Feeder Friends

Lately it’s been dreich and cold and my walks through the countryside have been a bit deplete of any visible wildlife. So I thought I’d take a closer look at the variety of birds flocking to the fast food joint in my garden. Long tailed tits fly around in large flocks, whistling to each other as they go. Here are seven wee beauties feasting at the peanut feeder.

There are three other tit varieties which visit the feeders. Of course the blue tit is perhaps most recognizable. Here it is with its blue cap and plain yellow front. It’s keeping a look out for prey such as cats or sparrowhawks.

The coal tit is a bonny wee bird with more of a black and white head and creamy pale body.

Then there is the far aptly named bigger great tit. It has a black stripe running down the middle of its yellow breast. It is one of the first sounds to herald the stirrings of Spring. Its call sounds like the opening and shutting of a squeaky gate.

Now the colourful bird flying off to the right of the feeders is a goldfinch. They particularly like the taste of the sunflower hearts which I put out to attract them. Goldfinches often fly around in large flocks too. A group of them is called a “charm” of goldfinches. Here they are hogging the sunflower hearts. ( I got to wondering what the collective noun for a group of long tailed tits is and apparently it’s a “volery” – don’t know why.)

I spotted another type of finch at the feeders and that’s a green finch. It’s a mostly olive/brown bird with a dash of yellow on the side of its wings.

Sparrows have now mastered getting food from feeders and they join in the frenzy at the feeders when the weather is particularly cold.

The only other birds I might expect to see at the feeders are siskins, nuthatches and woodpeckers. A siskin is bit like a greenfinch but with far more yellow on it. I don’t seem to have a photograph of one and wonder if they are much scarcer this winter. Hopefully one will come to the feeders yet. I did see a nuthatch come a few times in November and December but haven’t seen it lately. It’s great to have the birds come to your garden in the winter time and be able to observe them from the warmth behind your window.