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.

youngsters and feeders

After the demise of the Fennel and her planter, the Fatsia underwent a hard time during the winter, providing the birds with a birdtable in her tub. The Fatsia is flourishing again, now that the birds are leaving her alone.
I had been sourcing the web for a new window feeder, but in the end I got this one for just 3.30 euro via Kleeneze.
I had to remove the round peanutfeeder, once I discovered that the birds were able to take out whole peanuts through the wider openings in the mesh. As spring and summer were approaching, young birds could easily choke on those whole nuts. So the seed feeder in the front has now moved back onto the shed and my trusty old peanutfeeder has been reinstalled again in the front.

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus

This youngster has been dubbed Francy, named after my dear, and late husband, Francis. He would have loved this little one.

Robin, Erithacus rubecula.

This Robin chick appeared one day in the garden when I was outside and had no fear of me, nor my wheels. He was sitting on top of the wall, calling for mum and dad, while I was just a metre or so away. Even the lifting of the camera or the shutter noise did not scare it off, to my surprise! Mind you, it was very windy.



Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto

The pair of Collared Doves have now increased into a trio of Doves.

Dunnock, Prunella modularis

Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus

Jackdaw, Corvus monedula
Strangely enough, we don't have any young Jackdaws yet. I love their fluffers, and to follow the changes in their eye colour, their plumage and to see the characters develop, so hopefully they will still manage to surprise me with one of those lovely brown fledglings.

Female Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs



Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis


Siskin, Carduelis spinus
Waiting for its turn on the feeder in the front garden.
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus


There are quite a number of House Sparrows hobbling about here too.

Dunnock, Prunella modelaris


This pair has been visiting the garden. A few weeks ago, we still had 3 of these lovely little birds. I hope it is around here still.

Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto
They have been about the garden all winter and now into spring. This pair is hard to photograph, as they seem more itchy and easy to disturb, than any of the Corvids,
like this Rook, Corvus frugilegus

The Coal Tits keep themself busy with fighting and scaring their reflection in the windows.



The Starlings have discovered that they can feed from this feeder, and often try to do so. The Jackdaws have started using the round feeder at the side of the house. Nicking peanuts out of the feeder whole.


Male Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs

During the winter it looked as if all Chaffinches from all over the village area were descending onto our food, and most of those have stayed put.

Since I haven't any help to put out food onto the shelving on the wall (which served as birdtable during the winter, thanks to Francis, despite the fact that he was very ill already) I have no other choice than scattering it onto the path in the garden, and onto the soil. The disadvantage is that I am now unable to see them from my window. These pictures were taking with the kitchen door open.


The antics of my birds make me smile these days, but inside I cannot help thinking how Francis would have loved to see those moments. Especially in the last weeks, he would hold onto the back of my wheels, to help him stand and watch out of the window, his eyes following the many birds scattering about the garden while his face was showing the pain and agony he was suffering from. Such a pity that the window was way to high to see the birds from a chair.
It is just too difficult thinking of new life this spring while I have just lost such an important person in my life.

And although my application for a PA, as in help, during the day will be reviewed monthly, I don't think I will get one allocated. The application has been denied once, so why would they think different the next time? I'm really fed up with everything, and even finding enough enthusiasm for my photography is difficult at times. With spring and summer coming, this worries me a great deal.

Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
This Wren, I see often in a flash, and it is always on the lookout for some juicy invertebrate larvae. A nice grub wriggling about between the wall and this shelf perhaps? Of course I was just too late when it flew off.

Just a few garden birds..

Hooded Crows, Corvus cornix The Irish Grey Crow against a very grey sky!


I spent a lovely few days in respite again, and at halloween Francis and I will celebrate our 30th anniversary with a weekend in Bantry. (Lack of accessible Transport, and my chronic pains during transport means that we are very much restricted to Bantry)


These Chaffs were singing loudly, outside my door, when I was in respite.
male Chaffinch, in a garden in Bantry.



And the female..


As was the Robin, Erathicus rubecula
and
the Great Tit, Parus major


Then returning home, more Chaffinches catch my eye.










Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba
Immature bird I think, there is still bits of yellow around the head.
You can see this better in this photo of the Wagger




Jackdaw, Corvus monedula
Behind the bird and the fence, you can still see the red haws in the Hawthorn behind us.



Yesterday when I went out into the garden for a break, the sky was very grey, but a rainbow tried livening it up visually, while these two Corvids made a similar attempt, albeit vocally.




Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto
One of the Doves has been checking out the garden again, after they have been out in the fields to breed. I was happy to see him/her back, but I was not allowed a picture. So