Field Fares

[Palustris]

Noticed yesterday that the first flock of field fares arrived. The local blackbirds are not happy. One male has staked out a claim on the Sorbus cashmeriana berries and is having to spend an awful lot of energy defending it from them. Sadly he will lose out to the mistle thrush which also put in its first appearance. Mind once the fieldfares really get going they strip the berries in next to no time.

[Palustris]

[JustMarian]

It's a shame they cannot share the berries!
Judging by the size of your garden, there should be enough for all of them!

[Spurdie]

Eric, we too have seen large flocks of fieldfares. They've been systematically stripping all the rowans off the trees. Noticed a pair of waxwings munching up some rosehips in a neighbour's "garden" (more like wilderness!) today. Very tame. Lovely whistles.

[Palustris]

I envy the waxwings.
The buzzard was sat on the Pergola this morning, it flew off as soon as I came round the end of the tunnel. Closest I have ever seen one to the house, except vertically!

[Spurdie]

Do you have goldfinches in your garden?

[Palustris]

Sadly no, greenfinch, and yellow hammers, but no goldfinch.

[sandersj89]

We get the goldfinches, I have a specific nijer feeder for them but they also love the sunflower hearts.

They are a nice addition to the garden as they scabble and fuss making lots of noise and movement.

Jerry

[Spurdie]

I left my sunflower heads on so that the goldfinches could help themselves, but it's bluetits that hang upside down, scrabbling out the seeds! The goldfinches like the mixed seed on the bird table (which contains black seeds).
We have no yellow hammers, although we used to see plenty at the farm, pinching corn from the hens' feeders! Up here we call them "yalla yighties".

[Wicker]

Spurdie et al, you would be concerned by an article in the local evening paper here about an OAP in Musselburgh who has been trapping birds in his garden for selling on the black market at up to £100 each.  These included yellowhammers, bullfinches, chaffinches, siskins and bramblings.  His favoured entrapment was using nets.  Of course I know birds get trapped and sold  >:( but to do it in his garden in the middle of a town/city .....

[Spurdie]

Stupid, greedy mannie!  >:( But not as stupid as the people who bought the birds from him!  >:(  What did they think they were? Canaries?!?  >:(

[Carol]

Re: the Man trapping birds, I too read that this morning in the Scotsman but it didnt list what birds he trapped.  Stupid man.  I hope he gets a hefty fine.

I had a pair of yellow hammers breeding in my garden this year.  I also have the gold finches, well did, now only one appears.  

Was it you Spurdie who asked about Red Legged Partridges.  Would you believe it I had 5 of them today sat on me wall.  They didnt venture into the garden though, just sat and looked.  I also get the Field Fare but usually further on in the winter.  Wonder if they will turn up this year.  

[Spurdie]

Now you're just showing off, Carol!  ;D

[budgiebreeder]

Gosh lucky you Carol.I get lots of different birds ,living next to a wood .But nowhere near the number that you have.