Just had to sneak in an unplanned post. A new (to our garden) bird visited our bird table today. Really exciting - we've been sitting trying to get a good photo through the window. Leaded windows just don't help! Here's my best ( well in fact only) shot.
It's a female blackcap.
A record of the types of birds that we have spotted in the garden is kept on this page. This is our 26th species (33 if you count ones that we haven't managed to get a photo of and the swallows on the telephone wires outside of our bedroom window and that's not counting gulls and rooks etc that circle overhead) but I often wonder if we have missed anything by not looking out at the right time.
I bet everything will disappear for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch on 25 and 26 January. If you haven't registered to join in you can click here to do so. You'll get a £5 voucher to spend at an RSPB shop or online just for registering.
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Exciting! And you managed a pretty good photo in the end.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, mark it was the one and only photo that I took!
DeleteLovely photo, I'm hoping the little wren I have spotted turns up when I am doing my watch.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to see our regular visitors when Birdwatch is on, Jo
DeleteWonderful, I'll be showing your photo to my eldest later - I'll see if he can identify it. He'll no doubt be doing the Big Garden Birdwatch. Like you say, the birds will no doubt be hiding then.
ReplyDeleteLet me know how he does, CJ
DeleteHe got it, although he didn't say female. We got our bird watch leaflet today, so we're all set.
DeleteExcellent - it's good to know some young people are taking an interest. in wildlife.
DeleteWhat a stunning wee visitor....how fantastic to have it in the garden, but then given the feasts available I'm not surprised.xxx
ReplyDeleteI think they usually head further south, Snowbird so maybe the mild weather has encouraged it to stick around.
DeleteHow lovely to have a new visitor. I just wish the long tailed tits that visit a neighbour's garden would venture over the fence but they never do!
ReplyDeleteI hope it becomes a regular for you Sue.
We get long tailed tits on and off, Angie. They seem to prefer hanging from fat feeders either the fat balls or the coconut halves filled with fat cat mix. They will go on the peanuts too as a second choice.
DeleteFat cake not cat - can't see them being attracted to a far cat!
DeleteCongratulations Sue! I bet you are both thrilled :-)
ReplyDeleteIt has been the first week in January that we have seen Blackcaps pass through our garden - although not every year. It has been a few years now since we've seen them - although that doesn't mean they haven't been of course.
It was suggested to me by a bird group after our first blackcap sighting back in 2007 that they were likely to be en route from Scandinavia to Germany. It was a hanging fatcake that caught their attention at my feeders and when there was heavy snow one year - apples on the ground.
An interesting observation for you to look out for if your new visitor stays a few days/a week - I noticed that only very occasionally did the male and female feed in the garden at the same time. They seem to be fairly solitary in any garden sightings we have had. The male is a bit of a bossy boots too if you get one visiting - he chased off a lot of the regulars at the feeders. Lovely to see him though :-)
Fingers crossed you get more garden sightings and the chance for more photos and video too :-D
It would be good to spot a male too, Shirl. I was saying to Martyn that I wonder what type pf bird visits that we miss altogether. It seems a strange journey to come from Scandinavia to Germany via the UK doesn't it? She did stay around all day and into the evening so we will be looking out for her today.
DeleteWhat I meant to Sue is, a male might be around your garden too :-D
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting idea to keep a list of the birds who visit your garden, especially with pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt's our version of hunting trophies, Alain. We stalk using a camera.
DeleteOh that's lovely, fantastic shot!
ReplyDeleteAnd a very lucky one too Jessica
DeleteLooks a cute little creature.
ReplyDeleteIt was Endah
DeleteWhat a lovely little visitor.. glad you managed to get a photo. Looking forward to doing the birdwatch next weekend :o)
ReplyDeleteShe was back again yesterday (Friday) Julie.
DeleteOh that is good.. lets hope she is a frequent visitor, with hopefully a mate in tow :o)
DeleteIt's a great shot though Sue...lovely to see a new visitor.
ReplyDeleteShe stayed a couple of days, Tanya and then disappeared.
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