Hungry Hedgehog

After spotting a Hedgehog a few nights ago I placed some food in the Hedgehog house hoping it would return. It needs a few really good meals to put back the weight lost during the long Winter hibernation period.. Delighted to see it came again this morning:



There was dried Hedgehog bites and dried mealworms to choose from. As in the past the mealworms were favourite.

No recent sightings of the female Blackcap. She visited the bird feeder for three mornings and then disappeared. I understand that some are resident in the UK and some migrate here at this time of year. Maybe she was an early visitor replenishing her energy before moving further inland. I live about 4 miles inland from the coast.

New Nestbox

My old bird nestbox with a DIY camera setup was getting past it use by date. As the Blue Tits have started house hunting I decided to replace it with a Birdfy Nestbox which has two cameras:



The collage shows the nestbox in the bottom view, with a solar panel mounted above the shed. Top left is the view from the internal camera. Top right is the view from the external camera which monitors any birds coming and going. Now I wait while the birds get used to seeing a new object and then hope someone takes an interest in occupying it.

Hungry Blackcap

The female Blackcap returned this morning. Obviously very hungry and more confident using the Birdfy feeder.



I wonder whether a male will also turn up one day.

Female Blackcap?

The feeder is working well in its new location. Most birds only land for a few seconds as they are probably still wary of a new feeder. This morning I was pleased to spot what I believe was a female Blackcap. They have visited the garden a few times in past years.



The video is slowed to half speed. If anyone can confirm an identification that would help a lot. The second bird, a Blue Tit, has become a regular visitor already.

Hedgehog Awakes

I was more than a tad surprised when I made my usual daily check for any activity in the Hedgehog house. On one of the coldest nights recently there was one investigating the house.



Yesterday I finally made my mind up to move the Birdfy Bamboo feeder to the back garden.



In its original position there were only three visitors - Male and female Blackbirds and a Robin. That confirmed my decision to move it to a position where a greater variety of birds are used to feeding.



The first to make use of the feeder in its new location was - the Blackbird.

The First Visitor

The camera feeder is in rather an out of the way position but it took less than two hours for the first brave visitor to inspect it. What was it? Just think which common garden bird is always close by when there is anything happening when you are gardening. The Robin.



It was very cautious at first but as the only visitor so far it now has its own private source of food. I am seriously thinking about moving the feeder to near the bottom of the garden. There is plenty of bird activity there plus lots of trees and bushes as safe places for them.

P.S.



A Blackbird has finally found the feeder. Things are looking up.

Bamboo Camera Bird Feeder

This is the camera which took the photo of me relaxing yesterday.



It comes with the Birdfy Camera Bamboo Bird Feeder.



It is not the cheapest of camera feeders. Built of sturdy (and heavy) Bamboo wood it has two containers so you can give the birds a choice of food. The camera has a built in battery which is kept charged by the solar panel which comes with it.



My choice of fixing position was not ideal but it was the best place to let it connect to my router as it automatically uploads 20 second movies each time it detects a movement. These are stored for up to 30 days on the Birdfy server. They can be accessed using the Birdfy app which also has access to live view watching. Uploaded clips can be downloaded to the mobile phone.

A view of the feeder. The small black thing, top left, is the solar panel. I use the large solar panel to charge a small power bank.



Tomorrow I will show some video of its first birdy visitor.