My Garden 2019

Being a published writer that wouldn't be a problem.

Cheers

John

Sounds like you’ve already widened our knowledge on the species. Perhaps the RSPB should appoint you as their official brambling expert. Then you could update the research - something which clearly needs to be done.

At least the male has two females to choose from. Don't really know much about them to be honest, so will have to swot up. Reading my RSPB guide to Wildlife, they should be on the move this month but some stay behind to breed but mainly in Scotland. It also says they tend to feed on the ground which they did when they first arrived, but on finding the feeders they feed from them every day. It also says that this bird is difficult to attract to gardens ( not mine though) it still says it prefers to feed on the ground, not here it doesn't, it fights its way to the feeders with the other finches etc and wins, so this guide of the RSPB needs editing next time it's reprinted!

Got to admit that the past few days I'm finding it more difficult in locating the birds, today I could only find one female until 16:00 then spotted the male.

Cheers

John

The trick, now, is to coax the bramblings into over-summering/breeding in your garden, thereby creating a bit of ornithological history. Go for it, John - you can do it!

Blimey the Bramblings are still here and today it's 45 days without a break!

March 11th: Brambling - 2f 1m . At 17:00 a Song Thrush arrived got pics and video, it had a wander round and then had a bath went in conifer and never saw it again, they don't come often, also a single LT Tit and usual gang.
March 12th: Brambling - 2f 1m. Noticed a pile of C Dove feathers end of garden, that means the female Sprawk had been for lunch.
March 13th: Brambling - 1m 1f , LT Tit/Blue/Great Tits - two of each . Spotted female Sprawk land in conifer.
March 14th: Brambling - 1m 2f, LT Tit - 2.
March 15th: Brambling - 1m 2f.
March 16th: Brambling - 2f and LT Tit - 2. The Brambles took some finding today, didn't spot them till 15:00 crossed mind that they had gone, but thankfully not.

Each day all the usual gang here but since the strong winds the numbers have reduced a little but still getting upwards of 80+ birds, but the spuggies are still 30 - 40 strong.

Thanks

John

PS: Just read an email from GBW, it didn't tell anything I didn't know already. I asked why the Brambling were staying so long and is it unusual. The GBW said if food is in short supply nearby where they would normally go, that is why they are coming to me, with no mention of how long they have been here, to be honest i am disappointed with their reply. I have read the Summer 2018 edition of Bird Table for the GBW results for the corresponding period of now January - March, and it says the percentage of gardens having Brambling was 4%, I don't need to be a mathematician to work out this bird isn't common in gardens, so I will assume that the length of time "my" Bramblings have been here is unusual, unless those among you can prove differently!

Thanks , John, for that good information.