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

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.

Dunmanus Catch

Herring Gull, Larus argentatus .

And down the throat it went.

Full stomach, no wonder it likes to pose now!

At the pier in the Durrus estuary Frouke, my cousin from The Hague, and I spotted this Gull foraging in the mud, taking advantage of the rich pickings at low tide. Jean, my homehelp, asked how long I'd been sitting there to take the picture of said Gull with its crustation. I started shooting as soon as I'd seen its head down in the mud. Lucky it came out so well.
This Swan was relaxing in the Sun. Again, no sign of any offspring.

Mute Swan, Cygnus olor

Blackcaps, Sylvia atriciapilla.

Blackcap, Sylvia atriciapilla


male
We have 4 male Blackcaps in the garden at the moment. Although originally classified as a migrant bird, there is a small population of Blackcaps which are now resident in the SW of Ireland.
During the cold winter 2009/2010 we had a female visiting the birdtable. She was a very feisty lady and even the House Sparrows and Chaffinches were put in their place whenever they came too close to where she was feeding on the seed and home made peanutcake. The first male which appeared us was a very shy character however and very polite too, whenever other hungry species would come close.
This all changed when another three Blackcaps (all males) made this garden their local diner.
female, March 2010.






Blackcap and Greenfinch.

The Blackcap is feeding on one of the many peanutcake pots and trays, while the Greenfinch prefers the mixed seeds.

I really hope that there is one or more female Blackcaps around as I'd love to see them breed in my area.
One of my 4 males should be able to sire offspring, don't you think?

It is weird that their total keeps growing now that the worst of this early winter cold weather has past. Wonder where they had been hanging around? And will I get any more? If so, can I have a female perhaps?

Mind you, they make great subjects for photos, I think.

Although many of the heavier birds try to steal nuts from the feeder, the Blackcap is the only one which is able to cling on and feed on the peanuts inside the feeder.
Blackcap and Siskin.