During the snow there was a thread about dates - the fruit variety. http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums/p/8487/61838.aspx#61838
I bought some, but my blackbirds and thrushes ignored them and they are still on the front lawn looking a bit the worse for wear.
This afternoon I put a fresh one on the bird table and another in a flat tray to see if there were any takers. Within a few minutes I witnessed one of the fiercest bird fights I have ever seen - between 2 jackdaws! The noise could have woken Rip Van Winkle. The 2 birds were on the table, fighting over the single date. It was a real tug of war, each with the date in its beak, their 2 mates on the fence cheering them on. Unbelievable. The victor flew off, date in beak, followed closely by his mate. The other date is still in the tray, as yet unseen.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Wow that sounds exciting. If they like juniper berries perhaps you could let them know there are loads of them on my lawn and they never get eaten by anything either.
Best wishes Chris
Click Here to see my photos
Hi Woodpecker,
Don't they use juniper to make gin? Drunken jackdaws would be a sight for sore eyes!
Lol Sparrow!! That sounds hilarious! Did you take any pics? I'm going to have to get some dates now just to see if I get any reactions from my feathered friends!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Susan H said:Don't they use juniper to make gin?
Hi MarJus
Yes I believe that they do. I'm sure they wouldn't want this load that I have just picked up off my lawn though. They came in a mealworm muesli mixture feed from Haiths but nothing eats them. Perhaps they all remember previous hangovers? :-)
I'm also going to get some dates just to see if I can attract any jackdaws LOL
You have just reminded me that I did buy some dates. We do get Jackdaws here, so I will try putting out the dates tomorrow. I presume you should cut them into pieces ?
Hi Brenda,
The ones I cut up during the snow are the ones that didn't get eaten. I left these latest ones whole. I hope I did the right thing. There isn't really a stone inside, more of a seed pouch. If anyone knows what I should do, please tell me!