Bird of the day!

[Deer Stalker]

Hawfinches again. While doing some voluteer work in one of the Inclosures in the New Forest 2 males were singing & calling for most of the day.

[badgerwatcher]

My bird of the day today is a little wren. A really common bird, I know, but one I haven’t seen here in my garden before, so I’m very happy to see him. He sat in the ash tree, in the blustering wind, and pouring rain, and sang me such a pretty song as I filled the bird feeders, a song from childhood, that you don’t realize you’ve missed until you hear it!

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by badgerwatcher

My bird of the day today is a little wren. A really common bird, I know, but one I haven’t seen here in my garden before, so I’m very happy to see him. He sat in the ash tree, in the blustering wind, and pouring rain, and sang me such a pretty song as I filled the bird feeders, a song from childhood, that you don’t realize you’ve missed until you hear it!

oh do you know what, that's a species I haven't seen in my garden yet either!! Lucky you! - I suspect my hedge isn't thick enough..... perhaps I'll bulk it up a bit!

[colincurry]

This was yesterday, but I suppose it qualifies as "Bird of the Day", a day late.

I went cycling to and then walking along the Ouse Valley Way with the intention of trying for a Barn Owl elsewhere and later on as another test for my borrowed 1.4 converter. These two shots were snapshots in the truest sense. I came past a pumping station and spotted the kestrel atop the pole about 40 yards away. I managed two quick stationary snaps, and off he went - I was just able to catch him just after take off. I followed, but he was long gone. I did also see a barn owl a bit further downriver, but he was too elusive. I also took a shot of a Great Spotted Woodpecker right in the middle of thin branches that was interesting because of how it was placed.




Colin

[vinnychameleon]

Mines a goldfinch Its the first one i have seen in my garden since i moved here

[wyevilla]

After having a nijer feeder in the garden for 4 months (unsuccessfully), I decided last week that it had to go. Anyway, I decided to clean out the old, damp germinating seed, wash it out and put it away. However I then found in the back of the shed a half bag of seed that seemed to have escaped the mice. I decided to use it up. I refilled the specialised feeder and added a few leftover nijer seeds to the bird table and other seed feeders.

I raised the nijer feeder higher than before into a young beech tree and started to forget about it. Today, you guessed it, 2 Goldfinches on it this morning and one again at lunchtime. Unbelievable. Yes, my bird of the day but also a tip to all those disillusioned with the nijer feeder - keep it clean and fresh and high enough for the birds to find it!

[dav56]

Mines a barn owl which flew along side me as I drove to work early this morning
I am glad the road I was driving on was staright, with no other cars on it, as watching a barn owl flying along side you when you are half asleep is very distracting

[aeshna5]

Walking through my local park to get a bus this afternoon I had 3 species of free-flying parrot!

As I entered the park a Sparrowhawk may have gone through as pigeons, Starlings + finches were all up + then this small parrot, which from it's call I recognised as a Senegal Parrot- about a year ago a pair of these birds regularly visited my peanut feeder, so became very familiar with them. I think something happened to one of them + the other visited less frequently. I suspect this is the same bird.

We've also got a pair of Monk Parakeets which have been around for a few months (there's 2 small colonies around London) as well as the regular Ring-necked Parakeets. It will be interesting if the Monks decide to breed as they're quite lovey-dovey at the moment. Unlike other parrots they build a large twig nest. Though they come from South America, they are established in US + there's many in southern Spain- I remember John posted some fine shots of these in his Spanish travelogue.

It all felt a little surreal- it's amazing how many species of parrots seem to thrive here!

[jennyb]

Guess who visited my garden today! I was in my office working when this red kite swooped down outside my window. I grabbed my camera, rushed outside and got these pictures - not Gallery quality but my best yet.





So majestic!

Jenny

[John]

Now that's what I call a garden bird. Brilliant. I am dead envious.

Congrats on getting the photos so quickly.

John