Wildlife December 2009

[Stephenb]

Today the garden was suddenly full of life when a flock of 80 Arctic Parrots (aka Waxwings) arrived. It's been a very poor winter for waxwings this far and these are the first birds I've seen this winter. They were stripping berries off Crataegus, Rosa and Viburnum opulus bushes. Feel a bit sorry for the resident Fieldfare who looked on helplessly as his/her food supply dwindled markedly in just a few minutes!

Having "parrots" in the garden warms one up when the thermometer is showing -14C (outside!)

Too dark for proper photography this time of year, so just some silouettes:
 

[Stephenb]

I was just out in the garden at dusk stood next to the Crataegus bush and the whole flock descended into the bush less than a metre from me - a bit like being in the Hitchcock film "The Arctic Parrots"...

[Maggi Young]

That would have been a failed thriller as a film though, wouldn't it? The happy  chattering conversations and friendly natures of Waxwings would never be convincingly threatening! We love these birds.... none here at present.... we'll look forward to seeing yours over here in a few weeks, perhaps...

[mark smyth]

send some our way please.

Anthony never answered his question ...

Since just before sunrise my garden has been invaded by a gang of redpolls to feed on niger seeds
Here's a male in summer finery
http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?mode=search&sp=161124&rty=0&r=1&off=199425&v=0
Just now there are so many I cant count them. Every so often they panic and fly away only to return in seconds

[Stephenb]

OK - I'll do a deal - you send us some redpolls in return! However, there wouldn't be much food for them - we had large numbers last winter as birch seed was abundant, but I haven't seen a single one this winter. We have a birch tree outside the front door. The birds are totally silent when feeding and all you hear is the patter of seed on the ground below - I've more than once mistaken the sound for rain falling... 

Saw a flock of some 40 siskins earlier feeding on alder seed..

[Maggi Young]

We only get  a handful of Siskins at a time, and then not often enough.
We've never had Redpolls and if the ever arrived I think the excitment would be too much for us!

[mark smyth]

Listen for their contact call, Maggi. It's metalic ch.ch.ch.ch. in the rhythm of a fast train. I'm sure someone will shoot me down for that description
a recording http://sounds.bl.uk/View.aspx?item=022M-W1CDR0001525-0200V0.xml#

[Arykana]

[mark smyth]

Arykana what is their name in Hungarian? We call them gold finch. Do you feed them the small black seed?

[mark smyth]

This is the wing of the goldfinch that sadly hit the window

[Arykana]

http://www.slide.com/r/23O_Sg9Q4z-2yi4r7V6AQnRs06IeHmD4?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

[Stephenb]

Like the Pumpkin feeder, Arkyana! Good idea! However, I couldn't hang anything like that up here - the Hooded Crows and Magpies would figure out how to get it in no time...

It always amazes me how some of our birds manage these cold temperatures. It's been well below freezing for a week now, max. -10C today. Nevertheless, a female blackcap turned up and seemed quite happy eating Berberis berries and foraging around the bird table. A wren is also still managing to make a living out there despite the fact that they never take food we put out (they can get through a winter this far north, although most don't).

[PDJ]

I thought these pictures might be of interest to members, taken on my October 2009 holiday to the Penwith area of Cornwall.

Common Lizard Lacerta vivipara
Slowworm Anguis fragilis
Fox Cub Vulpes vulpes
Fox Cub Vulpes vulpes

[Paul T]

Paul,

That fox cub is just SO cute. 

[Lesley Cox]

He is, isn't he Paul. My Teddy would like to play with his tail.