My Garden 2023

What I thought were life-size Peregrine's actually are the size of a White-tailed Sea Eagle but have been painted to look like a Peregrine LOL. Be interested to see what happens when the flock of 50+ return from having their young uns.

I think the pigeons will probably die of laughing at the life size non moving Peregrines !

As expected, the Sparrowhawk was overhead circling but it didn't land, thankfully for the wee birds. Past few weeks had virtually no Feral Pigeons, no complaints from me.

Noticed that two  different neighbours both next door but one have erected a life size Peregrine in back gardens, one has two up, wonder if they scare the pigeons away? 

July 15th:  Adult male Blackbird feeding one juv, two juv Spuggies being fed by adults, C Dove, 4 Blue Tits, loads of Spuggies and Magpie.
July 19th: A very tame juv Wood Pigeon in back garden only two feet away while I filled feeders.
July 21st: Swift - 2, Blue Tit - 3 juvs, Great Tit - 2 juvs, Common Gull.
July 23rd: A  single Blackbird  juv almost perched on my knee lol as it went past while I was weeding drive, Dunnock, Blue Tit - 6 (adult & juvs), Coal Tit juv, Great Tit - 4 (adult and juvs), the hoard of at least 30 Spuggies are getting through a pound of peanuts a week despite there being fat balls and SFH as well. Got three nut feeders up.

July 24th: Chaffinch returned,  Coal Tit again, hadn't seen any for months then see one in two days. I filled the usual fat ball feeder with four balls and as soon as I went in nine Spuggies were on it never seen that many on the small feeder, it was manic! There must have a dozen on floor getting bits, then on the two large nut feeders there was at least six on each plus a load more on floor and in the tree, there must have upwards of four dozen Spuggies plus some at back garden. It was a joy to watch!!  They don't stop for the rain be it peeing down or drizzle. 

While watching the above I have no need to go out.  Am expecting the Sparrowhawk to pop by any day.

Regards

John 
 

At 17:00 sat on back door step and watched eight Swift over back and forth hawking insects, great stuff.  I'll direct some of them east towards AH & PL houses as they are short of these birds  

The Spuggies are hammering away at the peanuts and have got three feeders up in front garden and the birds are queuing up waiting their turn, so I throw some fat balls out hoping the Feral Pigeons don't spot them and then a dozen or so Spuggies nip down to feed on them with one eye firmly on the peanuts hoping to get a nibble lol. 

Today after I came in from starting to remove forty years worth of ivy from front garden fence I heard the Blackbirds alarm call, on looking out window the local black & white moggy was under hedge waiting to pounce on the juv Blackbird, I knocked on window and it just stared at me so opened door and told it to "go away" and it did quickly followed by the pair of Blackbird adults lol.

In back garden a few Blue Tits were on the fat balls when the Spuggies let them, that's one thing which annoys me bullies of any description. A male Blackbird was enjoying a juicy pear I'd put out. Daresay they are enjoying my raspberries as well until I keep picking them. 

John

Was watching five Swift up to 21:00 last night hawking insects over house, great stuff!

This morning had 26 Jackdaw over kicking up a racket, they are the local gang, some of them started coming every day to raid the fat balls.

On garage on three juvenile Collared Dove wanting fed by adult.

All three Great Tit juvs are now feeding themselves with fat balls and black sunflower seeds and one of the adults keeps checking out the "Great Tit" box. Lots of other action as well, it's knowing if to look out front window or rear.

John