My Scunthorpe Garden 2022

My old birding mate text last week saying he hadn't seen any Blackbirds in weeks and asked if I had. I said no I haven't seen any for at least three weeks and no Starlings either.  Normally by now both of them would have stripped the rowan, five cherry trees and three hawthorn trees bare!  But last year was same as this year the blackbirds and starlings did get some but large part just rotted. Last year a couple of wood pigeons ate some but this year they have gone bonkers. I watched the juvenile squab last week and it ate at least a dozen berries in a couple of mins with one parent top of tree keeping eye out for danger (Mrs Sprawk).

Only time I have had Fieldfare was 2010 and a few years ago, one each time. Never had Redwing or Waxwing but I live in hope.

The woodies are feeding on the cherry fruit first then the hawthorn.  When the fruit appeared I spotted a blue tit hanging upside down getting a berry or two. 

It's a wonder the damn squirrel isn't snacking on the berries, but since I blasted it with water pistol weeks ago not seen it.

Max 

Have woodpigeons always been hawthorn berry feeders or is this a fairly recent adaptation?

I can't remember.

Like you, Max, I sometime worry if, because they are so plentiful,  they might be putting a food squeeze on other birds - emptying the larder before the redwings/fieldfares /waxwings arrive.

Oct 19th: Wood Pigeon - 6 adult + 1 juvenile gorging on hawthorn berries, Blue & Coal Tit.
Oct 21st:  Coal Tit, Blue Tit & 2 Great Tit.
Oct 23rd/24th: Coal Tit.
Wood Pigeons here every day gorging on berries be it hawthorn, rowan or cherries (please leave some in case the Waxwing put in an appearance) 

Max

Today for first time ever while have been feeding birds in 25 years saw a Dunnock come to the sunflower heart feeder several times, it was either singing or muttering to itself each time it flew with seed into the hedge. Watched for years when they are picking up minute crumbs while covering garden from one side to other. Just read two guides and both say they rarely visit bird tables etc preferring to go underneath.

Reminds me of the Brambling's that came in 2019 the guides said they mostly find their food on the ground, my three obviously hadn't read the guides cos they fought tooth and nail with any birds that were on or tried to get the feeders. The guides say they visit feeding stations on reserves but not gardens. At time I contacted the BTO asking why.

Oct 1st:  Dunnock - 2 & House Sparrow - 17.
Oct 5th:  House Sparrow - 22, Feral Pigeon & a Blue Tit.
Oct 6th:  Sparrowhawk over, Wood Pigeon - 2 feasting on hawthorn berries.
Oct 8th:  noticed the birds gradually coming back, a Collared Dove today with upwards of 30 House Sparrow on five feeders back and forth in the hedge.  No sign of Blackbirds & Starlings.  The 45 at last count months ago of the feral pigeons is now down to one!! As yet no feeders gone back up in back garden!

John

It was good to see the ret urn of the House Sparrows today after a lengthy absence due to me not putting any food out due to the Squirrel wrecking the feeders, thankfully it hasn't returned and if it does it will have its own personal feeder full of its fave food  
Yesterday I put two feeders out one with fat balls and one with suet pellets (only started buying them for the hoggy but none been since the above) the birds seem to enjoy the pellets more, maybe easier to get at and eat.

The trees in back garden are loaded with berries but at present nowt is getting them, good, leave them for (fingers x-ed) the Waxwings or maybe the Redwings not sure they been here before.

Spotted a Robin and a Blue & Great Tit. 

Looking forward to the leaves falling so I can see the birds etc better at feeding stations on me patch, hoping to set up a new one at one of my site's.

Regards

Max