Whos keeping an eye on me....

Tuesday 27 December 2011

2011: A year of birds in the Garden

A total of 58 species either visited my garden or flew directly overhead. Depending on the season around 25 of these species either breed in and around my garden or are at least regular if not daily visitors. A good mixed habitat helps, along with mixed food sources.

The playground.......
The feeders are to the left under the wind swept trees. A large border surrounds the garden that is utilised by the ground feeder birds looking for worms or seed spills. The House sparrows spend most of the time in the bushes nearest to the patio on the right hand side, while the corvids keep lookout from the Oak tree at the back.

The following birds are the regular daily visitors:

The First species of 2011 was a Blackbird.... almost always the early bird in my garden.

Male


Female


juvenile


The star...... a leucistic bird


The regulars that always show up in good numbers

Greenfinch


Goldfinch



Starling


Blue Tit



Coal Tit



Chaffinch male


female


and these fellas live in the eaves of our house....
Male


female


Collared Dove
and yes they NEVER leave each others side




and of course my Robin

With the first of the youngsters


an image such as the last one ceratinly makes the expense of the food more than worth the effort
I will provide a new post for the seasonal or more scarce visitors

19 comments:

Pam said...

Great photos, it's always a joy to be able to watch from your own windown isn't it!

Modesto Viegas said...

Very good series!!!

theconstantwalker said...

Wonderful Dave... your garden looks fantastic and the bird count is brilliant to see.
Take care Andrew..

TexWisGirl said...

you have such gorgeous birds there, and only a few we get here (starlings, sparrows). your blackbird is built so much like our robins. beautiful!

holdingmoments said...

I'm a bit envious of your garden Dave lol
Some great visitors, and pictures.
Have to agree, seeing the youngsters appear with the parents, certainly makes it all worthwhile.

Pat said...

You have a beautiful garden and a lot of lovely bird visitors. Wonderful shots! I love that last image too!

Carole M. said...

Hi Dave! Each photograph depicts a delightful bird; I'm a sucker for the robins especially.

eileeninmd said...

Lovely series of birds and photos. I love how you framed your photos. The Goldfinch is my favorite bird, I just think it is beautiful. Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing. Happy New year!

Arija said...

Such adorable friends to have in your garden. I often wish we lived in a colder climate so I could have feeders around to entice the birds. Stalking has it's merits but getting a clear shot is not so easy.

I adore all the tits and robins of course but all European birds are close to my heart.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

I really enjloyed the visit with all of your little songbirds, very lovely images!

mick said...

A great series of birds and how nice to have them in you yard regularly. You are to be congratulated on creating a good habitat for them.

CameraCruise said...

Great series of photos!
What a beautiful garden you have and all those beautiful bird visitors.
Love the last photo.
I'm so happy the Robin is back in our garden again.

Brian King said...

Fantastic photos, Dave! You've had a great variety of birds to photograph!

joo said...

All of them are so pretty:)

NatureFootstep said...

so many great birds in your garden. You are lucky. :)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Your backyard is a Paradise Dave! Thanks for sharing. I'd love to just SEE some of those birds, and can hardly imagine being able to take such lovely pictures. I'd say yes, certainly worth the cost of the seed!

Springman said...

Spectacular Dave! That's a very photogenic backyard. Can't wait tosee the scarce visitors. Your pictures are devine!
Happy new year!

Larry said...

Wow. What an amazing yard you have Dave! Beautiful photos of all your yard birds but that last shot of the Robin chick begging for food is superb!

Adam Tilt said...

Great selection Dave. Looks like your garden is a real hive of activity. Happy new year!