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Feb 2021
9:12am, 13 Feb 2021
4,262 posts
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um
One of our blackbirds has learnt to use the feeder. Lots of flapping, but he can get the seeds.
It's the first one I've seen master the frantic hover (not a graceful act) while taking food. He does spill more than he gets, much appreciated by the others.
Will try for a photo - if it's a rarity? Or do they all do it when hungry enough?
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Feb 2021
9:24am, 13 Feb 2021
2,502 posts
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flyingfinn
I've had one of mine doing the same in the last few days Um. Not very elegant or controlled but it seems to get some food. I've started putting food on the ground for the Blackbirds in the last few days and I've gone from usually having one pair to having three pairs. One of the females (I think my usual one) doesn't like sharing though and is constantly trying to chase the others away. Which seems to have led to one of the males resorting to trying to use the feeders.
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Feb 2021
5:26pm, 13 Feb 2021
18,641 posts
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Chrisity
A garden first for me, Redwing.
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Feb 2021
7:04pm, 13 Feb 2021
3,405 posts
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J2R
Lovely, Chrisity! Great bird to get in the garden. Bad weather drives them in from the fields.
'My' fieldfare was back today on the crab apple. Can't believe his luck, a whole bush worth of yummy fruit that no other bird is eating. And out in the snowy fields on a run this morning, lots of fieldfare and redwings, lit up by the snow again.
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Feb 2021
1:18pm, 14 Feb 2021
4,396 posts
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steve45
Great Garden list J2R; Red Legged Partridge is amazing and one I'll never get; just checked back on my list of flyovers (page 1827) and noticed that I missed out Swift of all things!
Superb to get your Goldcrest Scribbler and a wonderful photo too.
That Redwing is well camouflaged Chrisity.
No sign of Fieldfares (still) for even or even Redwings.
My regular garden Coal Tits have disappeared over the last ten days, hope the severe weather hasn't been too much for them.
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Feb 2021
1:44pm, 14 Feb 2021
12,066 posts
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D2
I have a male blackbird standing guard over a growing mole hill on my front lawn, he is seeing off even the dunnocks who would like to check it out for anything edible! Very amusing to watch.
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Feb 2021
2:23pm, 14 Feb 2021
2,073 posts
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Surelynot
Run and woodland walk had highlights of single red kites and a nuthatch. There was also a very handsome great tit singing for all its worth on top of a tree.
Kites spotted for the first time in both locations and further evidence of success of the Galloway kite scheme.
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Feb 2021
3:08pm, 14 Feb 2021
1,793 posts
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bonners
We've got a Robin that has figured out the feeders this year.
Great seafront walk with the tide right up. Lots of sanderling and turnstones.
Highlight was a snow bunting just before we turned off. Seemed quite happy despite people on the beach, so well camouflaged though. Really chuffed as they've been around all winter but thought I'd missed them as this was my first spot.
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Feb 2021
3:15pm, 14 Feb 2021
4,267 posts
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um
We also have a robin that is quite adept with the feeders as well as the blackbird.
This pic looks a lot better than reality. The wings are beating furiously. For about 10 secs max.
And re 'dominating' ?
The redpoll is back, about 2/3 the size of the goldfinches and makes them very annoyed.
He/it sits on their feeder, takes forever, and doesn't move on quickly when there's a queue.
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Feb 2021
3:51pm, 14 Feb 2021
3,407 posts
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J2R
bonners, yes, snow buntings are remarkably 'confiding', aren't they? I've been able to get right up close to them before without them seemingly being bothered in the slightest. Because of Covid regs I've not had a chance to get up to the coast to see them this winter.
um, amazing with the blackbird. We have collared doves that have mastered the same technique. I sometimes wonder whether the food value they get is worth all the energy expenditure getting it, but maybe they're just doing it for a bet. We've had redpolls in the garden the last 3 winters but I've seen none yet this winter, which is disappointing. That's a nice shot.
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Bird song watch
Jul 2024