Mersehead is full of secret spots and great hideaways where you can relax, take a breath and really get close to the wildlife. Today we’re discussing a not so secret one; we’re taking a closer look at the Bird Feeders in the Visitor Centre garden!
In the back of the visitors centre, beyond the windows is a perfect example of a paradise for nature. Flanked by two deadwood trees it’s a flourish of different flowers, hidey holes and little homes for insects all designed to show off a real, achievable home for nature that can be done from the comfort of your own little garden!
The showstopper comes in the form of two, plain ol’ feeders perched on those deadwood trees which attract a wealth of garden birds, some of which you may have never seen before!
Close to the windows and the perfect viewing distance from two – very comfy – sofas the birds dart back and forth without a care in the world to the viewing public only a few feet away! The two feeders are of varying sizes in order to allow a number of birds to visit at any one time and are filled first thing in the morning using a mix of seed which makes sure to cater to almost any visiting bird. A little extra is scattered across the nearby logs and ground to treat any of the birds that prefer to hop rather than hover and then the feeding frenzy begins
Tree Sparrow, Photo Credit Oliver Smart Right: House Sparrow, Photo Credit Ray Kennedy)
First into the fray are the Sparrows. The House Sparrows are straight to the feeders, usually in pairs followed by the cheeky little Tree Sparrows, chasing each other out the way. The Tree sparrows have a more chestnut head compared to the house sparrow and a black check spot either side
(Left: Greenfinch, Right: Goldfinch, Photo Credit Jennifer McDougall)
The Finches are next, both Gold and Green and although it’s the green ones that look grumpy as sin it’s the Goldfinches that have a mean streak! They’ll nip at the other bird’s tails and scare them away!
(Left: Blue Tit, Right: Great Tit, Photo Credit Jennifer McDougall)
The Tits fill the gaps, sneaking back and forth, patiently waiting for a space to appear so they can grab lunch and dart away.
(Yellowhammer and Chaffinch, Photo Credit Mike Lane)
All the while the Chaffinches hop back and forth hoovering up anything that drops from the feeders, mixing with the Dunnocks and the beautifully bright Yellowhammers. The Pheasants are also regular visitors, strutting their way through the flowers and are sometimes joined by Blackbirds, Jackdaws and the odd nosey pigeon. It is busy busy busy all day!
The only time our feeding station ever sits empty is when there’s a hungry bird of prey prowling! Sparrow Hawks sometimes take a sneaky dive at the station hoping to pluck a distracted bird from its dinner! You can always tell when the Sparrow Hawks on his way when there’s a frightened squeak from the Oyster Catchers across the pond and a flutter of wings, he soars right past the window with lunch in his talons!
Sparrowhawk, Photo Credit Steve Knell)
The feeders provide a great all day spectacle and there’s rarely a moment the feeding station sits empty. So whether you’re taking a moment to rest after exploring the trails, catching up with a few garden favourites or warming up with a spot of tea, the Visitor Centre garden is worth a sneaky peak!
Even if some of the birds do look a little grumpy!
(A very grumpy Greenfinch, Photo Credit Jennifer McDougall)
Jennifer McDougall
Residential Volunteer