Birds and their feeders

They have all gone! In line with the recommendation from the RSPB we have discontinued our feeders just outside the kitchen window – at least for the summer.

I gather there is a spread of something nasty among the birds because the feeders are not being cleaned properly. There also seems to be a move to encourage birds to forage in the open for food during the summer months when there is a natural supply of grub available for them.

So for the time being no peanuts, black sunflower seed or fat balls.

Maybe if we get a really cold spell during winter we shall start again but we will do so with entirely fresh feeders and new supplies of seeds etc.

What you are seeing is a collection of shots that have been taken during Spring and up to a few weeks ago. Like everyone else we have been seeing lots of blue tits and it is possible that at least one of our nest boxes became a home for a brood. We also suspect that a family of long-tailed tits have been nesting very close by .

Unusually goldfinches are rare at our location. Many of my friends say they see lots of them but we don’t and a visit from a young woodpecker happens very rarely. Mind you when one does appear, he stays for a very long time – eating all the time. In the end I feel he drops off the perch rather than flies away.

So for the moment it is goodbye to our regular visitors. We listen for them and have learnt to identify some by their songs. Most exciting is the sound of the greenfinch whose screech is unmistakable. I keep looking for the bird but with no grub to attract him (or her) I am not sure there is much chance of a photo.

I’ll tell you if one appears.