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