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Odds & Sods 2023

Mike B
03/01/2023 07:45

After yet another successful year on the Odds & Sods thread, initially started I think by Hazy, it might be wise to kickstart the 2023 thread off.

Thank you to those who have contributed to last years thread, and there has been very interesting odds and sods in "Odds & Sods 2022" that aren't enough to place into a dedicated thread, which you can look back on the following link:

https://community.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/f/all-creatures/278729/odds-sods-2022/1417300?pifragment-4285=76#pifragment-4285=1

What better for me, and as yet, I've not ventured far, ewe know what I mean, with this lassie on Baddesley Clinton estate yesterday....

Mike

Flickr: Peak Rambler

  • 13/04/2023 16:51

    I think BD and Tigress brings me a bit of luck.

    I've been mourning the absence of Coal Tits from our garden all winter. Normally we have a couple or three. First time in years I've had to record zero sighting on the RSPB survey.

    Now, it is possible that Coal tits have been around, but I've missed them as they tend to travel in flocks with up to 20 other tits.

    Anyway, 45 minutes ago, as I was fixing my supper, I finally got a 100% sighting of a Coal tit. Only the blighter flew away into a Birch tree to eat its nut.

    I couldn't get as good a photo as BD, but am very pleased to see at least one Coal tit back on my feeder. Not cropping them out, as shot through two panes of grubby glass (must get around to cleaning them), and in a gloomy tree, whilst dodging hail showers - the bird, not me. I was in kitchen.

    90% luck, 5% field craft, 5% camera skills.

  • 13/04/2023 18:34

    Well done Angus. I hope they come again for you ... and for me too ... Relaxed

  • 14/04/2023 07:39 in reply to Tigerss
    The coal tits visiting our garden tend to fly with other tits - which makes spotting them a little tricky, especially when the flock included Long Tailed tits, and all I get is a fleeting glimpse of a white blaze on the top of a black head.

    The birds fly around in mixed flocks for protection - more eyes to spot hunters.

    A large flock of Long Tailed tits (10 birds) tends to fly on its own, but I have noticed a small number of Blue and Great tits tagging along with this flock.

    They also know when I am filling their feeders. I go into garden, and it is reasonably quiet. I start filling feeders and birds start calling to each other - definitely not a warning cry, just very excited. By the time I've walked the 20' to back door, the birds are on feeder. Many eyes keep watch!

    90% luck, 5% field craft, 5% camera skills.

  • 14/04/2023 10:52 in reply to tommytit@
    Great to see, not seen one myself but would love to.
    Thanks for sharing
  • 14/04/2023 13:28 in reply to Angus M
    I know that response Angus! I get the very same thing happen when I top up the feeders.... one a lot of occasions the pigeons are landing on the fence or even at the feeder before I have finished filling a hanging one close by lol.... I'm convinced they even know the sound of my door opening Joy
  • 14/04/2023 13:30 in reply to tommytit@
    Lovely picture TT well caught... thanks for sharing Blush
  • 14/04/2023 21:01
    Just spotted 1st juvie blackbird (with mum) in the garden Grin
  • 15/04/2023 23:21

    Glad to see 8 of these lovely Goldfinches back in the garden today.

    Pictures taken through a window.  I did not want to frighten them off. :-)

    Ed

  • 16/04/2023 00:06 in reply to Ed D
    Goldfinches are such pretty birds and you have caught these beautifully Ed!! Wouldn't have known that you took the photos through a window, they're so clear! Thanks for sharing and well done Blush