Five from the garden today

[Ollie]

Hi all.

What with the poor weather we have had in Lincolnshire lately and work commitments I haven't been able to get out recently.

Day off today and my shutter finger was getting very itchy so despite it being dull with patchy rain at times I set up today to get a few garden birds as they came to the feeders.

Results below, I hope you enjoy them.

First a Goldfinch, one of my regular visitors with up to twenty at a time. Not often I look out and can't see a Goldfinch


Secondly a Blue Tit, another very regular visitor


Third a Greenfinch. Not as numerous as the Goldfinches but I get around five or six at a time.


Fourth a House Sparrow, another regular visitor with a flock of thirty upwards in the garden most of the time.


Lastly and the one I'm always pleased to see a Tree Sparrow. Not a regular daily visitor but a couple usually turn up once or twice a week

[big bill]

Great set of pics Roger well done ,know how you feel regarding getting out same up here weather not very accommadating confined to garden.
Your pics are so clear and vibrant well done hard to pic a favourite but I think I`m with you on the tree sparrow then the goldfinch,
I have been lucky this year for the first time have two visiting off and on during the day along with three siskins now started with two now have three then the usual visitors to the feeding station.

[Pete Collins]

Nice set of shots Roger. You are very lucky to get Tree Sparrows, I've only ever seen them at the RSPB's reserve at the Ouse Washes.

[squishy]

that tree sparrow is a really great capture

submit them to the Gallery! they are all beautifully sharp and clear

[ellen h]

Lovely shots one and all,but have to admit I like the tree sparrow!
ellen

[Pam_M]

Splendid photo's, Roger! You are very lucky getting those 5 species in your garden!

The only regular I have in my garden out of your 5 is the Blue Tit. As lovely as the Blue Tits are I would love to see the House Sparrows back and I have only ever had a Tree Sparrow once or twice in the garden! Sad to see the Sparrows decline, well in my area they have!

Thanks for sharing your delightful garden visitors!

[Flywaver]

Why are Tree Sparrows in decline in the UK? I often feed them when i am at my inlaws in Lithuania. Really love watching Swallows fly fast and low catching insects over the garden too which is not something i see so much here.

[Ollie]

Many thanks for the comments everyone.

Flywaver in response to why Tree Sparrows are in decline in the UK. there are several reasons including the following. Loss of habitat particularly nesting places.

More crops are now sown in the autumn rather than spring which has led to the loss of stubble fields during the winter that the Tree Sparrows would feed on.

I'm sure there are other factors as well but saying that we have a pretty healthy population of them in my local area as we have a lot of open farmland and grass meadows that provide grass seeds etc that they feed on.

[colincurry]

As ever, very nice shots, Roger.

I too have only seen a tree sparrow at Ouse Washes. We rarely see house sparrows at home despite putting out feed for them; but they are very evident in other parts of the village where there are high and large long established hedges and ivy for nesting.

I too like to snap birds in the garden especially when stir crazy.

I am looking out for a suitable yellowhammer for you!

Colin

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by colincurry

As ever, very nice shots, Roger.

I too have only seen a tree sparrow at Ouse Washes. We rarely see house sparrows at home despite putting out feed for them; but they are very evident in other parts of the village where there are high and large long established hedges and ivy for nesting.

I too like to snap birds in the garden especially when stir crazy.

I am looking out for a suitable yellowhammer for you!

Colin

Thanks Colin.

The main area in my village where the Tree Sparrows are most numerous has a small Spinney of trees that are covered in Ivy very nearly to the top and I'm almost sure that this is where they nest. We also have large well established hedges that the House sparrows use

I'm pretty sure that Tree Sparrows are hole nesting birds and are using the Ivy as substitute for holes as it's pretty thick on these trees and would make ideal nesting spots I would think.

I await your yellowhammer