Starlings and brave Siskins.

Starlings have discovered that their heads (and the-all-important-bill- can fit right through the gaps in the squirrel guard around the peanutcake feeder. There are only two brave enough to come into the garden, but as we all know, Starlings never come alone! The Corvids are very envious of the Starling's smaller size. They would love to get their hands on this delicacy.

The Greenfinches and House Sparrows seem always in the mood for a few sharp words, once another bird joins their feeder.

The Robin was teasing me by hiding among the twigs, but did pose for me eventually.

The birds will attend my tree-planting ceremony. And I hope that they will appreciate the Rowan, Common Alder and Blackthorn. We have chosen Tuesday, the 24th January, for this. It would have been Francis' 63rd birthday.
It is more appropiate to plant the Rowan in his memory on the day Francis was born, rather than on the day he died. This way we can celebrate his life, instead of the day his heart stopped.

The 6 Siskins seem to be fearless, and they will fend off any of the bigger birds, inspiring the many Blue and Coal Tits to do the same.

I had a beautiful mobile of silver seagulls, which I bought in Whitby in 1974. Several cats have jumped up to it over the years, and now I have only a couple of loose seagulls left. I will try and get some thread on them again, and hang these in the Rowan. Francis loved these little silver birds, as much as I did, and he'd be pleased to have them out in his tree for the day.
I will do a blog on the planting on Wildlife on Wheels.
This blog is still in its hibernation like all the species she covers in spring and summer. Its about time she awakens!

A little baby Rat, still pink-nosed & footed, has braved the wet & windy weather to feed on the dropped seeds. Not very happy with him/her, because I doubt it is the only one in the garden!

Young Starlings. plus a few other gardenbirds.

Last Friday, I had hoped on catching a glimpse of the local Dog Fox or the Vixen at Rehabcare, as I waited early morning at the compost heap down at Rehabcare in Bantry. It was a little too early perhaps, as it was only six in the morning, but I had been up since 5am, and in the hours of the morning, I loved watching how this garden came to life.
Reinhart didn't show this day, perhaps he was hunting for a meal to feed his cubs? (if there any).
At around 8am a lot of commotion accompanied a large flock of Starling, which included a number of juveniles. They were still quite young with a bit of their fluff still remaining. Not at all like the juvenile Starlings I've had in my garden in 2009.

Young Starling, Stimus vulgaris




It was obvious that the little one was hungry, as it kept doing its wing flick all the time. (Making it harder to kept some prper pictures too. )


juvenile Starling


few birds of the mixed flock of adult and youngsters Starlings.

This Starling I caught in September 2009.



I caught this female Blackbird while I was taking macro images of Grasses and Dock, but a (relatively)quick removal of the close-up lens mant I was just able to catch this beautiful lady and her fat catch. For a hungry chick perhaps?

Blackbird, Turdus merula.
Taken on in the same garden in Bantry.


female Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs

Having been away for 4 days, mama Chaffinch was eager to show me her lovely offspring:
juvenile Chaffinch.





Rook, Corvus frugilega
Sitting out in the garden, I was waiting for this Rook to go and preen itself. (and thus get a few good shots. No luck)



Magpie, Pica pica.
Out in Bantry.

Great Tit, Parus major.
In my garden.

Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus
On the 'birdtable in the planter in my garden.

I must say that the Jackdaw are taking long. I'm looking forward to their chicks! They are breeding in the school's chimney(s) next door.. I'm sorry, I just love young Jacks!

Calm before the storm

Jackdaw, Corvus monedula

Jackdaws have these lovely and iconic eyes, I always think. Many Corvids, (Rooks, Raven, Magpies and Hooded Crows, and the Jay have black eyes, which, apart for the Jay, have what look like black eyes, but which can have a lovely blue shine over them.



Rook, Corvus Frugilega



A few pairs of Jackdaws nest in this, and other, chimneys of the --very pink--school next door. For a moment I thought we had a pair too, when I heard some noises up inside the chimney. But that was false alarm.



Most of the birds are busy elsewhere at the moment, courting, building nests, laying eggs, incubating and eventually raising those noisy chicks. It is a kind of calm before the storm; in summer the planter will be packed with mainly little House Sparrows, juvenile Jackdaws and others will try and try and find a bit to eat here too.

Male House Sparrow, Passer domesticus
So many girls to chose from...
Female house Sparrows, Passer domesticus





Robin, Erithacus rubecula


Collared Dove,Streptopelia decaocto


Male Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs


The Great Tits and Blue Tits are nesting nearby; the Blues inside a gap in a wall in front of our house. The county council built this wall along the path to our house. If it wasn't there we would fall down the "cliff face" of lime stone. We live on a hill and the garden in front of us, is a few levels below us, halfway the hill. It is a good wall for the birds; at the back is a garden below.
Great Tit, Parus major

Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus


A while back I posted pictures of a Blue Tit with an eye' problem. According to Niall Hatch at Birdwatch Ireland, it looks very much like an eye infection which is common in House Finches in North America.
If so, she'd get blind and as we all know, a blind bird is a dead bird. I am hugely surprised to still see her, and I haven't yet seen any signs of weakening in her. Mind you, it is hard to tell without the aid of photos, which bird is which. If she is the one nesting, then I fear the most for her chicks. I'd never expected her to be alive still. I need to find out more about the infection. Any links, info or whatever is helpful. Below this post is a comment box. Please leave the message there.

Collared Doves becoming regulars in the garden.

Collared Doves, Streptopelia decaocto,
Cosy Doves.
The pair of Collared Doves, Streptopelia decaocto have become very regular visitors. They'll come to feed in the morning at about 11am; lunch is around 3pm, and following this we see them coming again at around 5pm.
They are behaving more and more like a couple of lovesick teens.

the first time when the pair arrived to feed properly in the planter, all the other birds, large and small, flew off immediately, and there was no movement at all. All life had ceased to exist suddenly.
The birds are slowly getting used to having these 2 large birds in the garden and in the feeding station. Most (esp. the little ones) will fly off as soon as they spot one of them on the fence.

The, the Blue and Coal, Tits, tried coming closer to where their suet shells are hanging. This shows that they are at last coming to terms with these new regulars.

Here's some photos of my new friends. I'm trying for another picture; I want to make one of the pair tail to tail. A bit like this, but more exact.
Almost had their position when they were just standing in the reflection of the fridge on the window! They'll get into that position again soon, I hope.







This Jackdaw takes a gamble at entering the planter, I love those typical Jackdaw white eyerings.


(have a look at how, for a moment they gaze at each other! In the human world that is.)


Anything down there?

Other birds in the garden;

Pied wagtail, Motacilla alba.


Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus


House Sparrow, Passer domesticus (female)


Great Tit, Parus major


Coal Tit, Parus ater.


Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos