In a Scottish country garden

Hi all, I'd like to offer a bit of background to this thread, if I may? We moved back to central, rural Scotland from S Wales in 2022 and have been adapting to but loving the solitude and quiet that has brought but, for me, it's the wildlife, the birds. We are SO lucky to have birds visiting the garden that I'd hoped I might see here. Now I see most of them daily so, I have a "few" photos taken from my den, (wee box room) where I look out directly at an Ash tree and our feeders. 

So, I'd like to share some of those images here, I hope that works or is the way it's done?

September 1st 2024

As an example, as I typed this, I spotted a wee bird landing at the base of the tree, turned out to be a young Robin. Robins are a less frequent visitor so I was up and grabbing a few shots when an adult shot in and chased it off!! Typical. 

This morning, my mood was totally lifted by the first (as far as I know) visit of a wee flock of Long-tailed Tits AND, a couple stood still long enough to photograph! Bonus Smile

Set September off nicely. Thumbsup

    

I don't think I've had such clear shots before, they're usually at dawn or dusk and in a hurry!

Really pleased to get these shots, I'm sure there will be more, they come through more often as the weather changes. 

  • Mike, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or something like that.

    Hey, stop pinching my line!! 

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

  • Another nice selection Scozmos, thanks

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

  • Good afternoon all, just been for a bracing walk up at my favourite reservoir, when I say bracing, I mean I had to tie my hat down, my hair's ruined Wink

    Anyway, drove back home, made us some lunch and headed for the Mac den (spare bedroom) when I spotted something out on the back patio.

        

    A tiny wee Long-tailed Tit that must have hit the patio doors, bless it. As I always do, I started taking phone pics as I worked my way closer ...

    It was obviously dazed, which is good, meaning it will recover, most of our window strikes do Fingers crossed

        

    Look at that wee face, looks seriously fed up and probably pretty scared.

    Now, as some have seen, we have regular Sparrowhawk visits among others that cruise by overhead so ....

    I used my finger to get him up off the ground, planning to move it to safety. Of course, it clung to my finger and would not let go, still dazed I'd guess.

    Bearing in mind it's still blowing a hoollie outside, I walked slowly round to the front tree where all the birds pass through.

    So, I haven't seen it since, I'm sitting in the window next to the tree, there's food, water and other birds there.

    So, here's a wee video of it.

    Juvenile Long-tailed Tit

  • Poor wee thing, fingers crossed it made  it to safety.

  • Hope it recovers OK. I get one now and then fly into my patio doors. Like you, fortunately most survive ... Fingers crossed

  • Aw poor wee thing, hopefully he found and left with his family 

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

  • It looks reasonably alert Scozmos, hopefully makes it ok Fingers crossed

  • Aww bless that little bird;   hopefully it will recover and rejoin the flock.

      We've had birds hit our balcony doors and all but two out of more than 15 survived.     I always approach them from behind if they are stunned and lift them gently and pop them in one of the planter pots on the covered balcony which is protected from the elements, I sit it on top of the soil which is about 6" down from top of pot so it feels safe there and then back away indoors where I keep an eye on it from a distance and it is wonderful to see them suddenly hop up on to the side of the planter, get their bearings and fly off to join the other birds.    It can take between 15 mins and an hour for them to respond but shows how resilient these little birds are.        Anyway, well done helping this LTT and good chance it has recovered and flown off to join their close knit family group.      

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    Regards, Hazel