I think our thread "Wildlife Sightings" is now full to the brim - almost 1,000 viewings and 67 postings - congratulations Crowland Wildlife Group, in addition to all those who have contributed.

As a result, I have closed that thread (like I did with the first).

Therefore, I have started a new thread called Bird Sightings. If you have any other wildlife comments, then please start a new thread with an appropriate title.

Let me kick this new thread off by reporting another sighting of the Grey Wagtail, snapped visiting our rock stream (Crowland Falls) and pond.

We had a pair visit us earlier on in the year, but this little chap is on his own. It's not a very good picture but you get the idea.



In addition:

Long Tail Tits - a group of about 10 made their way noisily around our back garden accompanied by a great tit - perhaps it thought it had a longer tail than it had previously imagined? It's probably a male!

I find the long tails very approachable - stand still and they often come within feet.

Grey Heron alert

Seen slowly flying over us very early on Friday morning on its way to Yellow Stocking by the look. Thankfully we had placed a net over our pond only a few weeks back (to catch leaves). Apparently while we were away on hols, the heron had sussed us out... but the net stopped it.

If you drive along the Spalding bypass and pull into the layby just before the Springfields roundabout you will more oftern thn not see a line of Herons sitting up against a low hedge/overgrown fence. If the field has sheep the chances are the Herons will not be there.

Whats the attraction? I first noticed them to years ago!

Our friendly Greenwoodpecker was on the back lawn again this afternoon. She hasn't been around for a while nor have her youngsters. They have perhaps grown up and moved on though.
The fish pond has been having the usual bath time visitors. The most impressive being fourteen, yes fourteen Goldfinches. My wife brought my attention to a little group of them a few days earlier. A group of nine all sitting around the edge of the bird bath in the middle of the lawn, drinking happily together.
Recently a tall hedge on a neighbouring property was removed making a number of birds move away looking for alternative protection. So I guess many of our garden viitors won't be around anymore. I do wish people would give more thought to the impact on wildlife such actions have.

pensioner wrote:
Recently a tall hedge on a neighbouring property was removed making a number of birds move away looking for alternative protection. So I guess many of our garden viitors won't be around anymore. I do wish people would give more thought to the impact on wildlife such actions have.

Lovely to hear about your Goldfinches. We see the occasional one or two but never a large group like that.

Sad as it is, people move in - wildlife (often) moves out. We've done what we can to make them feel at home, making an informal garden. It's amazing to see around here how many people cut their hedges back within an inch of destruction - then Red Mite stikes and they wonder why those damn conifers die

Bring back the hawthorn we say

On raising the kitchen blind this morning, we were greeted by the sight of Mrs Sparrowhawk in the middle of the lawn feasting on a collared dove. First she plucked it then dragged it to the shelter of the shrubs and ate, stopping only to look around for others who might wish to steal her meal. We half closed the blind so as not to disturb her. If she consumed all of this already dead bird then she would not need to hunt again for a day or so and more of the small birds would be safe. She stayed with us for over an hour and left only the feathers- there was not a piece of flesh or bone to be seen. I took a few pictures but they were not very good as I felt it was more important not to frighten her off. Nature can be cruel and wonderful and facinating all at the same time, can't it?

What an interesting event to watch. We regularly see the Sparrowhawk around and often the remains of its latest meal but never the actual scene.
Although I find the Collared doves a lovely bird to see one or two have been taken by the Sparrowhawk won't be missed. We often have large numbers patrolling the patio waiting to be fed. One even sits on the roof of the bird table near the kitchen window staring in at us until we go and put some food out. Thats what I call intimidation. It also seems to be top bird in the group pushing others away until its had its fill. However he, (I say he as I assume it is a male) allows sparrows to come and feed from the same bowl.

I just wondered if any others may have spotted similar; we had about ten or twelve blackbirds descend on us today plucking the last of the Pyrocantha berries and some of the apples still on the ground. It appears to be a group of both males and females.

I feed the garden birds regularly but during this cold spell, many more birds than usual have turned up. Yesterday I counted 24 blackbirds (four and twenty- enough for a pie?) at one time and 6 male chaffinches. There was even a thrush. Although the blackbirds tried to chase it off, it persevered because raisins were on offer. The sparrows have brought all their friends and relations so the queue on the fence for the seeds and fat has lengthened, the waiting ones getting most impatient for their turn. I empty the bird baths at dusk so they are easily refilled in the morning without having to remove the ice first. Today I had to replace the water three times as it had started to freeze. The birds seem to know what I am doing and rush down for a drink and bath before I have got my wellies off! Roll on Spring.

We are getting more than our usual visitors too. A couple of days ago I lost count at twenty Collared Doves. They seem to dominate all the other birds apart from the Sparrows for some reason. Jackdaws and Rooks have been coming onto the lawn for their share of scraps as well. We even had a brief visit from a couple of Black headed Gulls.

I hope this isn't off topic but I'm wondering if anyone has put a camera in a bird box so they can watch the activities therein on their TV? I want to do this for my Hubby for his birthday in early Feb and am looking for help and advice.