In this newsletter:
My garden birds
National Nestbox Week
Update from Albania
Tip of the week - Bird food combinations to try
Podcast Recommendation: U.K. Wildlife Podcast
Suzy’s Bird notes
Update on my garden birds
My Rook friend has continued to visit - sometimes twice a day. It has even resumed calling its two note chirp when I don't come soon enough with the suet treats.
In my garden this week a Dunnock has been singing heartily from the top of my fence, and along with the calls of the Blue Tits and Robin, it really lifts my spirits to be hearing birdsong most days (even though I know birdsong only exists for defining territory and attracting a mate).
I went on a walk to find the elusive Redwings that I know are currently in my neighbourhood. I hoped to see them before they leave for their breeding grounds in Northern Europe, and I was successful in seeing them in the tops of trees (very difficult to get them in a photograph without twigs in front of their faces!
The next day when I left my house to go on my exercise walk, there were 3 Redwings in a tree opposite my house! Because I am always monitoring my back garden, I hardly ever look out the front! Maybe they have been visiting that tree all winter!
National Nestbox Week
This event was started by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) several years ago to encourage people to make space for nature in their gardens. In so many places the natural nesting sites are declining, so to provide additional habitat in our gardens can make a real difference to the birds.
This time of year the birds are starting to look for suitable sites, and there is still time over the next couple of weeks to put up new boxes.
Different birds use different types of box, and have different requirements for siting. Robins and Dunnocks prefer open fronted boxes, whereas Blue Tits and Great Tits prefer boxes with a suitably-sized hole for entry. House Sparrows prefer to live in a community and you can buy 3-in-one 'terrace' boxes to suit them. And there are specialist boxes to help our summer visitors, such as Swifts, Swallows and House Martins, too!
I have a Great Tit nestbox in my garden with an integral camera, and this weekend I will be putting up a Blue Tit nestbox on the side of our garden cabin. On the side of our house are two nestboxes for Swifts - it is possible that House Sparrows may use them earlier in the season. We already have a Wren and Robin starting their own nests in our Ivy!
Let me know if you are putting a box up in your gardens.
Find out more about nestboxes for the U.K. here:
And if you live in North America, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's NestWatch has some great information on bird houses for the specialist birds that may visit your garden, such as Eastern Bluebirds, Purple Martins and House Wrens.
Update from Albania
Steph Fuccio (Geopats Podcast Network) has accepted a challenge to learn to identify birds during her daily walks in Grand Park, Tirana, Albania.
This week Steph saw a Kingfisher and a Black Redstart! Soon her list will be longer than mine!
Follow her progress on Instagram
Tip of the week - bird food to try
My Robins and Blue Tits have been enjoying the suet pellet and peanut mix that I have been providing. I like to mix my own combinations of foods depending on the weather conditions (I don't put the suet pellets out if there is a lot of rain forecast to avoid a mushy mess).
My tip this week is to try your own combinations of foods, maybe peanut pieces or sunflower hearts mixed with suet pellets. Put these in a ground feeding tray or in a specific feeder and watch to see which birds return again and again.
Let me know what combinations you try.
Where have I been? (Virtually) Part I
Earlier in February I was delighted to be asked to speak to Birdwatch Ireland's South Dublin Branch. My online presentation on the joy of casual birding featured photos, videos and sounds from a day's birdwatching in a garden in Baja California, Mexico. I also shared my own garden birds that have sustained me over the last year.
There were 75 people watching, and I received many comments on how much they enjoyed the talk.
If you belong to a bird club that is seeking guests, please let me know. I am happy to speak online - wherever you are in the world!
Where have I been? (Virtually) Part II
This week I was the featured guest on Your Positive Imprint podcast. It was an absolute joy to speak with the host, Catherine, about our joint appreciation of birds. Available in both audio-only and a video option.
The wonderful video on YouTube that Catherine created includes photos, videos and sounds from both of our archives. Do take a look!
I am looking forward to hearing more from Catherine and the birds seen from her mountain cabin in New Mexico in a future episode of my show.
Recommendation - U.K. Wildlife Podcast
Have you listened to the U.K. Wildlife Podcast yet?
Hosts Victoria Hillman and Neil Phillips explore the wonderful world of wildlife in the UK - from the big to the mostly unseen.
Including tips and advice, discussion about the big issues in wildlife, and there are even a few episodes on birds! It has been a real education to me to learn about the many different creatures we have here.
Check out Neil's website for more details.
The Casual Birder Podcast
Feedback:
I received this lovely feedback from Leslie in Ontario this week.
I really enjoy hearing about your experience of the show - and it helps me know what to provide more of.
Current episode:
This week’s episode is the third in my lockdown audio diaries.
Past episode suggestion:
The Common Swift is in decline. Jamie Wyver of the RSPB tells us how we can help this awesome little bird.
Visit my website for photos, blogs, and episode transcripts
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