Bird of the day!

[Rebus]

My bird of the day is the redpoll. We were amazed to see two yesterday on the nyger feeder with the goldfinches. Word must have spread because today there were six on the feeder! Never seen them before so am quite 'chuffed'.

[Pete Collins]

Can I be greedy and have two birds of the day (neither are very special!) ?

First was a small flock of yellowhammers - I was a bit surprised, I'd forgotten that they flocked in winter. They were by a hedgerow near Totternhoe, Beds., and a little further along the hedgerow I came across some Reed Buntings, not something I see too often in these parts (though I know they are not restricted to reed beds!).

[Phoebe]

My bird(s) of the day yesterday were two male Blackbirds, they were fighting and squabbling with each other for at least 10 minutes. Beaks locked together and tussling about on the grass... eventually they let go and were chasing each other around!! I have never seen Blackbirds doing this before and I don't know what the squabble was over! Then looking at another part of my garden I saw a Sparrowhawk swoop into the hedge!

[rossbristol]

my birds of the day has to be the flock of goldfinches up in a tree a couple of gardens from mine, 1st time iv seen then near my garden so was very happy. Im upset though because iv been using Niger seeeders but none of it has been touched for a week, any soloutions?

[Steve_In_Cheshire]

Originally Posted by Phoebe

My bird(s) of the day yesterday were two male Blackbirds, they were fighting and squabbling with each other for at least 10 minutes. Beaks locked together and tussling about on the grass... eventually they let go and were chasing each other around!! I have never seen Blackbirds doing this before and I don't know what the squabble was over! Then looking at another part of my garden I saw a Sparrowhawk swoop into the hedge!

It will have been a battle for territory, i have read that blackbirds are very territorial birds. We have approx 6 blackbirds that are in our garden almost every day, 5 males and one female and one of the males has become the dominant one and he chases all the others around the garden. Even if he is eating an apple or some sultanas and another blackbird lands in the garden he will be after it, he has this new tactic where he sits in a bush about 3ft off the ground watching over his territory, other blackbirds think its safe with no other birds about so they land full of confidence only for him to jump out of his bush and chase em off

I think i read its something to do with mating where a male will defend somewhere that has good food sources so he can try and woo a female blackbird and say "Hey look at my lovely garden with all this food that i will share with you" or something along them lines

[Noddy]

'Our' flock of long-tailed Tits have been back the last few days, we counted 14 of them today, eating berries from the bushes and hanging off the fat balls.

We thought they'd gone as we had not seen them for a few weeeks, but very pleased they are back, full of character those little fellahs.

[ChrisJB]

Buzzard. One was soaring over the old quarry at the back of our house. Not a common bird where I live. I almost dropped the turkey.

Christmas regards, Chris

[leifus]

a kestrel that landed in a tree in the garden

[galanthus]

The usual dozen or so long-tailed tits who arrived just in time for our xmas breakfast. Tho after a few flutes of bucks fizz I'm sure there were 40 lol

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Originally Posted by galanthus

The usual dozen or so long-tailed tits who arrived just in time for our xmas breakfast. Tho after a few flutes of bucks fizz I'm sure there were 40 lol

We had long tail tits yesterday in the garden as well, we'd just sat down for dinner and they came and joined us. First time they've been for weeks, it made our Christmas.

Great little birds.

BWD