Love is in the air........

...... everywhere I look around!

Okay, maybe not love but, by the way the birds are pairing up, breeding season is definitely around the corner!

I think the "cutest" couple has to be the Robins - he sits guarding the feeding station whilst she feeds on the fat balls, he even chases off the little Coal Tits who are only after a few sunflower seeds! When she's finished, he then flies to a high branch & sings his little heart out.

It's not surprising he's paired off already, when his territory includes the best bird restaurant in town!

We also have 2 pairs of Great Tits, 2 pairs of Blue Tits, 2 pairs of Coal Tits, 1 pair of Dunnocks (who don't stand a chance when the Robin is around!), and we now have a pair of Thrushes which I'm pleased about!


The Long Tailed Tits just arrive in a flock of between 7 and 11, you can tell they are very social birds and love company, and I've given up trying to work out the Blackbirds and who's with who!

So when Spring arrives and the first little ones are being fed by their parents, I like to think I played matchmaker a little & helped them get together!

Busy, Busy!

I have a good feeling about this weekend! I've refilled the feeders this morning and already the garden is buzzing with activity - Great Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Robin, Chaffinches, Wren, Dunnock have all fed so far today and it's not even lunchtime yet!
And I've heard the depressing whistle of Bullfinches close by (can't see them yet though).
There is a definite wintry chill in the air which is probably why they've all come down for a feed and the trees are almost bare of leaves making it easier to spot (& photograph) the birds,.

Yes I definitely have high hopes for this weekend.......

The Onset of Autumn

Yesterday had a definite autumnal feel to it, grey and cold - every time a bird landed in the trees, leaves or twigs came falling to the floor.

I think the birds also felt it being as they never left the fat ball & nut feeders all day - it's costing me a fortune! There was a flurry of excitement as all of the Tits (Blue, Great & Coal) were battling it out for the nuts - have to say the winner was a bit of a surprise........it was a Chaffinch! I didn't think they even went on the nut feeders.

The 2 Dunnocks were positioned underneath the feeders picking up any bits that fell.

I was quietly watching the Willow Warbler pick insects off the leaves of the Oak tree when 3 Long Tailed Tits appeared! They waited in the ferns for their turn on the feeder but it never came and they flew off before sampling the food. I'm hoping that once the colder weather arrives, they will become regular visitors.