty now. Most was grabbed by the Starlings so I won't be putting out whole jars again. Maybe another home made feeder to limit the amount they can take in a day.
DeleteThanks for letting me know about Meridian. I have found some suppliers for it and it is a lot cheaper than the stuff I have now.
Pure luck with the LTTs ;)