On a day when you are at home most of the day, what are your peaks and troughs as regards numbers of birds in your garden. Also, when do your birds go to bed at the moment?
I'm not an earlier riser, no need to be as I am retired and prefer late nights to early mornings. Anyway, I have no idea what time I get an early morning peak, but I certainly have a peak between 11am and 1-30pm. (This is when I'm going to do my bird count.)
There is a lull during the afternoon, then another flurry at the moment about 3-30pm. They seem to be in bed by 4-15, although it isn't fully dark at that time here, and there maybe an odd starling on his look out post, but nothing else.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
I usually see most different birds between 8am and 9am. Greater spotted woodpecker always comes early so I have to be up to watch him (or her). Last year they brought their fledgling so that they could feed him or her suet while he (she) was perched on the tree.
There is usually another flurry of activity at lunchtime. At the moment it depends on the weather: if it's cold & frosty they feed in the garden much more frequently than they do if it's a fairly bright sunny day.
They stop feeding at about 4.30pm here.
Best wishes Chris
Click Here to see my photos
The busiest time in my garden at the moment is around 9:30am. The Robins are in and out from around 7:30am but haven't noticed any others at that time. As for last feeders, the last big busy late feeding spree tends to be at around 3:00pm but the Blue Tits have been feeding up to 4:30pm latest. The pair of Robins I have at the moment are always the last feeders at around 4:30pm as for them going to bed I don't think my Robins do at the moment as they are waking me up all hours of the early morning. 2:00am seems to be the favourite singing time at the moment.
Hi Sparrow
I tend to get up late Sparrow (like yourself), and the birds just take me on that habit alone. I tend to feed them late morning to mid-day (earlier if the weather is cold, and the iced up bird bath need opened up)
If they do not eat all the food from the previous day, they will finish it all early next morning (even if the dishes are out of the cages like one was this morning) Still no signs of the phanton plate stealer yet- no presents left behind at all. {hmmm I wonder}
Just before it gets dark the Blackbirds sit in the Hawthorn tree next to the Patio door although they are reminding me to feed them. Maybe it is a thank you for their food - who knows.
The Blue Tits are still eating until it is completely dark
The Sparrows in the front area are around at each lunchtime and they call each other over for their food placed on a wall outside our front room window.
I think birds just fit around your life as a rule. They seem to know when they are going to be feed even if it is not on their timetable at all.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Nicki C said:I think birds just fit around your life as a rule. They seem to know when they are going to be feed even if it is not on their timetable at all.
I was wondering that myself. If we aren't expecting snow or heavy rain over night, I always go out before I go to bed and put a small amount of food out on top of what they have left over. The best bits (suet pellets, mealworms and sultanas) have all gone by the time I get up, but the less attractive seeds are still there.
Hi Woodpecker,
What a fantastic photo. Thanks for sharing it. So it seems I need to get up much earlier if I am to see a woddpecker in my garden!!
I really think if you do not have a routine like going to work birds will become flexible to you, and your lifestyle. A second helping of food is good during the cold snap too.
When I worked I would feed/water (fresh water) the birds even before daylight at times. Many times I got up at all hours to do that for my feathered friends. {smile}
Then the weekend arrived and I think they got confused. I found Mr blackbird sitting on the window sill outside the bedroom (curtains closed) chinking to get me attention LOL
The birds will launch their complaints to get your attention if they think something is up or has changed.
I alos think the thing about moving around a bit as we do, (OH's work) that birds become attached to you, and you move away - I feel the guilt deserting them to fend for themselves to the point I cry.
Hi Woodpecker
What a fabulous picture of a youngster being fed
Now that is a great picture to me {big smile}
Thank you for sharing
Those two Woodpeckers are so beautiful. What amazing photo's. I'm so envious.
Thanks guys :-) I have taken more pics of 'woody' than of all the other birds put together. However I think that baby woody must have moved his face which spolied it a bit. That one was the best view though.
Here is one of a few of my goldfinches:
my blackbirds tend to come out before dawn- after an hour or so of singing to make sure the neighbours are also awake. Which explains, perhaps, why we got so few christmas cards this year.....
my smaller birds are frequent visitors throughout the day, I think they've learned not to have a routine that Catzilla next door can take advantage of....
I even love magpies