A Return to Garden Birdwatching!
My garden birds this week |
Tip of the week: Cleaning feeders|
Podcast recommendation: The Wildlife Garden Podcast |
Recent episode: #98 Focus on Birders: A conversation with Faraaz Abdool |
Suzy’s Bird Notes
My garden birds
I'm back at home this week, and there has been a big change in the weather - it is much cooler and we have had several stormy bouts of rain. On the plus side, we were treated to a stunning, Turner-esque pink sunset-lit storm cloud one evening!
My garden has been fairly quiet this week, bird-wise.
Rooksy, my Rook friend, has visited a couple of times. But while looking eager to see me when I approach my kitchen window, with associated stretching of wings and shaking of feathers, when I actually open the door to throw out some suet pellets, it has flown off as though scared by something. Hopefully, things will return to how they were previously.
The House Sparrows, Starlings and Blackbirds that were visiting regularly before I took my week away have disappeared from the garden - possibly the young have all fledged and there is not the same pressure on the adults to seek food in my garden.
However, Goldfinches, Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws have been regular visitors and provided interest for when I look out of my windows. Seeing a pair of Wood Pigeons sharing the birdbath was a lovely moment!
Bird visitors of note this week were a juvenile Greenfinch eating at the sunflower hearts feeder, unwittingly feeding Wood Pigeons with dropped seed pieces (it's amusing to see these large birds running from feeder to feeder trying to be first in the race to get the seed) and a low pass by a Red Kite, which always gives me a thrill.
And one morning I was particularly happy to watch three juvenile Corvids (a Jackdaw, Magpie and Rook) associating together, pulling moss from roof tiles and sharing the fun of dropping and catching the plant (which possible also held previously stashed food morsels). It was really interesting to see them interacting and learning from each other.
Tip of the week: Cleaning feeders
If your garden has been quiet, like mine, now is a great opportunity to give all of your feeders a really thorough clean.
Bacteria and fungal spores can build up on food that has been in warm, damp conditions, and may be passed on from bird to bird at the feeder.
Here is my 5-step process:
Dispose of any food in the feeders.
Take the feeders apart and carefully put any small screws or other pieces in a plant saucer for safety (so they don't get lost).
Wearing rubber gloves, fill a bucket with dish soap and hot water. Use a dedicated scrubbing or bottle brush to clean all the pieces.
Submerge the pieces in a 10% bleach solution, for a few minutes.
Rinse with clean water and air dry. Once completely dry, reassemble and refill with fresh seed.
I recommend only part-refilling your feeders to avoid food standing around for too long. Be sure to discard all liquid appropriately down your drains.
This would also be a good time to move your feeders around the garden to avoid any build-up underneath them.
Podcast recommendation - The Wildlife Garden Podcast
Presented by Ellie and Ben, this fabulous show inspires us to create space for wildlife and gives practical steps for doing so.
With interviews, in-depth features and tips on the best plants for nature.
Grab a cuppa, relax, and enjoy!
The Casual Birder Podcast
Recent episode:
#98 Focus on Birders: A conversation with Faraaz Abdool
No new episode this week, but take a listen to this recent episode with Faraaz Abdool, the author of Casual Birding in Trinidad and Tobago.
Faraaz is a noted photographer, tour leader and active member of the global birding community.
He tells me how he became a casual birder and shares some of his favourite birding moments.
Past episode suggestion:
#79 Bird Walk at John Heinz NWR with Tony Testa
Tony Testa, Host of the Finding Subjects podcast, takes us on a wonderful bird walk through his local wildlife reserve, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA: the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.
Visit my website for photos, blogs, and episode transcripts
Keep in touch
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