Monday 28th
February 2005 Garden AshI've been surprised that the regular
garden birds haven't been emptying the feeders with as much gusto as before
the snow - up to a week or so ago I had to refill 3 seed feeders daily. Need
to brush up on my culinary skills!! After the wintry journey back from work
today, was really pleased to see a Green Woodpecker in next door's
(large) garden, grubbing intently (surely not ants!!). Looked great in the
late afternoon sunshine. (Ben Ring)
Thursday 24th February 2005 Garden Dumpton Thanet
The winter conditions have bought good numbers of
House Sparrows into the garden on the feeders, to day they were joined
with Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Greenfinches, Dunnocks, Robins, Wren,
Song Thrush, Collard Doves, one Woodpigeon, and a new
addition to the garden this year a Fieldfare. Also our little Wood
Mouse is taken food from under the bird feeders and returning to the
wood stack. (Gadget)
Wednesday 23rd February 2005 Garden Margate
Thanet
A Chiffchaff in my garden this morning has
boosted the 2005 Garden list.
(John W)
Monday 21st February 2005 Garden Watching Dumpton
Thanet
Bev thought I had to be suffering from sleep
deprivation when I stared to clean the kitchen windows. Poor mis-guided soul
that she is, this act of domestic drudgery was undertaken purely to allow me
a better chance of getting a few pics of the visitors to the feeding
station! A very nice mix today, probably a direct consequence of the crazy
weather. My first Song Thrush was hopping around under the bird-table
whilst a Wren inspected every nook and cranny on our Christmas Tree.
House Sparrow numbers appear to be fairly constant, at around 20
individuals, yet Starling numbers have risen dramatically with a
group of 70+ birds feeding in and around the area. Collared Doves and
Feral Pigeons dominate the seed consumption with Blackbirds
and Starling competing to stuff as many raisins in their crops as is
possible. A very obliging Robin pecked around the patio and was
joined, briefly, by a fine male Pied Wagtail. Carrion Crows
have become quite a regular occurrence with up to 7 birds present and 2
Black-headed Gulls have used the recent run of Northerly winds, to start
to "dip-feed", taking bread from the table without ever landing! Spectacular
technique just inches away from the conservatory windows. (Dylan)
Friday 18th
February 2005 Garden in Worth
The long-awaited Little Egret
finally flew over my garden in Worth on Wednesday 16th Feb bringing my
garden tally to 136. (John van der Dol)
Tuesday 15th February 2005 Garden Watch Dumpton
Thanet
When Gadget suggested we did a garden watch I was in
full agreement - little did I realise how much grub the greedy little
blighters could consume. My feeding station has more feral pigeons
than Trafalgar Square! Not a bad couple of weeks since I last reported in to
HQ. A Jay paid 3 visits one morning and a Jackdaw took bread from the
table on 1st Feb. House Sparrows remain fairly constant at around 20
individuals, Starlings number around 50, Collared Dove 7,
Carrion Crow 5 and Blackbird 6 (4m & 2f). Odd Wren,
Robin, Dunnock (2?) and Goldcrest have been noted in the garden
and this morning (15th Feb) I saw 4 single Cormorants flying over
towards Broadstairs - obviously a consequence of the northerly winds! OK -
they didn't take any peanuts from the feeders but they were still seen from
my kitchen window! (Dylan)
Sunday 13th
February 2005 Garden in Ash
Household duties & Force million
winds stopped me going out on my usual ramble today but I did see my first
garden Chiffchaff this morning. Initially spotted on the bird table,
it flew to the seed feeder before being shoved off by a House Sparrow.
It reappeared a couple of minutes later, briefly, before deciding it wasn't
going to share its dining with the 30 or so House Sparrows that were
busying themselves at the feeding stations. (Ben Ring)
Saturday
12th February 2005 Garden Mark Avenue
Last
night's activity has produced just one clump of Frog's Spawn of about
10cm diameter,
here’s a picture of the Frog's Spawn, not much to look at - but it is
the first. The BBC Spring watch map didn't show any Frog's Spawn for
Kent this morning. The first Lesser Celandine flowers have also come
out this morning. (Paul Austin)
Friday 11th
February 2005 Garden Mark Avenue
In the garden - Mark Avenue -
there have been Common Frogs in the ponds all winter, only coming out
on warm / wet nights. However, last night (11th) and tonight they have been
very active and vocal. Last night, at one time, I saw 10 males and 2 females
(not coupled) on the grass and patio - there were still some left in the
ponds. I expect some spawn soon - last year the earliest spawn was on
February 18th. There was also a Buff-tailed Bumblebee this morning
taking advantage of the sun and the stinking hellebore flowers. (Paul
Austin)
Friday 11th
February 2005 Dumpton Garden Thanet
Counted 5 Common Frogs
(Rana temporaria)
in my garden, they were very vocal and moving
around over the lawn most of the night, (Gadget)
Thursday 10th
February 2005 Dumpton Garden Thanet
Sitting in the lounge having lunch today we
observed a Wood Mouse feeding on bird seed and peanuts under the
bird feeding station in the log pile, I will try and get a photo of this
fellow over the weekend. (Gadget
