Our garden birds - Harsh winter weather can spell doom

[MsAnneThrope]

We still have Redwings in Cork, and while walking home this evening in a balmy 10 degrees.

All the birds were singing and thinking about "lurve".

The question is now do we have a new specis in Ireland, will they stay for good now that they have tasted the fine cuisine.

Why fly back to Russia for mince meat, when you can stay in Cork and have steak?

Most of them have come down from Iceland and Scandinavia, a trip they remarkably make in just one night:

"It is amazing to think that these small birds can make the arduous journey from their northern breeding grounds to Ireland in the course of just one night", says Niall Hatch, Development Officer with BirdWatch Ireland. "Migrating in near total darkness, Redwings keep in contact with others in their flock by way of a very characteristic metallic buzzing call, for me one of the classic sounds of autumn. When I hear them arriving it always reminds me that winter is just around the corner."

Once they arrive, they live a nomadic existence. The smallest of our thrushes, they are particularly vulnerable to the cold, and they move in response to weather and food availability. Large-scale movements to the southern half of Ireland in response to cold snaps have been witnessed.

RTE Mooney Goes Wild: Redwings in the night...

Unfortunately they don't breed here and will return to their native breeding grounds back up north in the coming weeks. They should start returning again in October/November.

[maxthedog]

Most of them have come down from Iceland and Scandinavia, a trip they remarkably make in just one night:



RTE Mooney Goes Wild: Redwings in the night...

Unfortunately they don't breed here and will return to their native breeding grounds back up north in the coming weeks. They should start returning again in October/November.

Thanks for the Info.

Never seen them before and find their temper very entertaining. A pidgeon landed amonst a few of them today and instead of continuing to feed they all just stared at the Pidgeon.

Anyway as person who was told the same about Egrets 2o years ago. "They never stay" I will keep with my foolhardy and romantic notions, that after the coldest weather in 50 years, my Redwings will have this imprinted on their brains and will stay.

After all according too Lonely Planet, Cork is one of the best places in Europe.

[MsAnneThrope]

Anyway as person who was told the same about Egrets 2o years ago. "They never stay" I will keep with my foolhardy and romantic notions, that after the coldest weather in 50 years, my Redwings will have this imprinted on their brains and will stay.

After all according too Lonely Planet, Cork is one of the best places in Europe.

You never know Max! Stranger things have happened. You could call your newly adopted friends Rebelwings and they'd even have the bit of red to go with the Cork GAA jerseys, like

[MsAnneThrope]

Just a reminder about the Aldi bird nosh special tomorrow for anyone looking to recession proof their feeders.

€49 and I'm stocked up for weeks. Most of the people in Aldi this morning were buying it too. They'll be sold out by tonight or tomorrow I reckon. The €9.99 tubs of fatballs were good value (by Irish prices).

[Baron von Biffo]

€49 and I'm stocked up for weeks. Most of the people in Aldi this morning were buying it too. They'll be sold out by tonight or tomorrow I reckon. The €9.99 tubs of fatballs were good value (by Irish prices).

It was moving quickly in Aldi in Tullamore as well. I got a load of the mealworms, great value at less than half the price in Petmania. The boot of the car is still full of seed because I slipped and wrenched my back so I can't lift it out

A friend got me to pick up one of the 'feeding station' poles and her son put it up. I was very impressed at how solid and sturdy it is for only €15.

All told I'm a happy little Biffo this evening

[MsAnneThrope]

The boot of the car is still full of seed because I slipped and wrenched my back so I can't lift it out

Feckin' eejit! And it's not even icy! Only kidding Into a hot bath with you now, agus tog a bog é. Hope it gets better soon.

BTW, I hope Lidl will do a similar promotion soon. They usually do a few times a year so might be a good opportunity to stock up further. If Aldi aren't cleaned out completely tomorrow I might get some more. I always feel a bit guilty buying too much in one go, especially when others are there for the same stuff.

[brigg]

Thought I'ld mention that another spell of exceptionally cold weather is now looking increasingly likely for next week...

[Baron von Biffo]

Feckin' eejit! And it's not even icy! Only kidding Into a hot bath with you now, agus tog a bog é. Hope it gets better soon.

Don't apologise when you're right. It happened going in to the Tullamore Court for a munch before heading home and I've no idea how I managed it.

BTW, I hope Lidl will do a similar promotion soon. They usually do a few times a year so might be a good opportunity to stock up further. If Aldi aren't cleaned out completely tomorrow I might get some more. I always feel a bit guilty buying too much in one go, especially when others are there for the same stuff.

If you hear of Lidl doing it let us know.

Forget guilt. In 60 years time the birds will come to visit you in the old folks home because their ancestors told them of your kindness this winter.

[MsAnneThrope]

Forget guilt. In 60 years time the birds will come to visit you in the old folks home because their ancestors told them of your kindness this winter.

60 years? lol. More like 6 months at this rate

Will post here if I hear of any more promotions. Later...

[Baron von Biffo]

My two mesh peanut peanut feeders had long been plagued by jackdaws who had no problem clinging to them and emptying them faster than I could keep them filled. I have no problem with them having a bit of a feed too, but once they show up the smaller birds move off.

In a bid to oust them I moved the feeders to a less accessible spot and replaced them with a seed feeder and round type peanut feeder. Success! Well partial success. The jackdaws are still getting to the old feeders (though not as much) but the small birds have taken to new set-up with glee.

Within minutes of putting them up they attracted blue tits and great tits. Now, 3 days later, I spotted 7 siskins and a pair of goldfinches joining forces with my usual sparrows and chaffinches to use them.

The extra colour and song in the garden is brilliant.