Best Winter for garden bird numbers

[Gatekeeper]

I'm certainly having my best ever garden bird numbers as a result of the continuing harsh weather. I've been putting out about 80 or so apples every other day for the large flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare that are in the area.

Highest numbers in the garden at any one time over the last week were:

98 Redwing
47 Fieldfare
23 Blackbird
4 Mistle Thrush
3 Song Thrush
29 Brambling
13 Siskin
51 Greenfinch
56 Chaffinch
87 Goldfinch
19 Collared Dove
7 Woodpigeon
3 Blackcap
72 Waxwing

The highlight were the waxwing which had been in the area for some time until the finally succumbed to my apples. I started to get ones and twos, then peaked with 72 on 21st December.

Certainly the best Winter in the garden, but I'll be glad when the thaw comes for the birds sake.

[scarymonster]

Those pictures are amazing. I've never heard of a waxwing before, they look beautiful. I've had one Redwing and one Bramling only and we do have fieldfairs in the meadow behind us (still complete snow cover so not seen them for a week) but they never seem to venture into the garden.

What part of the country are you in?

[Gatekeeper]

Hi scarymonster, I'm in North Cardiff, Wales. I've had to wait quite a bit for the Waxwings, whilst the East and North of the country has been knee-deep in them (There's a waxwing thread on WAB in the Bird Forum).

[JeffH]

Wow! Those numbers are impressive - nice pics too

As a matter of interest, have any of the Waxwings been ground feeding on the apples or are they only taking those placed in trees?

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfshers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[scarymonster]

Thanks for the info. I am on the mid Wales border so maybe I will get to see one at some stage.

[aeshna5]

Phenomenal numbers + some great photos. I'm a bit envious, but what a great service you're doing in helping these birds stay alive in the coldest December since records began (apparently!).

are you in the suburbs when you say north Cardiff?

[Gatekeeper]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Phenomenal numbers + some great photos. I'm a bit envious, but what a great service you're doing in helping these birds stay alive in the coldest December since records began (apparently!).

are you in the suburbs when you say north Cardiff?

Yes, I'm in the northern suburbs of Cardiff.

I'm putting very large quantities of food out daily, and am getting through ridiculous numbers of apples. I'm also putting out live foods (waxworms & mealworms), and a mixed, diced fruit for the thrushes. I think the word has got out as numbers are growing all the time.

[Gatekeeper]

Originally Posted by JeffH

Wow! Those numbers are impressive - nice pics too

As a matter of interest, have any of the Waxwings been ground feeding on the apples or are they only taking those placed in trees?

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfshers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

Hi Jeff, all the Waxwings have been in one of my apple trees (which has bought apples stuck on the smaller branches). There are equal numbers of apples on the ground, which are popular with all the thrushes, but not the waxwings.

[rossy]

crikey some numbers there , but keep up the good work, and nice photos , rossy.

[Gatekeeper]

Originally Posted by rossy

crikey some numbers there , but keep up the good work, and nice photos , rossy.

Cheers rossy