Forum Topic

birds in gardens

I think, but can't remember for sure, that it was John Calloway who bemoaned the lack of a variety of birds apart from 'pesky paraqueets and pigeons'. I am 100% fortunate.  I have been visited on my bird feeder on a few occasions recently, by both a green woodpecker, which although I had heard I'd never ever seen before, and the more rare, lesser spotted woodpecker.  Absolute joy.

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2760d15 Comments

Barbara, lucky you!  I get the occasional goldfinch but see too many noisy parakeets and fat pigeons.  I have finally put the bird feeder out of the reach of even the wiliest squirrel but the parakeets do scare other birds off.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2759d

There used to be peregrine falcons who returned year after year to nest on Charing Cross Hospital.  They did feed on parakeets as well as pigeons.  I don't know what else.  You could watch them on webcam.  Fascinating.A friend who spends a lot of time at Barnes Wetlands Centre has been telling us about a lack of insects and fewer birds.  Birds and insects like greenery - the real stuff like hedges, trees, shrubs and grass. Our lifestyles are causing us to try and make things easy for ourselves but too many patios, plastic lawns and decking seem to be causing other problems.  As does the blanket mechanical trimming of shrubs to a computer programme at the wrong time of year not allowing shrubs to flower.  The seasons aren't quite the same year on year.  Plants don't all like being pruned at the same time either!  A friend kept complaining that his camellia didn't flower... Yes, you guessed it - his "autumn tidy up" included cutting back the camellia - and all the buds off which would have flowered the following spring!

Philippa Bond ● 2759d

We have a tiny patio (no garden with lawn at all) at home but it is full of potted plants (including miniature fruit trees!)We have put bird feed and a bird bath out and lots of birds (mainly blue tits, swallows and occasional robins as well as magpies) come to them which is lovely to see.Lately two fat pigeons have flown in as well as a parakeet (to my surprise!).  Should I discourage the parakeets and pigeons?

Ivonne Holliday ● 2759d

You're making an effort and they're all enjoyable up to a point!  The parakeets like bird feeders and apparently deter other smaller birds from them.  I've never had them visit probably because I gave up the bird feeders after the battles with the squirrels.Since the loss of a large poplar next door that was the epitomy of the most wonderful wildlife world that you could spend hours watching while gazing out the window there have been many fewer birds in the garden.  Its tall branches stretched up the sky and the leaves shimmered in the sunlight as they moved with birds darting in and out.I haven't seen any goldfinches this year yet  - I understand that some migrate and some overwinter here.I

Philippa Bond ● 2759d

Woodpeckers are delightful to see and they make short work of the nut-feeders! Unfortunately, in their search for bugs, they strip the bark of mature trees although repositioning the feeders has solved that issue.

Tim Warren ● 2759d

Many many years ago I stood looking out the kitchen window at this group of large birds I didn't recognise walking a bit like ducks underneath a plum tree wondering what on earth they were.  As soon as one flew up onto the trunk of the tree I realised!  Young green woodpeckers.I've never seen any in London.  I'm jealous!

Philippa Bond ● 2759d

my most unusual sighting was a few years ago when a female pheasant spent over 3 hours grazing on my lawn, it must have been a long way from home.

Adam Tripp ● 2759d

I saw a woodcock in a Battersea front garden years ago, and more recently a flock of yellow crested birds appeared in tree outside my house. Never managed to identify them.Last summer I saw a hummingbird in my garden but looking closer it was a hummingbird hawk moth. Freaky thing.

Peter Miles ● 2759d

Goldcrests or firecrests?Have you ever found one of those enormous caterpillars that turns into a  hawkmoth?

Philippa Bond ● 2758d

I get goldfinches, such a delight.  They come in at least pairs and sometimes up to 6 of them.  They love niger seed, so if I put out some, they come in a flash and if I don't put it out, they don't come. They have a lovely conversation between themselves as well.  I also see elusive wrens though not often enough in the hedges.

Lalage Percival ● 2756d

Yes Goldfinches are lovely I get them as well, I must be lucky we also have Jay's now and again and red dotted woodpecker. Loads of sparrows and tit's.

Barbara Stevens ● 2755d

I too love the goldfinches.  Despite their name it is that wonderful red colour above their beaks which I find most noticeable.  I do hope they'll come back now that the Lombardy poplar and the cats next door have gone. They came to my garden for the water in a bowl on top of the garden table.

Philippa Bond ● 2755d

I love the Parakeets in my garden, the different species seem to take their turn, the smaller ones dash in and out.I have Jackdaws, Parakeets, Blue & Great & Coal Tits on the feeders & occasionally groups of Long-Tailed Tits. I hear Woodpeckers in the surrounding taller trees and hear lots of Goldfinches with the occasional one coming to the garden. Magpie and Jays sometimes visit as did a Blackcap a few Winters ago. The Robin and Blackbirds stay later than the other birds in the evening so I try to give them extra food. I do hear a Wren but rarely see it. I do get too many Feral Pigeons though

Sarah Stevenson ● 2749d

Almost word for word I could have written that post!I have got a young squirrel as well.  All the birds eat whilst he is on the feeder too.  No animosity at all.  Very pretty squirrel.  More red than usual

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2749d

I messed up the birthday present order for a young niece oflive mealworms.  They arrived at my home instead of hers.  So I've been putting out live mealworms for the birds.  In the past I've found that the robins loved them but this time it is a pair of great tits who fly in for them.  At first they swooped in and took off with them some distance. They have now taken to picking one up swiftly and flying onto a nearby shrub branch where it is stepped on and eaten. They are such smartly dressed birds in their black hats and waistcoasts.

Philippa Bond ● 2724d