Our garden birds - Harsh winter weather can spell doom

[Baron von Biffo]

I was thinking of making such things. What size? Where do I put it? Inside or outside of the window?
And how does it prevent the reflection Michael Viney talked about?

Have a look at these from the RSPB. They wont eliminate the reflection but they may deter birds from attacking it.

While we're on the subject, spare a thought for the woman who has this guy attacking his reflection in her window.

[Baron von Biffo]

Just spotted my sparrowhawk, I grabbed the camera, made a mad dash to the bedroom and just got off a quick snap through the glass before it left.



Anyone know if it's a male or female?

[Ecoguy]

Just spotted my sparrowhawk, I grabbed the camera, made a mad dash to the bedroom and just got off a quick snap through the glass before it left.



Anyone know if it's a male or female?

The coloration would suggest a young female

[MsAnneThrope]

This is one of my peanut feeders with a penny on it to give an idea of scale. Do you think it's safe?

That's perfectly safe to use all year round Biffo. It's the feeders with large enough gaps where the birds can ply a whole or half peanut out are the problem ones. And Ecoguy is right to point out the danger of nuts at this time of year. I'd argue that whole peanuts should never be accessible at any time of the year as smaller birds like robins and even blackbirds/thrushes can choke on them. Of the small garden birds only the tit family has mastered the knack of gripping a nut with their feet and pecking away at it gradually and safely. A robin and other small birds will try swallow it whole.

But the feeder you have is fine for peanuts at any time of the year. As long as there aren't larger holes/gaps in the mesh somewhere, caused by squirrels or crows perhaps, where small birds can get at a whole or half nut, then it's fine.

Is that sparrowhawk a regular in your garden now btw? A beautiful but unwelcome visitor alas...

[MsAnneThrope]

Nope still nothing The seeds are still hanging out on the balcony - I think it might be too high up and away from the river and the street. Any advice on how to attract them?

Sorry to hear that. You probably should discard those seeds now anyway. Anything not eaten within 4-5 days can grow harmful moulds or harbour other bacteria, even if they appear ok to the human eye. Try again but with smaller amounts until you do get a visitor(s).

In an apartment block you'll probably be relying on a casual fly-by with a beady eye. I'm surprised one of the tit family or a gold or greenfinch hasn't spotted your food yet. All I can suggest is to be patient for a bit longer. Good luck

Regarding cleaning the feeders yes this is very important, and should be done at least once a week, especially in warmer weather and certainly in the summer and autumn. Trichomoniasis is always a danger from unclean feeders and bird baths. Some advice from the RSPB:

RSPB: Outbreaks of disease in finches and other garden birds

Good hygiene practice, specifically the regular cleaning of all feeders, bird baths and feeding surfaces, is an essential part of looking after garden birds and will help to lower the risk to birds of diseases, including trichomoniasis.

If trichomoniasis is suspected, it is recommended to temporarily stop putting out food, except in tit feeders, and leave bird baths dry, for around two weeks, or until sick or dead birds are no longer found in the garden. This is in order to discourage birds from congregating together, which may increase the potential for disease spread between individuals.

Please also read this excellent advice piece from the RSPB (note the 5% disinfectant solution they mention for cleaning feeders, tables, birdbaths etc). Just be sure to rinse them thoroughly after disinfecting.

RSPB: Hygiene - vital precautions

[flavirostris]

Just spotted my sparrowhawk, I grabbed the camera, made a mad dash to the bedroom and just got off a quick snap through the glass before it left.



Anyone know if it's a male or female?

That looks like a female Baron ( although a small one ), the male has blueish upperparts and reddish underparts

[still-life]

Just spotted my sparrowhawk, I grabbed the camera, made a mad dash to the bedroom and just got off a quick snap through the glass before it left.



Anyone know if it's a male or female?

Funny - I sometimes have a sparrowhawk in my garden, and it favours a nearly identical perch on bare branches, partially obscured by leylandii fronds - probably an ideal ambush point.

[maxthedog]

Just spotted my sparrowhawk, I grabbed the camera, made a mad dash to the bedroom and just got off a quick snap through the glass before it left.



Anyone know if it's a male or female?

There's a one-eyed yellow idol to the north of Khatmandu,
There's a little marble cross below the town;
There's a broken-hearted woman tends the grave of Mad Carew,
And the Yellow God forever gazes down.

[DeGaulle 2.0]

Feeding birds can result in splitting a single bird species into two separate species:- Wired - Feeding Birds Could Create New Species.

[beanie]

Is anyone else having any issues with "new" plants growing under bird feeders? I found loads of weird sprouts. Think dropped seeds are growing.(not on a small scale either)