Who are your regulars?

A lot of the species such as tits and finches will form winter flocks will have set feeding routes, and stick to them out of habit. its only if theres a sudden change or severe lack of food that they necessarily move off and feed elsewhere. Certainly birds like robins, blackbirds and wagtails will be defending winter territories from other potential ivaders or competitors for food! this competition can also sometimes force birds of elsewhere..

Best wishes for the New Year!

Hi Sparrow,

I don't get finches either, like you I see them around but never really in the garden.  When I'm on the walkwat the back of the house I see them (and my first Bullfinch last week!) but they never stray into the garden.  Same as Long-Tailed Tits, they're over there but they don't come here.

I had 2-3 Goldfinches in the summer but they stayed 2 weeks at the most and I haven't seen them since.

Also I haven't seen a Greenfinch or Chaffinch in the garden for nearly 12 months, they just don't seem to come here.  You are not on your own here :o)

I have Nyjer out for the finches, but when it starts going off because they're not visiting I move the feeder so the woodpigeon can get rid of it for me.

Oh and as for the Tits, I only ever get them going to and fro, its always grab the food and fly to the tree.  But I presume this is their typical feeding behaviour?

hi Paul E

Fabulous pictures of the Goldcrests.  Well taken by the way.

They do like their Fatballs.

If you hear the Goldcrest calls they have the most wonderful circular way of calling - and very distinctive. Once you hear the call you never forget it. {smile}

We have had a group of Goldcrests in my local Putnoe LNR.  Good environment for them as they like to live amongst evergreen trees.

For interest: they are related to the Kinglet family, and are closely related to the Warbler family - never knew that myself - the things we learn from books and the website.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Unknown said:

You're not missing much re. Willenhall, lol!

Thank you for the comments about the Goldcrest pics, I'm hoping they return this year now I have a new lens and I'm better with my camera!

I have been thinking about going to Sandwell Valley soon, in fact I considered today but it never happened for one reason and another.  Might go sunday if the weather is decent.

I haven't been to Wrens Nest for years, in fact I'd forgotten about it!  I'll make plans to go there in the summer.

I've never been to Saltwells Nature Reserve will have to look into that too.

Thanks for the comments and the info :o)

Agreed re the Goldcrest's call - its one that you never forget and once you've picked up on it and you hear it when you're out you stop dead in your tracks and start looking for it!

I remember hearing one at Lake Vyrnwy in the sumer and I knew it was looking right at me calling but I just could not find it!

Since we have that huge conifer at the back, other's round the side of the house that are the other neighbour's where the sparrows live and several of our own (at fence height to hide the neighbour's tatty fence and keep their cat out) we have plenty of coniferous trees for them.  

When they were here in January they were taking great interest in the nestbox in the big conifer - the excitement was almost too much to handle!

Thanks Lloyd and Paul,

Now I know I'm not the only one without finches and only fleeting visits from tits I don't feel so bad.

I will have to put up some signposts in the tree to direct them down to my feeders. I am hoping that as the bluetits are using the nest box for roosting, they may use it for a nest, and then maybe I will have my own little family who will stay with me through the summer.

My goldfinches use the nyjer, so I leave it up but have to give it a good shake every day or two. When I clean it out I use the left over nyjer to add to other mixes I make, so it isn't wasted. I did have 5 regular goldfinches. This reduced to one single one a few weeks ago. Today there were 2, so hopefully the other 3 will come back.

Hi Paul E

Just wanted to say what lovely photos of your Goldcrest - they are lovely birds aren't they.  Very well captured, thanks.

Unknown said:

Hi Paul E

Just wanted to say what lovely photos of your Goldcrest - they are lovely birds aren't they.  Very well captured, thanks.

Thank you for your comments Kezmo.  I'm hoping the Goldcrests will return this winter, they are lovely little birds and I have found these two to not be shy in the slightest!  Not sure whether that is a character of the species or not.

I've got suet out and its in the same place as it was their last visit so fingers crossed!

Hi Paul E

Yes, so true what you say about the Goldcrest's call like a musical tinkle

I have not been to Lake  Vyrnwy at all - where is it?

The nestbox in the Conifer sounds a wonderful idea, as you never know what you are going to get in it.

Love to hear about it, and if you get any pictures all the better.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Hi Paul,

Good luck with your nest boxes, and also with the suet in the same place as last year. I do hope they come back for you.

Also well done for plugging Lake Vyrnwy. It has to be the most breathtaking RSPB reserve there is.