Month: February 2013

The day became fantastically sunny in Edinburgh, Bird Guides Photo of the week.

Another busy day today, but the afternoon was glorious and sunny so I went out to cut back theĀ Buddleia in my garden, the plant recommend on the Butterfly Conservation top 100, while doing this I was treated to the wonderful chirps of the little bobbing long-tailed tits, there were 2 feeding on the fat in the RSPB half coconuts, absolutely superb birds full of character, Iā€™m pretty positive there were more near by but I didnā€™t see them, so just 2 have been added today:

  1. Blackbird x 1
  2. Blue Tit x 3
  3. Coal Tit x 1
  4. Dunnock x 4
  5. Long-tailed tit x 2
  6. Magpie x 1
  7. Woodpigeon x 2

Terrible list for today!

I was glad to see 6 starlings at the end of today as thereā€™d only been 2 woodpigeons earlier, the day was hectic again, my carpal tunnel is getting better and Iā€™ve started working on the Australian version of finance site Saver Scene ā€“ Saver Scene Australia (now closed as I move into gardening as a profession) again as Iā€™d taken a lot of time off to try and get my hands to heal. As well as the workmen still putting in the new central heating system so no access to the back garden again and only looked out the front and had 2 sightings. there were gulls high up and I couldnā€™t identify them, so this is it for today:

  1. Starlings x 6 ā€“ flying over their roost in the beautiful sunset.
  2. Woodpigeon x 2 ā€“ they were really into spring activity!

Front garden bird watching today, plus more wildlife gardening tips.

The fog has gottenĀ incrediblyĀ thick here in Edinburgh tonight, whoā€™s bright idea was it to get the central heating replaced in February? Ā Oh thatā€™s right mine! Ā Itā€™s freezing! Ā Due to works going on in all the back rooms today I didnā€™t really get a chance to see the back garden and instead had to watch a small part of hedge in the front and got one good surprise hereā€™s what I was lucky enough to see:

  1. Blackbird x 2
  2. Carrion crow x 1 ā€“ fly over
  3. Dunnock x 1
  4. Grey Heron x 1 ā€“ fly over
  5. Woodpigeon x 2

I donā€™t think Iā€™ve used this photo on here, but one of my regular carrion crows that flies over the garden:

Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Yesterday I posted up about wildlife gardening and wanted to mention another great post that gives good information about planting not only nectar rich flowers and plants for adult butterflies but also adding plants for caterpillars:Ā Gardening for butterflies ā€“ adults v caterpillars | Butterflies and Gardens

Starlings zigged & zagged through the sky, garden bird list.

Iā€™ve had a very busy day today, weā€™re getting a new central heating system put in and itā€™s been a bit hectic, I did have time to do Monday updates on ISA, Savings and Credit CardsĀ and to put together the list of 100 best plants for attracting wildlifeĀ to your garden. Ā I also manage to get out and see a few birds in or over the garden, including 13 starlings that I got to watch for about 10 minutes as they zigged and zaggedĀ Ā through the sky, diving in close and checking their roosting place then flicking back into the sky high over the roost, watching it from every angle, amazing to watch, I hope to one day see one of the huge murmurationsĀ as seen in Wexford.

Hereā€™s the list of the birds I did have theĀ fortuneĀ to see today:

  1. Blackbird x 1
  2. Blue Tit x 1
  3. Carrion crow x 3 fly overs
  4. Chaffinch x 1
  5. Dunnock x 1
  6. Magpie x 2 fly overs
  7. Starlings x 13
  8. Woodpigeon x 5

Watched the Rugby, more DIY and few birds about.

What a wonderful day for Scottish Rugby! Ā Today started with snow, a lot of snow but a few hours later there was almost none lying, by the end of the day it was just a boggy mess. Ā I would have expected a lot more birds around however thereā€™s also a lot of insects about so the birds arenā€™t needing the feeders as much as a few weeks ago. Ā Itā€™s amazing how many moths are about, talking to others theyā€™ve had almost none but Iā€™m having to remove and release up to 5 a day from the house, so there should be a lot more out and about. Ā Hereā€™s my list for today:

  1. Blackbird x 1
  2. Blue Tit x 2
  3. Bullfinch x 1 ā€“ female
  4. Dunnock x 1
  5. Feral Pigeon x 1
  6. Magpie x 2
  7. Woodpigeon x 4 ā€“ really showing mating behaviour today.

A day of Rugby and DIY, plus got to see a few birds.

Spent most of the day doing DIY or taking glances at the rugby, didnā€™t have a lot of time for birdwatching only when outside with the dog, that said still got a good list and it was fantastic to see a pair of long-tailed tits, I heard them long before I saw them, theyā€™ve got such a great call. Ā Hereā€™s the list for today:

  1. Blackbird x 3
  2. Blue Tit x 1
  3. Carrion crow x 22 fly overs
  4. Coal Tit x 1
  5. Dunnock x 1
  6. House Sparrow x 6
  7. Long-tailed Tits x 2
  8. Robin x 1
  9. Woodpigeon x 4

Evidence a Sparrowhawk had been and my garden bird list.

Had a lot on over the last few days and more things happening tomorrow so not a lot of time for birding :( I did however notice that thereā€™d been a Sparrowhawk in the garden, sadly due to the feathers that were left of a small song bird. Ā Hereā€™s my garden bird list for today:

  1. Blackbird x 2
  2. Blue Tit x 2
  3. Coal Tit x 1
  4. Dunnock x 1
  5. House Sparrow x 4
  6. Magpie x 2
  7. Sparrowhawk x evidence one had been
  8. Woodpigeon x 3

Garden Bird List, Scottish Birdfair 2 for 1 tickets and Wexford Starling Murmuration!

A very quiet day in the garden, a couple of magpies back and 1 female bullfinch which was a delight to see, but the weatherā€™s turned cold again and the birds are back to feeding rapidly and not showing much in the way of breeding behaviour.

If youā€™re thinking of going to the Scottish Birdfair ā€“Ā www.scottishbirdfair.org.ukĀ ā€“ thereā€™s currently an offer on until the 17th of March 2013 where you can get early bird 2 for 1 tickets! Ā You just have to use the voucher codes: Day tickets ā€“ 241RSPBDay or Weekend tickets ā€“ 241RSPBWeekendĀ Iā€™m hoping to go for the weekend this year, I enjoyed last year but only got a day ticket and went on the wet Saturday where there were 2 hour lines for food, hopefully food tents are better prepared this year!

Hereā€™s my garden bird list for today:

  1. Blackbird x 2
  2. Blue Tit x 2
  3. Bullfinch x 1 ā€“ female
  4. Coal Tit x 1
  5. Dunnock x 2
  6. Great Tit x 2
  7. House Sparrow x 3
  8. Magpie x 2
  9. Woodpigeon x 1

you may have noticed thereā€™s still no Starlings, Iā€™ve been watching the Monkey Puzzle tree opposite to see if they roost in there each evening and all Iā€™ve seen in the last few 2 days is woodpigeon and magpies, however the tree does make for a great silhouette.

Monkey Puzzle tree silhouette

Monkey Puzzle tree silhouette ā€“ you can also see the silhouette of a woodpigeon just to the left.

although Iā€™ve not seen any starlings about thereā€™s some great scenes in Wexford Ireland:

Wexford StarlingĀ Murmuration

Thanks to BirdGuides Ireland & Edward DelaneyĀ for this video.

Starlings gathering together at at roost site in one of natureā€™s most amazing spectacles, a murmuration. And what makes it even more amazing is that no-one really understands why they perform these amazing aerobatics. Enjoy!

If you want to try and see a starling murmuration yourself BBC Winterwatch have put this list together:Ā Where to experience a starling murmuration this winter.

Dunnocks really into full Spring behaviour!

The Dunnocks were really into spring mood today, lots of flitting and mating behaviour, I hope that theyā€™ll nest somewhere in the garden, obviously the new wildlife hedge: Getting ready for the RSPB hedge*.Ā which was planted in January and looks more like sticks coming out of the ground than trees, but weā€™ve got a niceĀ privetĀ hedge running the whole length of the garden and I know birds have nested there before, hope to see more! Ā Been very busy today so no new photos, but hereā€™s my garden bird list:

  1. Blackbird x 2
  2. Blue Tit x 2
  3. Carrion crow x 2
  4. Coal Tit x 1
  5. Dunnock x 4
  6. House Sparrow x 2
  7. Woodpigeon x 1

I donā€™t know where all the Magpies of the last few days have go to.

 

* Hedge plants that were added to attract garden birds:

This Bird Friendly hedge pack is a bundle of RSPB approved 50 plants.

  • 10 x Hawthorn – Crataegus monogyna – frothy white, may flowers in spring and bright red haws in autumn
  • 5 x Wild Privet – Ligustrum vulgare – white flowers, black berries
  • 5 x Hazel – Corylus avellana – catkins in February, fresh green leaves, nuts in autumn
  • 5 x Wild Damson – Prunus domestica – white blossom on black twigs
  • 5 x Guelder Rose – Viburnum opulus – lacecap flowers, redcurrant looking berries
  • 5 x Blackthorn – Prunus spinosa – fluffy white blossom, black autumn berries
  • 5 x Dog Rose – Rosa canina – single white roses, red rose hips in autumn
  • 5 x Elderflower – Sambucus nigra – lacy white flowers, maroon berries
  • 5 x Crabapple – Malus sylvestris – stunning pink blossom, crabapples in autumn.