All families Great and Blue

Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus

These two little ones are the young of our pair of Blues. I am not sure if there are two or three fluffers in this family.
sorry for the bad quality of these photos, but it was hard to keep that window clean and the birds themselves are soiling it this quick that I am beginning to think they are building a smokescreen to feed in private!

The poor parent is trying to keep both her fluffers happy with bits of nut.








Great Tit, Parus major, Junior.

We have a family of Great Tit, Parus major, with 3 fledglings. I believe that they are trying for another brood as I do not see both parents that often. They share the peanutfeeder up front with their cousins the Blue Tit fluffers.
Junior Great Tit and its 2 siblings.



Unfortunately I have not seen any sign of Coal Tits and possible youngsters yet.

A quick peek around the garden

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus




And Dad of course

Dunnock, Prunella modularis



Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus

Great Tit, Parus major



Robin, Erithacus rubecula

Having had Frouke over from Holland to spend a week here and help with painting the living room, bathroom, and helped me with clearing much of Francis' stuff, has helped me a lot. The help I really need, however, like the PA, is still a long way off. With no money available, the fact that there is a waiting list of 13 applicants is a depressing thought, and after 5 months of hearing that there are no funds available, I am getting the impression it might take up to a year at least to get some sort of result.
It just makes you realise how spoilt I was to have Francis as my 24/7 carer. And I still cry several times a night and also many times a day.


Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs

Young Rook from last year.

Siskins lured by new peanut feeder.

Male Siskin, Carduelis spinus

Female Siskin. Carduelis spinus


We used to have numerous Finches when we moved here. Goldfinches, Greenfinches and Siskins. The mixed flock would arrive here in October and stay until moving on again in March. They didn't come in the winter of 2006/2007. I did see a pair of Greens and a pair of Goldies in spring. But these only visited a couple of times till early September. On the day the Irish Wheelchair Association came to bring us to Cork Airport, and a juvenile Goldfinch had me clinging to the window. At first I refused to leave ( of course!) So had they all been breeding here all along?
I'd see Goldfinches now and then in the Summer since then. And Greenfinches would visit very sporadically.

Hence my surprise to see a pair of Siskins yesterday and today! I got the birds a new peanut feeder, this winter. Mr. Chaffinch too, has been trying to find his balance, and today I even spotted the Blackcap on top of it.

Robin, Erithacus rubecula

Dunnock, Prunella modularis

This lady House Sparrow, Passer domesticus got herself a bit in a twist.
Female.

Why bite of bits of nut when you can pass a whole nut through the mesh. I had no idea this was possible.
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus.
Male.

Great Tit, Parus major


Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus
"We want more peanutcake!"

"OK, just give me some time"
Coal Tit, Parus ater



Blue Tit and Siskin


Rook, Corvus Frigulega
I love those 'crest' feathers on the Rook's head.
Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
Female

Male




Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba.



The Collared Doves, Streptopelia decaocto, have been around too, but did refuse to pose for a picture.

A different 'angle' to my Rooks, Corvus frugilegus.

Rook, Corvus frugilegus
One of my Rooks, looking down, after having eaten its fill (in other words: quite a lot!) gave me one last glance before heading off again to its friends at the other side of the fence.
As did this one.


Jackdaw, Corvus monedula
checking out what could be hidden among the grit on the road. This bit of road is frequented by kids which use it as a shortcut between the village shop and their homes.

Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus
Blue Tit on the edge of my Fatsia 'birdtable'

Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba

Wagtails are regulars in the garden as well. Bossy, and very noisy they are too.


Robin, Erithacus rubecula
Another bossy visitor.

Next week I'm hoping to go to Killarney with the gys at respite. It is the worst I can do to my back, which hardly survives 1 trip to Bantry every fortnight! My hope is that we get to see any of the Sea Eagles there of course.