Hi There
Dave and I decided to go to the lodge today to pick up a new Nyjer Seed Feeder to attract more Goldfinches into our garden area.
So we set off mid-afternoon from our house along to the A428, then to the roundabout leading to the A428. While we travelled towards the Black Cat Roundabout there where lots of flocks of various birds everywhere. At one stage there was a flock of at least 50-70 Woodpigeons flying overhead from one side of the motorway to the other side. I have never seen so many birds together of this species before.
A lot of Rooks remained rooted to the verges of the motorway feeding, and looking for food as they congregated together as a group. Carrion Crows went about in their single minded way in the sky flying along with the thermals.
Then a good sized flock of Starlings flew overhead, and circled around each other as they did. As we approached the Black Cat Roundabout another few Rooks searched close by for food. A lot of young Trees had been planted on the verges and on top of the roundabout area. A great addition to the area.
We turned onto the A1 (Great north road) heading towards London. After about a mile, we drove past a large Rookery to the left hand side of the road. We could see the Rooks sitting on the nests up in the Trees. I counted many nests. and it was a large area for the Crows to be nesting. If I had been walking I would have counted the nests in the area myself. It reminded me of the large Rookery situated on the A421 close to Marston Vale. Worth a survey or two.
We arrived at the Lodge and bought all the things that we needed
Nyjer Feeder - £15.25
Small seed Tray to attach onto the Nyjer Feeder - £5.99
Dried Mealworms 1 Litre - £7.49
Fruity Nibbles 550g - £3.48
Suet Balls x12 - £3.25
Coconut shells x1 £1.40
Shepherds Crook Feeder - £12.99
Plus a card and a brooch so it was a good bit of shopping.
We could see Goldfinches, Greenfinches and Tits on the Garden Feeders next to the shop.
We made our way to look at the 'Board of Sightings and it had some interesting birds including Crossbills, and a Weasal was seen too. {smile}
Once in the car we made our way back home. As we got to the sliproad to the A428 roundabout, I could see a Kestrel perched on a branch of a small Tree eating something in the area of where the Verge and the road met up together. Lovely to see. Must be the resident bird we see now and again when we use this road to get to our destination.
We got home only to find we left the Shepherds Crook Bird Feeder at the RSPB Headquarters - silly us. So I rang up the Lodge and we will pick up our purchase tomorrow.
We placed the Packeted Nyjer Seed in the new feeder and placed it on the Washing line close to where we could see it. So we will see how long it takes for the Goldfinches to arrive...cannot wait now {big smile}
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Good luck, hope they arrive soon :-)
There is something new to learn everyday...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skylark58/
Hi SB
Thank you with your good wishes {big smile}
I do have Goldfinches on my Nyjer feeder at the end of my garden. The feeder is not easy to see from my patio window. It only has 2 perches and is on the small side.
The one I got today has 4 perches and holds a lot more seed. We got the seed catcher tray too. So we can house 6 feeding Golfinches at one time, so that will help them along in life.
http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/p/BirdFeeders/RSPB_Premium_nyjer_bird_feeders.htm?utm_source=rspbwebsite&utm_medium=search&mediacode=T06ITH0221
Unknown said: Good luck, hope they arrive soon :-)
14th March 2010
This afternoon Dave, and I went of to the Lodge to pick up the Shepherds Crook Feeding Station that we left behind at the Lodge, Sandy yesterday - silly us.
We went on the same route as yesterday along the A428 to the Black Cat Roundabout, and around to the A1 (Great North Road) to London As we approached the Black Cat Roundabout I could see a Kestrel hovering in the air, and looking for prey. The bird was so close to the car, I could see under the birds underbelly as we drove past. Fabulous to see {big smile}
Once we went around the Black Cat roundabout we aimed towards the A1 (Great North Road) to London and we past the sign post for Tempsford and I could see lots of Rooks in the Rookery (like yesterday) on the left hand side of the road ... like I did yesterday. What a lot of nests - I would love to find out how many Rooks are nesting in the area - another things to find out about. The Rooks looked busy tidying up their nests. Some birds where already nesting in the trees.
We arrived at the RSPB Headquarters, Sandy, and picked up the Bird Feeder with no worries attached. The shop staff remembered me from yesterday so that was good {smile}
We had to shop at Tesco's, so we went back the same routes as we did before and back through Tempsford. I had another good look at the Rookery. Many of the nests went much further back than I first thought. The nests are placed between the Tempsford sign post on the way to Sandy (A1) and the Tempsford sign post going back to the Black Cat roundabout (A1). So it is a great way of finding the nests - a good landmark to see the birds
Once we drove onto the A428 we drove back towards Bedford. As we reached the slipway for the A428 to Bedford. we could yet another Kestrel hovering in the air. So we saw two Kestrels in one journey and it made us smile. Great day out once more.
We got back and set up the new feeder so now we need to make up our minds which feeders to place on the new bird feeder. Of course not to forget the new Nyjer Feeder {big smile}
Sounds like two good productive trips Kathy! Always nice to see kestrels! Look forward to hearing about all the birds these new feeders / food will attract!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
It does sound like two good trips Kathy, and I will keep my fingers crossed the goldies find the new feeder so you can watch them from indoors.
Your comment about the new trees planted on the round-a-bout reminds me of the round-a-bouts near us, in town and on the byepass. They have been planted with every sort of wild flower you can imagine, and in summer they are so beautiful the round-a-bouts could become dangerous as people are staring at them!!! They are really magnificent and we can only congratulate our council for doing this.
Cheers, Linda.
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Hi MarJus
Thank you for your kind comments.
The Kestrels where fabulous to see close up and personal.
I am watching the new Nyjer feeder like a hawk at the moment.
If anything does happen, I will see if a picture or two will be on the cards, and I know they will be around soon.
From my experience, Goldfinches do get used to people close by so fingers crossed.
As for the 2 car trips, I have disclosed information about the Rookery to Bedford Birders as they are keen to know all Bird information
Rockwolf said: Sounds like two good productive trips Kathy! Always nice to see kestrels! Look forward to hearing about all the birds these new feeders / food will attract!
Hi Sparrow
Thank you for your kind comments once more
Yes, I am amazed how many trees have been planted close to the Black Cat Roundabout. i am sure that it is Council funded, and bless their cotton socks for thinking as they do.
Yes, I know what you mean about the distraction of all the new growth of trees and flowers while driving on any motorway roundabout. So easy as it is such a addition to mother nature to help her along.
Congratulations to the local Bedford Council.
Susan H said: It does sound like two good trips Kathy, and I will keep my fingers crossed the goldies find the new feeder so you can watch them from indoors. Your comment about the new trees planted on the round-a-bout reminds me of the round-a-bouts near us, in town and on the byepass. They have been planted with every sort of wild flower you can imagine, and in summer they are so beautiful the round-a-bouts could become dangerous as people are staring at them!!! They are really magnificent and we can only congratulate our council for doing this.
I wasn't kind to our Halton council on a previous post, but the Fritillaria on one of our round-a-bouts are fantastic.
Sounds like you really enjoyed your trips Kathy. I have noticed on our travels that some of the roundabouts are sponsored.