New friends

[Catherine]

This week, we've made two new friends!

The Brambling (first ever in our garden!) has called three days running with a group of Greenfinches.

The Song Thrush was a rare visitor - until I 'modified' the top of the RSPB pole by adding the 'saucer' part of an old feeder to it. I think the idea of 'High Tea' was the attraction!

[Chocky]

Excellent captures .
Love the third one of the song thrush . They are so nervous. . Well done Catherine

[Catherine]

Thanks, Beryl!

I'm not a photographer, nor could I ever be a camera buff, but I love birds and I like to take photographs of them. It helps when they 'pose', doesn't it?

I was in an upstairs room, looking down on the Thrush through double glazed windows, so it didn't seem to be worried with my presence. I managed to fix my camera on a table tripod so it was steady (for a change). That helped!

The Brambling pic was an experiment - taken as a still with our video camera. We're just finding out manual settings on it - as you can see!!

[Chocky]

Great . Really. I have yet to see a Brambling .
I'm no photographer. I just like to think I am and also love birds and taking photos. So your not alone

[rolf]

Well done Catherine, nice captures. Have only ever once seen a Brambling in my garden and couldn't get a clear photo.

[Merlin]

You're really lucky with the Brambling this winter Catherine, they are not staying in the UK as there is little - if any - beech mast which is their staple diet.


Pete.

[Catherine]

Thanks for your kind comments, folks!

There are many large Beech trees near us, Pete, though most within 20 yards are Oaks.

The Brambling goes for sunflower seeds all the time - either the black ones with their shells still on, or the sunflower hearts. He has been joined by a pair of Bullfinches this last few days - very colourful when they and Blue Tits are on the same feeder!

A Pied(?) Wagtail has been our newest caller though, and spent some time on the lawn and patio yesterday. It's great how a change in weather brings in its own surprises!

[Catherine]

By popular request - well, Rolf DID say I could!

... Here are 'my' Bullfinches!

(Sorry, it was VERY dull, therefore pics are a bit poor..)

[rolf]

Love the last one Catherine, the Greenfinch and Bullfinch confrontation. Such lovely birds to have visiting, although not the best of table manners.

[Chocky]

Excellent. Lovely little birds.
Nice captures Catherine

[Catherine]

Thanks, folks - just need to improve the photography now!

We were lucky to have such colourful birds on the feeders at the same time at one point - a Nuthatch, a Brambling and a Bullfinch!

[topper]

Very nice to see such colourful birds Catherine thanks for posting

[Catherine]

These ones are better (hopefully!), but my VERY favourite visitor must now be the first Goldcrest we've had in our Hampshire garden!

I was filling the feeders and was just coming out of the summer hopuse (where I keep the bird food) when I saw a little olive bird hopping around the bramches on our tiny Nordman Fir. Looking for insects I suspect, it searched on every level - both under and over the branches before flitting on to our taller, Blue Spruce where it repeated the same procedure.

I was delighted when it then flew on to the nut feeder, and tasted some of the fatballs on the fence tray before moving on! I really hope it returns - often!

[Blueberry]

you got some great photo's there catherine, my favourites are the bullfinches they are very colourful