Unusual visitors

[Birds&Bees]

My parents (in Kent) have had large numbers of birds visiting their bird feeders in recent weeks. Last weekend they had flocks of siskins and goldfinches on the seed feeder (sunflower hearts) that I bought them for Christmas.

Needless to say, my mother is absolutely delighted. Both are new species for the garden although she has been feeding the birds for over 20 years (she used to buy her food from the greengrocers/DIY superstore).

Has anybody else had new birds coming into their garden because they've been feeding?

[Sunspray]

I have found that some cheaper birdfood is false economy because they contain "fillers", most of which are left by the birds.

I am sure that birds are just as discerning with their food as we are.

:)

[Ben]

I have found that some cheaper birdfood is false economy because they contain "fillers", most of which are left by the birds.

I am sure that birds are just as discerning with their food as we are.

:)
certainly are in my garden, as the goldfinches prefer sunflower hearts and nijer seed having refused other "birdfood"

[BFS/BHD]

Recently we have had visits from a male pheasent and a goldcrest.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f362/BFS2507/pheasant12.jpg

[Caroline]

We also have a family of Pheasants (1 male with 5 females), a resident great spotted woodpecker who loves the peanuts, and a green woodpecker (though that has nothing to do with my feeding ;) ) who comes within feet of the house.

My favourites though are the visits by the birds of prey (Red Kite, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk) though that is all indirect feeding, unless anyone can advise otherwise?

[Rita 70]

In addition to my blackcaps (see posts elsewhere) I have been delighted this week to get my first pair of siskins - what little beauties. I envy the flocks of them in Kent. I have fed high quality seed from CJW for years, occasionally adding the "mixes" from pet shops for the pigeons and our one pheasant, but am not keen on the weeds it results in.

[Sue_B]

I moved here from another part of the town (near Manchester) nearly 2 years ago but only the last few months have I been getting siskins, blackcaps and goldfinches. All the birds love the hi energy seed and none of it is wasted and it doesn't make a mess, I also put out fat with seeds in which the starlings go bonkers for. Someone I know gave me some cheap seed to use up and they just weren't interested in it at all and I ended up throwing most of it away.....my birds are very fussy and spoilt with their Hi energy seed.

A couple of months ago on a potentilla bush in the front garden (it had dead seed heads on) we spotted 12 goldfinches on it.....I've never seen anything like it!! Is that a record? :eek:

[Caroline]

Afraid not.
I've been getting flocks of 50 to 100 up in my trees :)

[CLS]

That's pretty amazing! What are you feeding to bring that many in???

[Caroline]

Ok I maybe misled you all slightly on that one. They are not coming in to feed but to roost but it is still a pretty amazing sight and the noise is phenomenal :) .

[Sue_B]

Wow Caroline that is indeed amazing. :eek: Up in my part of the country though and seeing as we live in a town, I think the amount of different birds we have here is still good.

Sue

[CLS]

I would be happy with that many! We had a family of 6 or 7 feeding last summer but I haven't seen them for a while. :(

[Emma]

We are lucky enough to get Siskins in our garden, too. Lovely birds. Other 'unusual' visitors are a single Brambling (expecting it to migrate back home soon) which feeds with our Chaffinches, and, more recently, a couple of Yellowhammers which I am hoping will become regulars (five seperate visits so far).

[deedee]

Hi there,

I too, saw a Brambling last week - very special - outstanding with it's markings ! My 'best' visitors are the Bullfinches ; up to 10 at a time, M+F, they love Nyger.
I also enjoy seeing the Nuthatch who has go the hang of our new ring-perch feeder - he swoops in, pinches a single sun flower heart, and flies off super quick !
DeeDee

[Emma]

I'd love to see Bullfinches in my garden, DeeDee. I know they are close-by because I see them at my local patch, which is just twenty seconds walk from the front door! I hope they'll come and visit us at some point!

[Jules]

I had a pair of bullfinces in my garden when I used to feed black sunflower seed from a plastic feeder. However, they would only feed when the lid was off the top of the feeder which meant they could dig down into the seed.

Also, when I switched to sunflower hearts so as to avoid the waste caused by the husks (which was attracting rats), the bullfinches stopped coming into the garden. This must mean, then, that they prefer to strip the outer off the seed rather than having all the work done for them!!!

[Rockin Robin]

i also get a lot of siskins in my garden, but no bullfinches but i know they are around because i saw them along the old dissused railway line (now footpath) near my house. Also i get a few redpolls as well.