OK, I know we're still in the depths of winter, with much to come, but spring is waiting in the wings! It will be great to hear from you any details of these first signs be it early nesting birds, the first blossom, or a butterfly venturing forth in weak sunshine. If you have dates from previous years for comparison, these will certainly add interest, but we'll gradually build these up in years to come. Look forward to hearing from you - I'm sure it won't be long!
Watch out for swifts
On the subject of Dunnocks, is it at all likely that any would be sitting on eggs yet?
I ask as I have, for well over a year, had two Dunnocks regularly visit my feeder tables and they are rather like an old married couple. They arrive almost together and depart almost together - until now. For the past few days only one has been arriving (may have been either one but it's one rather than two, if you follow that) and the one has been eating quickly and then taking food away - something they don't normally do.
I can only think that they already have eggs they are trying to hatch which, considering we are all using this thread, seems foolhardy in the extreme!!!!!
Does anyone have any suggestions of alternative reasons for this odd behaviour?
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Hi Squirrel,
It sounds to me like they may have a nest, although my book says April to July for Dunnock broods, so they are very early. My dunnock numbers have increased slightly, and they are all busy courting or running away. I have seen them with suet pellets in their beaks, hopping off somewhere, but I think these are such treasures that they take them away to eat in peace and safety.
Perhaps you should see if you can see a nest and put a hot water bottle in it!!!
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Interesting what you say about your dunnocks, Squirrel, as we have a female blackbird, who appears to be carrying nesting material into the climbers, where there is a nest each year. We still have mounds of snow on the verges, where people cleared their drives, from last weeks snow. She is far too early.
Have noticed our goldfinches are feding each other, is this a sign of courtship
LS
[wave] MarJus and ValO
Guess what..... it snowed here overnight. Not a lot but definitely snow LOL
See Ian's latest Wildlife blog!
Squirrel B said: [wave] MarJus and ValO Guess what..... it snowed here overnight. Not a lot but definitely snow LOL
Oops! Sorry! Still none here... ;-)
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Two of my Robins, over the last couple of days, have started standing in front of each other, swaying from side to side with there beaks pointing at the sky, I presume they are courting are they ?
There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.
Unknown said: Two of my Robins, over the last couple of days, have started standing in front of each other, swaying from side to side with there beaks pointing at the sky, I presume they are courting are they ?
Hi BBB,
Sounds like a territorial display to me! The males often sing loudly to advertise their territory and often sing in competition with thier nieghbours against one another. The behaviour you describe will have aggressive undertones and is commonly observed (sometimes turning violent) esp when territories are being established or boundaries are changing during the pairing period.
Thanks for that Lloyd, it hasn't as yet turned violent, there dosn't seem to be an apparent winner yet neither, in between displays they eat quite happily together in the garden, not on the same feeders though. Does this mean its probably there first spring and they are not sure what they are supposed to be doing.