A place to learn, share and inspire others to create a haven for you and for wildlife.
Sign In or Register to join the conversation
Hi all, just wanted to share a few thoughts and experience of these first couple weeks of 2010. If you don't mind...
For me, I feel that 2010 is going to be a good year for birding. Its only the second week in this new year and I feel slightly overwhelmed at what I have seen, where I have been etc. I have been to both Sandwell Valley and Old Moor so far so I hope this is going to be something I manage to keep up.
I have always been a back garden birder; as I said elsewhere I am useless at spotting birds in reserves! But, on New Years Day I went to Sandwell Valley (and what a great way to spend a New Years day! Purely because I got to experience watching a Heron fly up the canal, it was the most beautiful sight I had seen in a while and I was just mesmerised by it.
To some these may seem insignificant but to me I am happy :o)
I have seen 4 Kestrels, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk on my way to Old Moor, a Little Owl, Fieldfare and Female Bullfinch (for the first time) at Old Moor.
On a walk yesterday I saw 4 Wrens, a Song Thrush (I haven't seen one for at least 5 years then two in a week!) and a flock of Long-Tailed Tits. Plus I heard something that I can only describe as sounding like a hoarse Magpie?
I've had Redwings in the garden, the Goldcrest is back and we've had a Song Thrush!
Oh and today I saw a Grey Wagtail on the yard at work!
I hope I haven't bored you all but to me these are things to say 'wow' about :o)
Definitely people are helping out - the local Co-op had run out of bird seed this morning!
I read a suggestion somewhere to keep the lid off the compost heap so that birds can get any insects in there, but as mine is a bin, and the compost isn't up to the top, I feel a bit worried that they'll hop in and not get out.
When I went to the garden centre this morning they had put up a huge display as soon as you walked in - I was most impressed!
In a localised effort, I ordered a bit of extra stock to place in a stand by the tills. Being off this week though I may have to go down and explain my actions!
It wouldn't be too easy to get even a small stand somewhere going with everyday products the birds would eat - but a bit of advertising would be just as simple.
I'm sure it will fly off the shelves Paul, no need to worry. I went to Wilkinsons for suet pellets & dried mealworms yesterday & they were out of stock, they told me they can't get enough in.
Sounds good there Paul
We need to keep our feathered friends well stocked up with bird food.
Tesco's in Bedford have their ups and downs with restocking the selves at the moment.
Just needs a big supermarket to realise the importance of their bird products ie... homebase/B&Q.
We want our bird food to be easily got no matter what the price.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Paul - back to your original posting! Nothing is insignificant! If people reach that stage then I feel sorry for them! I was at Venus Pool yesterday and had quite a few people come into the hide and say "nothing about..." and "isn't it quiet"!! I didn't count the species I saw but it was in excess of 20 and that was just from the hide! There were plenty more about in the surrounding trees!
Buzzard - It is a real concern! It's great to hear about the multitudes of people doing whatever possible to help, but there's very little that can be done I guess for the kingfishers and many other species that can't/won't go to gardens.
I read in the latest Bird Watching magazine that the Feb 09 snow decimated the Dartford Warblers population from 1001 pairs to just 117!!!! What will this do to them???
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Paul -
What is the normal practice for disposing of fruit that has past its shelf life?
I asked at my local supermarket the other day if they had any soft fruit that was no longer fit to put on the shelves. I was informed that they aren't allowed to either sell it or give it away. It has to go back from whence it came on the wagon. I was told they used to give it to people who asked, but have been stopped from doing this. Presumably the dreaded health and safety again.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Rockwolf said: Paul - back to your original posting!
Paul - back to your original posting!
Thank you :o) It was more from a personal perspective as what I had seen and how I have expectations to get out and about more. I know the weather is bad and the effects it is having too - I read the news and RSPB blog posts :o)
I have been thinking about the Kingfishers and came to the same conclusion as you have, MarJus, they are harder to help. One can only hope they are subsidising their diet with whatever is available around them.
Sparrow - the normal practice for disposing of "waste" is as you have been told. I suppose their thinking is if there's a slightest chance someone will pass it off for human consumption, I'm really not sure. But now if you can't sell it, bin it. it is a shame because some of the things may not be fit for human consumption they're still very much ok for animals (they don't mind a bruised apple or a black banana for example).