Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71 Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 ...if I was a Sparrowhawk I wouldn't waste my time on agile, scrawny, little garden birds....I would target the less agile, meatier pigeons etc. We do have Sparrowhawks around here and I've only seen them take pigeons. Cheers Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted April 17, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 17, 2013 ...if I was a Sparrowhawk I wouldn't waste my time on agile, scrawny, little garden birds....I would target the less agile, meatier pigeons etc. We do have Sparrowhawks around here and I've only seen them take pigeons. Cheers Dave I've seen a sparrowhawk trying for small songbirds, but as you say they are too nimble and dart into the hedge, where the hawk cannot go. The hawk gave up after 10-15 mins of these "now you you see me now you don't" games. They have taken at least one Blackbird though. Wood pigeons (no feral ones here) being much bigger, might be more difficult, though more rewarding? I used to live about 3/4 mile from here and it was only feral pigeons we got in the garden (I wonder why?) and a sparrowhawk would sit on the privet outside the kitchen window plucking it's catch. - feathers everywhere! Keith 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted April 21, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 21, 2013 Bit of a 'cop' this afternoon at Rufford Country Park - Cirl Bunting; a first for me and what a lovely, identifiable song. P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Budgie Posted April 21, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 21, 2013 There were three robins in my back garden at the same time earlier: Mr & Mrs Robin and a fledged chick that hasn't got its red breast yet. Wonderful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDolfelin Posted April 22, 2013 Author Share Posted April 22, 2013 Bit of a 'cop' this afternoon at Rufford Country Park - Cirl Bunting; a first for me and what a lovely, identifiable song. P I'm not a twitcher but would have liked to have seen that! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted April 22, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 22, 2013 Wood pigeons (no feral ones here) being much bigger, might be more difficult, though more rewarding? Keith A wood Pigeon is fair game for a Female Sparrowhawk but a bit too big for a male. Collared Doves are definately on the menu in our garden with one gone only a few days ago. We have 3 pairs of Blue Tits now nesting in boxes around the garden, and on Saturday morning we had 4 Blackcaps (very unusual) mooching about. As for grey squirrels eating eggs and chicks............fraid not, it's man and cats they have the greatest effect on bird numbers. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDolfelin Posted April 22, 2013 Author Share Posted April 22, 2013 Squirrels have a huge impact here, Chris/Dave. Not as much as cats/hawks/magpies perhaps but significant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted April 22, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 22, 2013 Squirrels have a huge impact here, Chris/Dave. Not as much as cats/hawks/magpies perhaps but significant. From what I have read there can be small pockets of behaviour such as this, but on the whole it is man and the moggie that has the greatest effct on nature. For instance we have no squirrels or magpies where we are, what we do have is an abundance of cats, cats and more bloomin cats. Next door to us we have a development of Flats and Masionettes (40) and there are something like 50+ cats in an area about 3 times the size of our garden. The owners seem to have the attitude of throw them out and let them roam. I've managed to keep most out with the help of the hosepipe but every week brings a new one to the area, no collars (maybe chipped ?) or bells that could alert their presence. Have to admit that poor pet ownership gets on my wick a bit..... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted April 22, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 22, 2013 If you can get some Lion's cr*p (not a joke) then that is good for deterring cats I'm told. (Zoo or wildlife park- think ther is one of these in your area). P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted April 22, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 22, 2013 If you can get some Lion's cr*p (not a joke) then that is good for deterring cats I'm told. (Zoo or wildlife park- think ther is one of these in your area). P Yes, but I can see myself throwing it at them..... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDolfelin Posted April 22, 2013 Author Share Posted April 22, 2013 The lion it came from would be better. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted April 22, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 22, 2013 A couple of coal tits about (I identified them by their call by listening to a set of BBC wildlife audio files) and there are a pair of lapwings nesting in one of the larger fields just up the road. Tawny owls out in the evening as well. Regards Richard 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Downendian Posted April 23, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 23, 2013 South Devon appears to be the point of arrival for summer migrants. Close to the garden (well about a mile away) I spotted this pair of swallows this evening on my five mile walk. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted April 24, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 24, 2013 I heard a clattering and banging from our oak tree yesterday afternoon. On closer investigation it was a pair of blue tits sorting out the nest box I must try and get some pictures to share. Regards Richard 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted April 24, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 24, 2013 Jay in the garden this morning. Don't see many around here. Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Budgie Posted April 24, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 24, 2013 Jay in the garden this morning. I have a local jay who loves to walk along my garden railway baseboard until he spots something he can eat. Then he flies down and roots around for a bit, then after a while he's back up on the baseboard scouting around again. Ten out of ten for intelligence there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
westie7 Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Couldn't believe it this morning, house sparrows chewing and clawing at the blue tit box trying to squat/steal materials. Never seen them so aggressive before Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
28XX Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Thomas (20 months) is fascinated by the birds. What is the best type and site of bird table / feeder so he can see them through the window? Large squirrel population in my corner of Worcestershire but not too many cats. Not sure about sparrowhawks, wouldn't know one if it built a nest on my head. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted April 24, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 24, 2013 (edited) Thomas (20 months) is fascinated by the birds. What is the best type and site of bird table / feeder so he can see them through the window? Large squirrel population in my corner of Worcestershire but not too many cats. Not sure about sparrowhawks, wouldn't know one if it built a nest on my head. Try and get feeders with outer wire cages. This stops the squirrels (and foxes) from getting their teeth into the feeder I have a nut feeder (for bird peanuts) and a general seed feeder as well as hanging fat balls Many of these feeders can be mounted on a pole which enhances security further. Siting them close to hedges is also more re-assuring for the birds as long as an animal in the hedge after the birds can't reach them Examples: http://www.gardmanwildbirdcare.co.uk/products/feeders?page=3 Most garden centres & DIYs have a selection of different makes and types at varying quality and price. Keith Edited April 24, 2013 by melmerby Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Couldn't believe it this morning, house sparrows chewing and clawing at the blue tit box trying to squat/steal materials. Never seen them so aggressive before Must be pikey sparrows. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted April 24, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 24, 2013 Something I have noticed this year is that there seems to be more bird song than last year. Whether that is because there are more birds, or just better weather, i don't know. Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Today's Twitter feed had the furriest "flightless bird" I've yet seen. Mission: Impossible! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
durham light infantry Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Today's Twitter feed had the furriest "flightless bird" I've yet seen. Mission: Impossible! "Is Hammsterr", "No, is Rat" Mike 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 (edited) "Is Hammsterr", "No, is Rat" I'm definitely attracting the wrong type of bird. Oh what wouldn't I give for to see a decent pair of tits. Edited April 24, 2013 by Horsetan 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
westie7 Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 "Is Hammsterr", "No, is Rat" Mike Yeah I had one of them last year, it took a direct hit to the arse with a .177 and still managed to live, came back two hours later got a head shot to sort it once and for all Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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