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Now we dont get much variety of bird visitors in our garden, since the sparrows are so numerous and prolific not many other species get a look in (not really complaining since house sparrows are strugling elsewhere as a species). So what other birds we see are a joy to see in the garden. For instance we hear (but rarely see) Blue T*ts and robins. Finches are another rare visitor, usulay greenfinces but sometimes a chaffinch gets spotted and I have seen once last summer a bullfinch.

This makes the photos I have posted below all the more special. This was the first time I had a proper opportunity to photo birds in the garden as I happened to be out there taking pictures of the garden itself so had the camera ready. I have lost track of the times i have been out there and seen something special, but knew that by the time i'd got the camera it would be gone.

This is a young (female?) greenfinch feeding on the remains of my sunflowers. i was amazed how unfazed it was by my presence since it allowed me to take several photos whilst it was searching for seeds. These though are the best, and i have cropped one to show just the bird, the other as it was taken.

Good photos - I believe that wild birds and animals can see inside you and if you are less of a threat then they will let you get that little bit closer.

Lovely photos, Richard - we've recently started getting greenfinches in the garden too, but I haven't managed to get as close as that.  On the other hand, if Redclanger is right, our doves can see that I'm a soft touch as they now come right up to the house & peer through the window if I haven't been out to feed them yet - if I'm out gardening & I haven't put any food down they practically mob me - I've yet to have one actually land on my head, but they come pretty close!

Richard they are lovely bird photos. ;D

nice pics GC

Quote from: Juliet on November 11, 2005, 22:34:27
Lovely photos, Richard - we've recently started getting greenfinches in the garden too, but I haven't managed to get as close as that.  On the other hand, if Redclanger is right, our doves can see that I'm a soft touch as they now come right up to the house & peer through the window if I haven't been out to feed them yet - if I'm out gardening & I haven't put any food down they practically mob me - I've yet to have one actually land on my head, but they come pretty close!

Care to come and teach my collared doves that. Juliet?

Mine are as jumpy as heck. Slightest noise and the're off - sending everyone else off at the same time!

Ours used to be jumpy too, Richard - but I feed them nearly every day & they have gradually got used to me - at first they flew off if I even opened the window, but now so long as I don't go within arms reach I can walk past them up the garden, or even sit quite near them on the patio - and if I stand by the fence they will fly over & sit on the fence next to me.  They are still a bit nervous of Romeo though.

having said what i said in the earlier post, one did let me get quite close the other day. That though was an exception.

I dont tend to feed the doves directly, since they are quite happy clearing up after the sparrows. What they dont want and spill on the floor the doves and pigeons will eat.