Garden Birds

Paul
I have a colony of maybe 25 sparrows that seem to live in my garen, they are very greedy and can easily demolish 20 fat balls in a week, althouugh they have great delight in scaring away the blue tits and great tits if they enter their territory, I have three feeders so there is plenty to go round, do you have any ideas on how to stop the sparrows dominating the feed?

emily
i had loads of goldfinches come to mi table wen i first put out nyjer seed and none of them come anymore its been like that for about 3-4months wat cn i do about it thanx reply back soon em :D

Keith Penney, Tavistock, Devon
I was interested to read that the Gold Finch has dropped out of the top ten garden birds. For the past three weeks we have had as many as twelve adults and juveniles visiting our feeders. I spotted a single adult one day so put out nyger seeds which did the trick as now the whole gang visits every day. They look like a swarm of wasps when all alight on the feeders.

Stephanie Wilson
I have taken away my open bird tables in the garden because of a rat problem. I have put up a bird feeding station instead but have not seen any birds since changing the feeding arrangements. Will the birds return ?

Rosemary
A zebra finch with a blue ring on its leg arrived in our conservatory. We have temporarily housed it in the cat box. What should we do with it? I have no knowledge of looking after birds.

The RSPB's Faye Goldsmith says: We do not have any remit or expertise to deal with with pet birds of any kind but we are happy to provide advice. Although some of these escapees can survive in the wild, they are more vulnerable than wild native birds and this lady has done well to capture the bird. It is important that the bird is kept in an well ventilated cage and although they may be more used to being handled, it is important to keep stress and handling down to a minimum. With regards to what can be done, firstly I would recommend asking around the local area to see if there is an aviary or if any lost pet notices have been placed. Then I would use the local library information service which should keep records of local cage bird clubs whose members might be able to assist in looking after the bird until the owner has been found. Not knowing where this lady lives I am unable to find a specific number for a nearby club but if she emails [email protected] we have details for a number of clubs she can contact.

fran mansfield
i usually have a garden full of sparrows, blackbirds and collar doves but over the last few days i haven't seen them, nothing has changed in my garden. is there a reason?

Hi Fran, see my reply to Mick below, it's quite natural at this time of year

Emily
I know Tony, the same thing has happened in my garden i had lots of goldfinches at my birdtable but dissapear after a few weeks but i see loads of then flying and feeding there? thanks em:)

Dan
last year our garden was visited by all kinds of bird ,this year nothing but sea gulls and wood pigeons whats going on? northeast england.

Tony
Why do birds stop coming to my garden for varying periods of time, and then return? where do they go? many thanks.

Hi, see reply to Mick below

Emily smyth (nothern ireland)
Beejay, i read in my bird book that wrens fledge from their nest in 16-17 days and there independence time is 1-3 weeks hope this information is helpful :)

Emily Smyth (Killinchy) northern ireland:-)
:-)Jacki, I think u can put the netting off the fatballs and put it in a feeder there isnt really a difference. If there is a perch on the side of your birdtable hang the fatball on it with the netting on I do that and bluetits come to it! If ur not tha sure try sending it t the RSPB expert and he might write to you.

magpies
how do i stop magpies

Brian J Townsend-Marlow
I have many sparrows in my garden, feeding their young, also a pair of wood pidgeons. I have photographed all the birds amd I am happy to let you see them if you wish, Regards, Brian

Reply from Tony: Thank you Brian, I believe Radio Devon has a page for listeners pictures, might be nice to share them there.

Jacki Corke
Recently several sparrows have decided to feed from my various feeds. Question:-should I take the green netting off the fat balls or leave the netting on, before placing in the relevant feeder.

Reply from Tony: Yes. The fine green netting can catch and cut birds' feet and so we advise either not using products wrapped in it, or taking it off.

mick warner Torquay
birds that we have fed for a long time no longer visit our feeding stationany reason for this

Reply from Tony: In late summer/autumn many garden birds switch to feeding on berries and fruit in woods and hedgerows and become a little scarcer in our gardens. Also, many become more secretive at this time of year as they are undergoing their annual moult.

Beejay
Jenny wrens have nested in a birdhouse in my garden, what age do the little chicks start to fly?

Reply from Tony: Young wrens fledge (fly) after 14-19 days in the nest

ann Ipswich Suffolk
The Zebra Finch I saw yesterday has now turned into two. Should I be doing anything special for them?

Reply from Tony: No need to do anything special for them, just enjoy them while they are around. If you know anyone locally who keeps caged birds, it might be worth mentioning that you've seen a couple of escapees though!

ann Ipswich Suffolk
re: the Zebra Finch I saw earlier. I got as close as 1ft. Should I keep my eye on it.

Ann Marshall - Suffolk
There is a zebra finch flitting in and out of garden. Is this unusual?

Reply from Tony: Zebra finches are commonly kept as pets and sometimes escape. We often get calls about this and while its not common, it's not that unusual either.

swallows
can anyone help,during my work i came accross an electric meter on top was a swallows nest the meter was unreadable as a result of droppings..left well alone told off by my boss for not taking the reading..can anyone tell me if swallows are protected?

Helene Jessop, RSPB conservation assistant: All wild birds, their nests, eggs and chicks are protected. The legislation is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is not clear from the query that removal (= destruction) of the nest would be required to read the meter, if so, that is something that would need a special licence - Natural England is the relevant body to contact. However, our recommendation, if the problem is simply that droppings are obscuring the numbers (which I assume are on the side of the meter, and not the top where the nest is placed), is to use a damp cloth to clean a sufficient area, take the reading and leave. If this is done quickly and quietly and without dislodging the nest itself, the birds should not be unduly concerned. Swallows are known to choose nesting sites in places where people frequently and closely pass (eg, on ledges above doors, on top of porch lights, etc). They appear to tolerate very well such pre-existing and continuing activity and, while meter reading is obviously not a regular activity, it is quite possible that the birds will not react badly to this. However, it is important to carry out this action swiftly and with the least disturbance to the birds because, if the chicks are close to fledging, they might be prompted to leave the nest prematurely by an activity to which they are not accustomed. Swallows will be likely to use suitable sites in future years. This is something to bear in mind if the meter reading is made impossible by the droppings. In that case, it may be necessary to prevent swallows from building on top of the meter (by removing the `ledge' it forms, eg, by placing an angled sheet of material from the outside edge of the top of the meter to the wall to which the meter is fixed). However, the best outcome would be tolerance of the nest and welcoming the birds back.

Emily Smyth
I just bought flower seeds that bloom into bird attracting flowers i dont know where to plant them and i have a cat . I dont have anywhere to build a pond and i really want one would a bowl under my birdtable do?please reply .Is there any way to contact kate humble(vice president of RSPB reply as as soon as possible thanks :)

Sheila
We have House Sparrows, House Finches, Red Vented Bulbuls, Northern Cardinals, Red Crested Cardinals, Mynahs,Java Sparrows, Mejiros and spotted, zebra doves visiting our gardens. I have several feeders for these different kinds of birds with different kinds of feed. I'm trying to discourage the spotted doves and pigeons from the feeders but not having much luck so far. I also have 3 bird baths. The birds are here all yr round (I live in Hawaii) so winter is not a problem. It's important to stress feeder and bird bath hygiene when there are a lot of birds visiting your garden.

susan, bishopsteignton
Have just witnessed approx 150~200 seagulls of several types,high over our village presumably gorging on flying ants. All gone now- back to the river at low water

colin hodgkinson
my garden has justbeen renovated and have put bird feeders out but i do not see any birds using it in fact not many birds at all since the work has been done please help

Tony replies: Hi Colin. Great that you are putting out feeders. Sometimes however, it does take a little while for the birds to find this new source of food, so it might just be a matter of biding your time while keeping the food fresh. I'm sure they'll get there!

ann widnes cheshire
Ihave noticed that goldfinches have now become regular visitors to my garden we also get robins sparrows starlings and blackbirds.They all seem to enjoy stripping the liners of my garden baskets for their nests.

Emily (Northern Ireland)
I just bought flower seeds that bloom into bird attracting flowers i dont know where to plant them and i have a cat . I dont have anywhere to build a pond and i really want one would a bowl under my birdtable do?please reply .Is thee any way to contact kate huble(vice president of RSPB reply ba as soon as possible

Dianne Padgett Woking surrey
How and where in my garden can i put small bird feeders to encourage small bird to my garden, I do have a problem with pigeons. I have just bought a feeder with cage but no birds seem to have visited it yet

Tony replies: A feeder with a cage is certainly the right idea. Give the birds a little time to find it though. You might also try a bird table with a roof, as the larger birds can't fit beneath it.

June Parsons
A good way to stop squirrels using your bird feeder is to smear the outside with petroleum jelly(vaseline) this discourages them from using it when they can't get a grip!

joyce aitchison
HiI would like to share my unusual sighting.It is a nest made by 2 magpiesand they appear to have put a roof on it.

Catherine
Whilst walking in Sevenoaks Weald a couple of weeks ago we heard a cuckoo on several occasions. The first time this year.

Phil
I Have installed a bird bath in the garden and it has an ornamental bird on it but no bird as yet has taken a dip. Why?

judith
hi tony i wonder if you coul tll me how to discourage magpies from coming into my garden and upsetting the other wild birds

Alan Gibson
Hello & Welcome as you know my name is Alan and my life is my wild life I have many birds in my garden and every bird is protected from cats which fenced off with an 8 ft wire fencing with signals to protect them when they come in from cats my little buddy comes in most days a goldcrest fantastic eh scottish home bird loves the pine which we have.I made their feeding place private but they do come in the garden area. when we first move into the house I knew what I wanted to make my garden a wild haven and now it's great to go out there and take photos of my little gems I have four bumble bee nest put in ready for them & I have many spiders thrive in the garden some do get in the house some times& the mrs screems but i just pick them up put them in my back bedroom in the cupboard so he's safe. people do realise that in their lives they have about 10-11 spiders in their mouths some come out some dont so they dont harm ya as long it's not the Widow oops) I do have to watch the perigrine's as they live only a mile from me he has taken a few but that life in every thing we all do, so i' going to leave you now and get my morning bird feed out before I go to bed suet & meal worms for their breakfast so take care from me and & the wild life. x A.G.Derby

Lionel
I now see buzzards over Wentworth Golf course Surrey. Are there any other sightings so far from their usual sites.?

Lionel crowe
Magpies dip bread in the bird bath to soften it. If I do not put any out they still come in from neighbouring gardens with bread.Is this common.?

Tony replies: I have heard of this sort of behaviour before. Birds are not altogether 'bird brained' especially members of the crow family who are possibly the most intelligent of all.

satya
Everyday a pair of robins come to my window and eat bread pieces, rice grains and some seeds. Recently I bought dried mealworms and placed along with seeds but robins did not go for mealworms. Can you let me know why?

Tony replies: I've no idea. In our garden the robins can't get enough of our dried mealworms. Perhaps you could try some different brands?

Rita
I have a bird that regularly visits my garden. I never see it only hear it. It sounds like it is saying t cha t cha. Please can you put a name to this bird . many thanks.

Tony replies: "tea-cher, tea-cher" yes, that's a very common song and belongs to a great tit. Always a good one to start off with when learning bird song.

Emily ( Killinchy ) Northern Ireland
I just bought bird peanuts and the great tits keep eating all the food and they scare the blue tits and chaffinches away please write back :-) I am now a RSPB member the wildlife pack in it is fantastic!!

Tony replies: thanks for joining the RSPB, as a charity we really do rely on the support of people like yourself. As to the great tits, if you can, provide another feeder a little way from the first one to give other birds a chance to get in too.

Iris Russell
I have been watching two blackbirds raising a chick over the last three weeks. I'm like an expectant mother! The little one has now disapeared. Has it fledged?

Tony replies: Yes, chances are it has fledged. Our garden's home to a family of blackbirds at the moment, they are wonderful to watch.

Jordan baker
Hi we are doing a school project about endanged birds in devon. we are going to be making A home for them in the school but nead to know what birds are in sidmouth in devon .Please help us!

Hermione
We have a bird in our garden (in W.Sussex) which looks like a Robin for colouring but different in every other way - is it a youngster or a different breed?Also I had the same problem as Kate below with crows and or Rooks eating bird food, I found hanging fat balls on at least 2 & half foot piece of string or twine but at least 6 ft off the ground meant they couldnt get purchase and gave up.Many thanks.

Could be a young robin. These lack all the orange feathers of the adults and do look different.

Emily
Do woodpeckers and cuckoos come to Northern Ireland?

Tony replies: Woodpeckers don't breed in Northern Ireland, but occasionally turn up as vagrants. Cuckoos however do, especially in the west.

Emily
Are ordinary peanuts and nuts safe to give to birds or do you have to get them special peanuts for birds?:I saw a goldfinch in my garden for the very first time !!

Tony replies: best to buy peanuts specially for birds in bags and make sure they have an appropriate 'kite mark' certifying they have been tested safe for birds. Never put out salted nuts as the birds can't handle the salt very well. And at this time of year we always crush our peanuts just in case they are fed to young birds.

Fran
i have the same problem as Kate when we are at home sat in the conservatory the rooks keep away but this may only be for a very short perioid in the day, when not there the rooks invade. Dimolish the fat balls in proper containers and the seed feeders. Its a pity as the blue tits and smaller birds miss out and i do not want to feed the rooks/crows. I have though on squirell feeders if they would do, but as so expensive would like to know if they will work.

Kate
How can I stop crows eating all my bird food at the same time encouraging small birds to use the feeders. Currently the crows are coming in flocks and emptying the bird feeders daily.

Reply from Tony: Hi Kate, not an easy one. All I can suggest is try feeding on a roofed bird table for a while, one where the crows can't comfortably get under. Tony.

Ina
We have been watching woodpeckers making a nest in our old walnut tree for the last 2 weeks. It must be getting close to being finished as they are able to get almost inside. I wish I had a web cam, this has been so interesting to watch, one bird will work for half an hour or so, then it will call out and the other comes to inspect.The one doing the work hides around the other side while inspection takes place. Now its getting close to finish they are both on the tree, wood chippings have been flying everywhere. We have a shifty magpie who keeps coming and having a look, I have my eye on him. We can see all this activity fom our sitting room bedroom and kitchen windows, so we don't miss much, it would be nice to share it. Thanks for reading this Ina.

Reply from Tony: Hi Ina - what a lovely thing to have happening in your garden. Although they are not uncommon as visitors to bird feeders nowadays, woodpeckers nesting in gardens must be relatively unusual.

tessa
I make a mixture od wild bird seed,oats,lard,suet and mix it all together on the cooker until fairly firm, let cool amd them push in holes made in treetrunk in garden and all sorts of birds flock to eat including spotted woodpecker which is great and last year brought all the young to feed BRILL.

Tony's reply: Hi Tessa. Brill indeed, I'll bet it's the lard and suet that's attracting those woodpeckers! Keep an eye out for nuthatches too.

janice
i have bluetits building in nest box for the third year but as female brings in nest material the cockbird goes in while she is away and takes it all out again she has to work so hard what is going on please

Tony's reply: Hi Janice ... something I hadn't come across before myself, but apparently this is something that blue tits do ... not that I could discover a reason why though.

Bob Weller
Yesterday I saw a baby blackbird that had fledged, this was on the Tarka Trail between East the Water and Instow. Thought you might like to know.

Karen
daily visits-2 long tailed tits,2 great tits, 4 blue tits, lots of sparrows,4 robins,blackbirds,jackdaw, 2 starlings,rooks on their way up and down the valley,2 green finches, chaffinches, magpies,pigeons and the odd seagull.1 seagull comes and sits in our birdbath waiting to be fed,it started last year as a youngster and is now a full grown lesser black backed gull.We also have visits from 1 male pheasant and 3 females at various times of each day. I also saw a grey wagtail and a pied wagtail last week.

dave sleep
Up date on ROBINS young now left the nest, "two babys". 22th March.Have now got Blackbird with 4 eggs in nest.

joanna
have a bird in the garden with a black cap and it is eating nyjer seed, could you tell me the name.

Reply from Tony: Assuming it's not a great tit, it's probably one of three birds, marsh tit, willow tit or blackcap. I've never seen blackcap on our nyger seed so I'm minded to suggest it's either marsh or willow tit. And if you're in Devon, on balance it's more likely to be a marsh tit.

lulu
Could you tell me if the swallows in Devon that stayed behind have survived.thanks.

Tony's reply: Hi Lulu, not sure about swallows overwintering in Devon. The ones I heard about were in Cornwall (Marazion), and I don't know if they survived or otherwise. Be good to think they did though!

dave sleep Silverton
Hi Tony Just a up date on the ROBIN that built his nest on the bird table in my garden, it is now 10th march and their are young in the nest.this must a first this year

robin palmer
how can i get robins nesting in my garden there is allways one around eating the loose food that drops from the feeders in my garden robin essex.

Tony's reply: Hi Robin ... open fronted nestboxes might attract robins to nest, check out the RSPBs website for full details (www.rspb.org.uk). Ours are busy nesting somewhere near the garden, and enjoying the bird cake we are putting out.

maxine
I have lots of starlings in my garden, and the occasional blue tit,(although the blue tits do nest in my box) how do I encourage sparrows and robins to feed in the garden.I live in Hertfordshire.

Tony's reply: Hi Maxine. Robins and sparrows at this time of year are partial to dried mealworms. You can get these from the RSPB's online shop (and aren't as icky as they sound!).

janet jeffrie stourmouth canterbury kent
hi for the first time in my garden i have had a male and female jayas well as my woodpeckers

Reply from Tony: If you have jays, you must, I presume, have some old oaks around. They really like them - especially their acorns in autumn.

Alan, Exmouth
We have had a woodpecker in the garden twice in a couple of months. The red black and white plumage is wonderful - how may I encourage him to visit more often? We are on the edge of the common, surrounded by tall trees.

Reply from Tony: Our woodpeckers love bird cake mixes that come with insects in them. Pop over to our shop at Darts Farm, Topsham and they'll show you the sort I mean. Our goldcrest really likes them too!

dave sleep Silverton
Hi Tony re email as below that little ROBIN that built his nest on the bird table in my garden is now leying egg's, 10th feb 2009.

Reply from Tony: Wow, fingers crossed for them in all this cold weather. This does appear quite early to me.

Barbara
I have a blackcap guarding my feeders outside the back door and chases off all other birds can I do anything to discourage him? They were very busy prior to his setting up there.

Reply from Tony: Not really. All I might suggest is putting other feeders up elswhere if that's possible.

Janet Tipper
At 1am I saw a partridge size bird,weaving through the snow.I could not believe my eyes,do you know what he could be?

Reply from Tony: If not actually a partridge (we get red legged and, although very scarce, grey partridge in Devon) might it be a female pheasant?

Susan Bishopsteignton
A Blackbird yesterday trying to catch the first snowflakes!! I imagine them to be his first sighting.

Reply from Tony: How wonderful, hope the bird wasn't too confused!

dave sleep. @ silverton.
Tony' on the 6th jan this year,we had a ROBIN in the garden picking up leaves he was taking them to the bird table by the 16th jan,i had a close inspection of the table to find that he has made his nest there not wanting to disturb it, i have not seen the bird for about 3-4 days.bit early too be sitting or not??

calvin plymouth
i have a border collie which is brushed daily,im told the hair is good for nesting is this true.

Reply from Tony: Yes indeed, if you leave dog hair, or horse hair, birds can make use of it in their nests should they wish.

Neville
I'm very good at recognising birds and have been all my life. But today in my garden I had a bird in a tree and I couldn't identify it, other than it was a finch.I have lots of green, gold and chaffinches and know them well - including their habits.But this one sat in the tree, only moved about slightly, didn't come down to feed with the other birds and finally left.From the front its belly was the same colour as that of a female bullfinch; there were chaffinch-style stripes - but not quite the same - in its wings, but its back was the colour of a greenfinch. It's bill was also slightly slimmer than the opther finches.It definitely wasn't a brambling.If it weren't so silly I'd say it was a cross between a chaffing and greenfinch (not a female chaffinch either, as I am very familiar with them)..Any ideas?Also, my pied wagtails are white wagtails. Is this common in Somerset?

marian
I live in the Chesham Area andI have many birds visit my garden due to the bird boxes, peanut feeders,wild bird seed, and fat balls.ajoined to my garden are open fields and hedge rows, I love it. in my garden Ihave seen,jenny wren,blue tit,great tit,robin,house sparrow, siskin, greenfinch,chaffinch,starling,blackbird, songthrush, jay, magpie, jackdaw,collared doves, sparrow, robin. In the fields I see crows,rooks, a kestrel,sparrowhawk, and during the night I have heard the owl.I was amazed to see the bats late at night on the wing,it was my friend that noticed them. All the best with your survey, I am looking forward to the results.

Jill & John Lamerton, Mary Tavy,Tavistock
Long-tailed Tit 4Starling 4Goldcrest 1 femaleRobin 1Dunnock 1Coal Tit 2Blackbird 3Great Tit 2Goldfinch 2Sparrow 2Blue Tit 2 Magpie 1Chaffinch 1Bullfinch 1 femaleSeen between 9 and 10 am, Saturday 24 Jan. On and around birdfeeders

Corinne
I live not far from the Tamar Bridge in Plymouth and close to some MOD land. I have been lucky to see what seems to be a resident Buzzard, often it is riding the thermals or sitting in a tree calling. I also have bird feeders in my garden and this week (January) have spotted a new customer...a female blackcap, isn't this unusual for this time of year?

amy
i saw a bird in my garden plucking what i think was a smaller bird, after it flew away i went to see what was left and there was a circle of grey and black feathers from another bird, i have never seen a bird of this sort before and would love to know what bird it was please.

Reply from Tony: Wonderful, the bird you saw was almost certainly a sparrowhawk. Thirty years ago these were something of a rarity, having suffered badly with the effects of organochloride pesticides such as DDT. However, since those chemicals were withdrawn, their population has made something of a comeback and now they are a regular feature of our gardens. We have one ourself who, a male, who visits every so often. And in case you were worrying, there's no evidence that the presence of sparrowhawks is detrimental to bird populations. Indeed, it's probably the opposite, the presence of sparowhawks indicating a good healthy small bird population.

eddie Lee
I was delighted to spot a jenny wren have not seen one in many years.

Reply from Tony: Yes, wrens are always great to see in the garden, and often overlooked due to their diminutive size. Despite this, they have one of the loudest songs though, listen out for it they tend to be vocal in most months of the year. They are not the smallest birds though, keep an eye out for goldcrests, Europe's smallest bird. We have a couple of these tiny bundles of feathers at the moment, both of whom have taken to liking the birdcake/dried insect mix we put out.

Janet Gale
I'm about to move house and will have a garden for the first time for years. So I want to encourage as many birds as possible. But I would also like a cat. Can the two ever be compatible?I read somewhere that if you want to encourage birds, then don't get a cat. Is this true? I really do love birds, but a cat would be company. What's your opinion,please? Thank you. Janet.

Reply from Tony: Yes, cats are an endless source of controversy. The fact is though, that despite research, no one knows if their impact on birds is significant in terms of reducing populations. The question that can't be answered is this: do cats eat birds that would die anyway, or are they eating healthy birds that would have bred if they'd survived? If the former, then cats have no impact, if the latter then the chances are they do. However, another thing that needs to be considered is the fact that, despite the numbers of cats in gardens, many garden birds are doing well - witness the increases of goldfinches over the past few years. Of course people may argue that there are some that are not doing well such as house sparrows, but this appears to be a problem more in the south east than it is here in Devon. If cats were to blame, then you expect declines everywhere. In my personal opinion, and I'm biased as we have a couple of cats, I don't think they are a problem. Good luck with the garden.

Sue
I have noticed a large increase in goldfinches in my garden. (Dalwood, East Devon) Yesterday 34 of them were feeding at the same time.

Goldfinches are increasing in numbers in our gardens. Although we've not had as many as 34, there are times when every single feeder perch on the sunflower seeds is occupied by one.

Marilyn Dunn
for the first year ever we have had a pair of nuthatches come to bird table,this is first time i have seen one. We have had goldfinch, siskin ,long tailed tits, coaltits, greenfinch, dunnocks and loads of sparrows. I live in built up area of Newport Gwent.

Nuthatch is one of the species I'd love to see in our garden but haven't as yet managed to attract, despite the fact they breed on the outskirts of our village. Nice to read that you have siskin as well, another bird that's not on our list yet!

Eva , Stourbridge ,west mids
Could you please tell me if Gold finches migrate in winter ,as we have not seen any since the summer and when do they return?

Reply from Tony: Hi Eva. Goldfinches are known as `partial migrants' in that, in winter some of the population moves, mainly down to southern Spain, while some stay behind. As with other finches it’s the males that tend to stay nearer home than the females. However, of recent years, those that stay have increasingly been using gardens, so I'm not sure why yours have disappeared? I know the ones in our garden love sunflower hearts and, to a lesser degree, nyger seed. All the best, Tony.

Emma
I have lots of birds i my garden.i live in south shields.I get tits and blackbirds and a robin.I put out a range of food.But how do you stop starlings as they pinch all of the food and I get annoyed?.Thank you.

Reply from Tony: Yes, starlings can be quite greedy - they love the fat balls we put out in our garden. However, even though there's still quite a few around, nationally they are declining in numbers and are on the 'red' list of endangered species due to these declines. With this in mind if you did want to try and give the other birds a look in have a look here for some practical advice: http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/
birdtables/problems.asp
All the best, Tony.

Mollie and Christine
It is soooo cute.

penny davies
how can i stop pigeons and magpies coming onto the bird table. I have tried moving venues netting but nothing seems to work.

Reply from Tony: Hi Penny. Have you tried getting a low roof for the bird table so that only the smaller birds can fit beneath? There's also some advice here for magpies http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/
magpies/magpies.asp - and here for pigeons (albeit feral pigeons rather than woodpigeons) http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/
feralpigeons.asp
All the best, Tony.

Mr.B.J.Darby.
I have 2 feeding poles out,1 in front garden & 1 in back garden all with birdseed,peanuts & suet blocks.All we get are Starlings( dozens).Why no other birds?

Reply from Tony: Hi Mr Darby Yes, I've seen this recently in a garden in my own village. I think it's simply because the starlings out-compete the other birds and keep them from getting a beak in and then they may leave very little for the other birds. Also, autumn can be a quiet time in the garden for some species such as tits and finches as they are out in the wider countryside feasting on the natural harvest of fruits and nuts. With regard to starlings, even though it sounds like you have quite a few, they are currently `red listed' which means that their population in the UK has declined by more than 50% in the past 25 years. For more details visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/
starling/index.asp

Graham - Exeter
We are in suburban Exeter with a nice mix of habitat & quite a few trees, an open area in the middle with a decked over concrete pool with summerhouse beside. We have been putting wind-fall apples on the deck for the birds & a few weeks ago a Herring Gull landed (unusual) & started to demolish an apple - took the remainder onto s/house roof & finished it. Has any-one seen gulls eat apples?

Reply from Tony: Hi Graham. Although I haven't personally seen herring gulls eat apples it doesn't surprise me, gulls will eat virtually anything as long as it's the right texture and size! Interestingly, although they are around, we've never had any gulls in our garden, possible because it's too enclosed. If you are interested, you can find out more information about gulls from the RSPB's website here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/h/
herringgull/index.asp

Reg Fraser, Woodford Plympton PL7
Dear Tony, Many years ago I made a Birdtable which still does service today.Many birds have come over the years, mainly sparrows, which sadly seems to be declining in numbers, \i am now getting more blackbirds which like to fed of the ground where the other birds have scatted from the table, incidently I must mention a friendly Robin has for several years makes me a visit and when I am out doing digging he will sit on a fork rihgt along side me and wait for something to eat and look at me as if to say well old man get cracking, sadly Ive not yet seen him this year. Reg

Reply from Tony: Hi Reg.Great to hear you've got sparrows, they have undergone severe declines in some parts of the UK, especially in the east. We have a number breeding adjacent our garden an one of two pop in regularly. Robins are always nice to see in the garden, but being fiercely territorial year round you never tend to see more than one or two. And yes, they can be quite friendly!

Alan
In and around our Plympton garden we have recently seen several lovely jays. Are they increasing in number?

Reply from Tony: Hi Alan. What you are probably seeing is English birds dispersing from their breeding areas to the east and moving down to the West Country, which is quite normal. However, some years, when there's a failure of their seed crops abroad (specifically acorns) you can get huge influxes of Jays from the continent. I once remember watching them coming in off the sea at Cley in Norfolk, and a colleague mentioned that in 1982 following a bad crop failure there were flocks of the birds flying in over migration points to winter in the UK. For more information on jays have a look at: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/j/
jay/index.asp

Rob Smith ,Westward Ho!
Arrived home from work a few weeks ago to see a Peregrine Falcon devouring a young woodpidgeon on the decking!We watched it through the kitchen window for 5 minutes or more.A change from the usual blackbirds, gulls and jackdaws!

Answer from Tony: Hi Rob, that must have been an amazing sight! Peregrines are certainly more common nowadays, especially around our coasts. The other bird capable of catching woodpigeons would be a female sparrowhawk. So if you see a similar incident again, just double check to see if its one of these … like peregrines they are increasingly common.

All the best, Tony.

Keith
Over the past few years there has been a noticeable decline in number of Tit and greenfinch family visiting bird table, sparrow numbers have been incresing - can you suggest any possible reasons.

Reply from Tony: Hi Keith Very interesting. It's normally the other way round, with sparrows declining and other species on the increase, so your local environment is obviously good for house sparrows, which is great as they are now on the `red list' of endangered birds in the UK. With regards to great tits and blue tits, autumn is normally a quiet time for them in the garden as they are out and about in the wider countryside eating autumn seeds and nuts. Give it a few weeks and I'd be surprised if they weren't back. As to greenfinches, it's just possible that your local population could be suffering an outbreak of trichomaniasis, an increasingly common parasitic disease in wild birds that seems to be particularly prevalent in the South West. If it is around, it will pass, but will reduce numbers. For more information on house sparrows visit: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/h/
housesparrow/index.asp For more information on trichomoniasis visit: http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/health/
sickbirds/greenfinches.asp

Jon Harvey, Bridport Dorset.
Tony. We have many gold finches as well as many other garden birds, feeding from sunflower heart feeders and other variety filled feeders, but for the past two years, no bird touches Niger seed. Neighbours also say the same. Yesterday had a family of 9 long tailed tits visit for several minutes on a peanut feeder filled with fat balls.

shirley landkey devon
would bluetits be using the bird boxes right now. I seem to be getting more coal tits at the feeders than usual.

Reply from Tony: Hi Shirley, Yes, blue tits might well be using your nest box for roosting in of an evening. Now that it's become colder the birds are looking for nice warm snug places to spend the night and nest boxes provide this. I recall hearing a story about one nest box found containing over twenty wrens one cold winters night. And coal tits ... yes, we've had a couple back in the garden over the past few days, natural supplies in the woods and hedgerows may well be running down at the moment as we are towards the end of autumn.

All the best, Tony.

John, from Ebford(Nr.Exeter)
Tony, We had a nuthatch visit our garden, so rushed out and bought some peanuts, but they have not been back. So what should we put out to attract them back?

Reply from Tony: Hi John. Nuthatches, wonderful! That's another we've not yet seen in our garden, despite them nesting not to far from where we live. You are spot on with peanuts, they do favour them. Also, you might try 'peanut cake' from your bird food supplier and smear the mix on suitable branches. doing this might also attract the woodpeckers too. Hope they return, they probably will as the temeratures fall!

All the best, Tony.

PS: For more general info on bird food visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/
whatfood/index.asp

Meg, Tavistock
Hi tonyWhat's the best way to attract finches we have put out a Niger Bird Feeder, a nut feeder and a seed feeder but haven't had any finches, we get lots of blue tits, long tailed tits and robins but no finches!!!! Thanks :)

Reply from Tony: Hi Meg.That's a bit puzzling, I know in my garden the nyger feeder attracts a stream of goldfinches and the greenfiches are always buzzing around both the sunflower seed and peanuts. Maybe, where you are, it's just taking a little while for the finches to find you - when it turns a little colder and the birds leave their woodland homes no doubt they'll start coming in to your garden.

All the best,Tony.

Wendy & Karl Gale, Brixham
Yesterday we saw over 50 magpies flying around together some landing in the garden then all flying off in an easterly direction,towards Berry Head.We have never seen so many Magpies together before.

Hi Wendy and Karl.It's possible the birds were flying off to roost together at Berry Head, but that's quite a lot of birds - must have been noisy! A colleague mentioned he's seen a roost in Plymouth once that numbered 20 plus birds, but I've never seen a flock that size myself.

All the best,Tony.