January 2012

I hope you all had a good Christmas and that you had a good start of 2012. Here it was just me, the birds and the rain/winds. And missing my good old mate, Francis a lot.
I'm having a lot of difficulties with January; I got 3 emotional first anniversary dates coming up on the 24th, the 26th, all leading up to Francis' death on the 28th.
Anyway, here's some of my visitors.



Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus












Goldfinch, Carduelis

Bird feeding stations.

Robin, Erithacus rubecella

Greenfinch, Chloris chloris.
2 Males

Pff. keeping that other male off MY food was hard work!

The Greenfinches are definitely very bossy on the feeders, these days
Male Chaffinch and Great Tit, Parus major

Coal Tit, Parus ater

Female House Sparrow, Passer domesticus( right)

Blackcap, Sylvia atriciapilla
Male.

My Duunock, Prunella modularis


Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
Female
Male.


Rook, Corvus frugilegus

Most of my Corvids(Rook, Jackdaws and Hooded Crows. Plus some Magpies) are not very happy with the new set-up at the kitchen feeding station. They have difficulty flying to and landing on the little mesh birdtable, almost tipping it over, where the pole not tied up.
Another, large, birdtable is supplying the Collared Doves, Streptopelia decaocto, the Blackbirds, Turdus merula. And anyone else who comes along.

Christmas for the Birds in my garden.

Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis

Hiya.


Greenfinch, Chloris chloris (Female)

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus. (Male)

Coal Tits, Parus ater.

The Shed motel, a special hide-away for the birds in my garden. Full with wood, fresh straw and probably laden with hibernating Insects.
Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus.



Rook, Corvus frugilegus

Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto



Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs


The Birds had their Christmas present revealed on Saturday when Katja (my Homehelp) and I put the RSPB bird feeding station together outside my kitchendoor on the side of the house. At least now I can see my birds on the feeders, and do not have to sit outside with my camera to capture those feathered friends.
I need them to be close to me, to cheer me up, because I'm going through a real hard time at this moment. Next month it is a year already since Francis died, and it is getting harder as time goes by. A bit against that saying that it will get easier as time goes by. Okay, it is 11 months only, and I still don't eat properly either.
I hope I will manage to post regularly again too.

I did get three new trees, the other week. A Common Alder, Alnus glutinosa, Mountain Ash, Sorbus poterifolia, and a Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa.
Of course these are for the Birds, too. And together with my Hawthorn and Common Hollies, these will create a nice cover against the grey walls of the garden.

One for the road

From the window in my workroom I have the perfect view on the birdbath. I love watching the birds there. It is just far enough so the Birds are not spooked by movement or reflection of the lens.
I will hang a feeder near the window too, I have just ordered a window feeder with the RSPB, and see how that will work. That would mean I won't get any work done of course!
Anyway here are a few birds;
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus. at the kitchendoor.


Just a last drink, dad..

Was that nice or what..

That was real nice. Wish I could just turn around, and have another sip before bed..


Oy! You are wasting time; off to bed with you.


I'm your dad, and I know what is best for you!


Great Tit, Parus major, looking for natural food (like invertebrates hiding under the capping of this -front-gardenwall. I've often seen Spiders and Insects hide under the overhang of the wall. Nice and dry when it is raining.)


Or perhaps I can find something in the grass. a sure sign that birds still search for natural food despite me feeding them!

A little grit we need as well.
Plus a little food from Yoke, of course.


Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus, at the kitchen window feeder.


Mr. or mrs. Robin, Erithacus rubecula

Mr. and Mrs. Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs