Bird of the day!

badgerwatcher · #51 (**permalink**) 27-01-2007, 12:59 AM

Ah, Graham! He looks really fed up that you've got him at last. He was obviously enjoying the game!

My bird today was a beautiful song thrush, who sat on the bush outside my study and sang to me, and then sat on the edge of the new birdbath, and had a drink while watching me through the window. So pretty, and new looking.

Mandy · #52 (**permalink**) 27-01-2007, 01:10 AM

My birds of the day were siskins, another first for me, about 20 or so seen over a couple of hours.

badgerwatcher · #53 (**permalink**) 27-01-2007, 01:20 AM

That's lovely Mandy.Do they eat alder seeds? I've never seen a siskin to my knowledge.

Mandy · #54 (**permalink**) 27-01-2007, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgerwatcher

That's lovely Mandy.Do they eat alder seeds? I've never seen a siskin to my knowledge.

Hi yes they seem to enjoy them! I was aware that they are often seen with Redpolls and Goldfinches in alder trees, I saw redpolls and goldies the other day on the trees so went back today and was delighted to see the Siskins - beautiful little birds and really quite vocal

Mandy

badgerwatcher · #55 (**permalink**) 27-01-2007, 12:07 PM

Oh, that's great, Mandy. I'll get myself an alder tree. They are lovely trees altogether, aren't they, with their 'mock' catkins and 'mock' cones. I love their silhouette against the dusk sky.

Garden Carpet · #56 (**permalink**) 27-01-2007, 01:08 PM

I cant make up my mind on this today.. it could be the female Sparrow Hawk sitting on a post at the side of the road... or it could be the wren which appeared right infront of me while I was doing the garden bird count. Either one is special.
jaki

wyevilla · #57 (**permalink**) 27-01-2007, 03:17 PM

Mine is the Male blackcap pulling off ripe ivy berries (black) and swallowing them hole. Shame he didn't turn up in during the RSPB hour. Typical!

aeshna5 · #58 (**permalink**) 27-01-2007, 04:16 PM

My bird of the day is also a Blackcap- a female in a shrub by one of the glasshouses at Kew Gardens, my first of the year.

Runners up at same place was the flock of 60+ Redwing feeding on berries (seen so few this winter it was good to connect with a good flock again) + the 10 Golden Pheasants that were chasing each other + displaying in the wood.

badgerwatcher · #59 (**permalink**) 27-01-2007, 06:26 PM

That would be a great day for most of us, Aeshna 5!

I've seen no redwings this year!

colincurry · #60 (**permalink**) 27-01-2007, 08:00 PM

I went for walk near the village this afternoon as the sun was out and supposed to stay that way. Just as I got my camera out, the sun went in and refused to come out to play. I was looking for a barn owl and decided to persevere. I am so glad that I did. One shot across the farm road in front of me and I managed to get a couple of snaps. He then disappeared up the road, and I followed. When I came round the bend (literally and metaphorically), I saw two barn owls, one of which came towards me patrolling the ditch alongside the road. I took several pics and the sound of the shutter finally caused him to veer away.

I also saw a mistle thrush, herds of yellowhammers and some corn buntings - but there was only one bird of the day. I would hope to post a couple of the pics in the Gallery, but haven't had time to look at them on the PC.

Colin