The effect of weather

[optrex]

Seeing as the forum has been quiet for a few days, its time to get the conversation going again.

Here's the starter question....

How do you think your local weather effects your birds and their behaviour patterns?

[Barbara Jane]

Here in the South West France all has gone deadly quiet! I have filled up the bird table bowls and no one is even taking the slightest bite. It is about 30 C outside so I suppose this could be the reason. The birds are still singing to me early in the morning and evening time, the song thrush gets up on top the the cedar tree and sings away for all his worth in the evening but there is not the happy eager dashing to and fro atmosphere that we had in the Spring! Will it return later?

Barbara Jane

[Ben]

Seeing as the forum has been quiet for a few days, its time to get the conversation going again.

Here's the starter question....

How do you think your local weather effects your birds and their behaviour patterns?

In West Lothian weather has been fine and warm with some heavy rain but find the birds are still looking for food from the feeders. The pair of Bluetits nesting in the garden are working overtime feeding their young in the bird box.I can hear the young chirping but do not know how many there are,just hope I see them leave might be able to count them.

[Kerry L]

Good topics, Optrex
Here it has been baking hot, most birds staying out of the sun, sensible really. They do come for a drink - although they haven't bathed in the water recently, so I keep it topped up with what is left of our rainwater. The only birds looking for food are the pigeons and woodpecker. Food put out wasn't being eaten, so I haven't topped it up for a couple of weeks. Lots of trees and bushes, so caterpillars and aphids in abundance. My daughter spotted a rat the other evening, but I think that was scouting for food, so I won't be putting more food out for a while, to make sure it doesn't return. Peanuts are the only thing that has been popular mostly from the woodpecker, occasionally the blue tits. Last year the peanuts were only eaten by the squizzies.
With regard to rain, the non-stop session that we had a couple of weeks ago (for about 2 weeks), the birds seemed to enjoy, as it wasn't cold, and using the bird bath for tummy and underwing cleaning, while the rain provided the shower for the top of their bodies.
The loss of field birds in this area I put down to intensive farming, with autumn sowing instead of spring sowing, and the removal of hedges. Light pollution has intensified here in the last 10 years, and certainly the thrushes and robins, occasionally blackbirds, sing in the middle of the night.
The breeding season seems to be more intense this year, especially the second session, they are likely to try for a third, I think.
Today has been cooler so far, storms predicted later, and at the moment, the birds are singing away beautifully.
Regards, Kerry

[Jenny]

During the dry spell (nearly 2 weeks) birds weren't out much except early morning and late afternoon. Since we've had three days of rain and mist the blackbirds, thrushes and mistle thrushes are out but very few others presumably as there's lots of caterpillars and other insects - dare I mention midgies :eek: ? The green finches are having a wonderful time lopping off all the dandelion seed heads! And all the wild flowers on my bank have now seeded, so again plenty of food. Soil being so lousy, I move my plant tubs around every couple of days and the birds are almost queuing up for the masses of worms and grubs that live under them!

This damp weather is a real nuisance, though - I desperately need to tackle the bracken and knotweed (abseiling kit at the ready, Kerry!)! It's also awful for the eagle chicks - they've not been fed for three days so some rabbit and hare carcasses have been put near - WTSE's are lazy and will grab carrion if they can.

[Jenny]

Optrex, used to work in Tamworth so your weblink interesting. Do you still have all the swans and geese below the Castle? I vividly remember a series of attacks by one male swan - his diving in people's pockets for food occasionally resulted in an unintentional swim!!

[optrex]

Optrex, used to work in Tamworth so your weblink interesting. Do you still have all the swans and geese below the Castle? I vividly remember a series of attacks by one male swan - his diving in people's pockets for food occasionally resulted in an unintentional swim!!

Small world eh Jenny! Yes there are plenty of swans and geese and ducks around the castle. The play area has just completed its transformation too and reflects the castle theme. Seems to be a great success all round ;) Feel free to pop ion and say hello on the forum, I am sure there are plenty of people who would love to hear your stories from "up there!"

[Jenny]

Thanks, optrex - will do, though not till later in week - have a couple of very busy days coming up! Glad to know about the wildfowl and that the Council have finally got play area done!!! BTW, horror of horrors - we have Canada Geese breeding up here for first time - the global warming effect?? They're going to be closely monitored as if we get a Canada invasion, could spell trouble for both resident and particularly migrant geese. Been lucky this season - seen both arrival and departure of Scandinavia lot of Brent Geese and some pink foots amongst our usual greylags, plus a small group of white-fronted greenland geese - they're usually further south and one of their breeding grounds is now threatened by a wind farm. I do wish these planners had some common sense! They were ready to consent to one on the hillside opposite "our" Frisa eagles nest but the local community pulled out (after some pressure from RSPB!). Catch you later.

[Kerry L]

About 5 years ago the Canada geese multiplied so quickly that it kept us awake at night (all year round) - and they weren't even near us but in the next village, and we often had a fly past with several groups. When they settled the honking went on and on almost non-stop, the sound being carried over the fields. The following year we saw 2 birds, and no sound at all. I think the people in the other village complained and the birds were culled. Since then the numbers are kept to a minimum and everyone is happy. Jenny - this may be the only option as they do take over and the native wild birds do suffer.

Regards, Kerry