Greenfinch/ Sparrowhawk
Last summer the Sparrowhawk decimated our entire population of Greenfinch. As entertaining as the Sparrowhawk and as beautiful as it is we needed to try and save our Greenfinch as they are a species in decline in the UK. We have recently put up bamboo canes to make the Sparrowhawk less successful. The Bamboo canes give the smaller birds an extra few seconds of reaction time to get to safety. Because of our efforts We currently have three breeding pairs and two fledglings visiting daily and our continuing to monitor the Sparrowhawk to ensure that its health isn't being affected. From what we can see the Health of the Sparrowhawks are perfectly fine as they have successfully reared chicks for two years running.
Last summer the Sparrowhawk decimated our entire population of Greenfinch. As entertaining as the Sparrowhawk and as beautiful as it is we needed to try and save our Greenfinch as they are a species in decline in the UK. We have recently put up bamboo canes to make the Sparrowhawk less successful. The Bamboo canes give the smaller birds an extra few seconds of reaction time to get to safety. Because of our efforts We currently have three breeding pairs and two fledglings visiting daily and our continuing to monitor the Sparrowhawk to ensure that its health isn't being affected. From what we can see the Health of the Sparrowhawks are perfectly fine as they have successfully reared chicks for two years running.
Starling
After feeding the bird in our local area for the last eight years last year was the first time that we had starlings visit. Last year our pair managed to raise 8 chicks and see them out. This year we have had 6 starlings return and between them only raising 2 chicks. This is a success as these birds are also declining in the UK at an alarming rate.
House Sparrow
Another Success story is more recently we have had our first House Sparrows visit. This is again good news as the country as a whole is seeing a sharp decline in their population. At the moment we have two male's visiting and also a female. They also appear to be moving nest material about so Hopefully soon we will have a bigger population to see.
After feeding the bird in our local area for the last eight years last year was the first time that we had starlings visit. Last year our pair managed to raise 8 chicks and see them out. This year we have had 6 starlings return and between them only raising 2 chicks. This is a success as these birds are also declining in the UK at an alarming rate.
House Sparrow
Another Success story is more recently we have had our first House Sparrows visit. This is again good news as the country as a whole is seeing a sharp decline in their population. At the moment we have two male's visiting and also a female. They also appear to be moving nest material about so Hopefully soon we will have a bigger population to see.
Blue Tit
Although Blue Tit's are common this year and for the last six years a pair of blue tits has nested in our roof. Although on average we see them raise only two chicks per year, the truth is our population of Blue Tits is Doubling yearly and is now at nearly 60 individuals. This is mainly due to the recent mild winters allowing almost all the Blue Tits to survive their first year.
Although Blue Tit's are common this year and for the last six years a pair of blue tits has nested in our roof. Although on average we see them raise only two chicks per year, the truth is our population of Blue Tits is Doubling yearly and is now at nearly 60 individuals. This is mainly due to the recent mild winters allowing almost all the Blue Tits to survive their first year.
Hobby
Although we regularly get visits from other birds of prey such as Buzzards, and Red Kites, earlier this year on the 13th May at 11:50am the first ever sighting, on this site, of a Hobby occurred. This hobby was probably on migration and it stayed around for about a minute before battling the head winds and flying North. We have now also had a second sighting on the 8th August at 6:15pm heading North West.
Although we regularly get visits from other birds of prey such as Buzzards, and Red Kites, earlier this year on the 13th May at 11:50am the first ever sighting, on this site, of a Hobby occurred. This hobby was probably on migration and it stayed around for about a minute before battling the head winds and flying North. We have now also had a second sighting on the 8th August at 6:15pm heading North West.
Redwing
Around every three years we get an influx of Redwing that spend most of the winter with us. Most years we have a small flock of five or six birds but years like the winter of 2015/2016 we receive a flock of 31 or more birds that roost and feed on sight. This bird species (thanks to local knowledge) has changed the pattern of where it spends its winter abandoning a field that they once fed on due to the increased human activity thanks to a badly place council footpath.
Around every three years we get an influx of Redwing that spend most of the winter with us. Most years we have a small flock of five or six birds but years like the winter of 2015/2016 we receive a flock of 31 or more birds that roost and feed on sight. This bird species (thanks to local knowledge) has changed the pattern of where it spends its winter abandoning a field that they once fed on due to the increased human activity thanks to a badly place council footpath.