Country File

[Heedless Horseman]

I have commented before, but bird populations do seem to vary tremendously... yearly and by decade.
When I was young, Sparrows, Starlings and Blackbirds were most commonly seen in garden.... plus some Robins, Collared Doves and Jackdaws. Other 'occasionals'.
Now, very few Sparrows. Starling flock went when another house felled their roosting tree...(plenty of other trees, but...). Collared Doves displaced by Woodies and Jackdaws by Magpies. Pheasant's field got built on.
BUT, Birds much more diverse, now. All sorts of things that I never saw in previous decades. However, some have disaappeared completely.
Used to get migrants ... Redwings and a transient flock of little twittery things form Scandinavia... then, there was a storm about when they would be crossing... not seen since.
'Suicidal' Chaffinches, gone. Haven't seen Woodpecker for a while... or a Wagtail for a long time.
Even regulars such as Robins, vary. Year or two ago, maybe 3 pairs... now, just one.

Ah well. I am not a birdwatcher... just, sometimes, they give you a 'lift'. Thing 'go round' ... so enjoy what IS there. 

[Techno II]

You're absolutely right, Keith.

The different species do seem to vary from year to year.
Some seem to thrive....others, the opposite.

Our 'Spadger' population seems to have dropped over the last couple of years...partly down to their nesting sites in our big barn being annexed by the flying rats, which have virtually taken over that area.
That won't last long, as Annie Oakley has been popping them off at a rate of knots in the last few days.
She's a much better shot than me !

Cheers - Phil.

[Heedless Horseman]

Never underestimate the capacities of a Female who 'takes an objection' to something... 

[Techno II]

Ohhhh.....She absolutely LOATHES them, Keith.....The amount of 'guano' they produce is ridiculous.....and the gee-gees' water buckets end up with a film of pigeon dust, on the top, 10 minutes after Von's freshened them up.

It's their 'own fault' that they're being dealt with, with extreme prejudice...Over two days we spent at least one whole day trying to make the barn 'off limits' to them.
This involved but a netting screen on the side entrance to the barn......then trying to drive the sods out of the (then) completely open front.

The idea being, that once they were all out, the front of the barn would be closed off.
They just would not go...They just flew up and down the barn...Over and over (and over and s*dding over) again.
I got a very sore shoulder from throwing tennis balls at them....to 'encourage' them out......a gash on the shin, where I tripped over an aluminium ladder that I'd left on its side.
(Tripped over it 'cos I was looking upwards to throw more tennis balls.......I said bad words !  )

"How are we going to get rid of them ?," said Annie......"We'll have to pay some pest controller to come and shoot them"......
"Sod that, I'll shoot them myself."

Well..there were about 40 in there, when we started....That's been basically halved now.
I'm sure Annie will be out there this afto' trying to take more out.

Well...they are considered vermin....wretched things !

Cheers - Phil

[Orcs]

Ohhhh.....She absolutely LOATHES them, Keith.....The amount of 'guano' they produce is ridiculous.....and the gee-gees' water buckets end up with a film of pigeon dust, on the top, 10 minutes after Von's freshened them up.

It's their 'own fault' that they're being dealt with, with extreme prejudice...Over two days we spent at least one whole day trying to make the barn 'off limits' to them.
This involved but a netting screen on the side entrance to the barn......then trying to drive the sods out of the (then) completely open front.

The idea being, that once they were all out, the front of the barn would be closed off.
They just would not go...They just flew up and down the barn...Over and over (and over and s*dding over) again.
I got a very sore shoulder from throwing tennis balls at them....to 'encourage' them out......a gash on the shin, where I tripped over an aluminium ladder that I'd left on its side.
(Tripped over it 'cos I was looking upwards to throw more tennis balls.......I said bad words !  )

"How are we going to get rid of them ?," said Annie......"We'll have to pay some pest controller to come and shoot them"......
"Sod that, I'll shoot them myself."

Well..there were about 40 in there, when we started....That's been basically halved now.
I'm sure Annie will be out there this afto' trying to take more out.

Well...they are considered vermin....wretched things !

Cheers - Phil

I shoud have bought my air rifle over when we came over that afternoon.

[Heedless Horseman]

Phill, you seem to have infinite capacity to damage yourself.  Let 'The Gal with a Grudge' do it!... and full marks to her!
But she might not like the doing... so...

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Saw a coaltit in the garden today.
Not seen one of those for ages. 

[Heedless Horseman]

There were Coaltits around a year or two ago... but mainly Blue or Great with visiting Long Tailed.
Incidentally, when buying Birdboxes... the extra £s for a bigger one seems to be Des Res! Have had several generations of Bluetits in one and Greattits in another.  Not sure whether any of the several  smaller, cheaper boxes have been used!

[Techno II]

Coaltits ?..... pretty good population around us....A few 'greats', ditto 'blues'.

Cheers - Phil.

[Heedless Horseman]

Have just remembered what 'the little twittery' seasonal visitors were. Waxwings. Would arrive in a flock each Autumn, ploat the berries and move along. Then one stormy year, they did not... and I haven't seen any since. 

[Steve J]

Rather seasonal fluctuations with Waxwings. Far too mild here today for them with our blast of tropical air.

[Techno II]

You lucky chaps.......Never seen a waxwing, either here, or at our previous homes.

Cheers - Phil.

[Heedless Horseman]

Waxwings were amusing little chaps. Very active and constantly twittering in their flock.  Sad miss.

[Heedless Horseman]

Hedgehogloos. Eventualy got round to changing bedding in the three I put out last year. . (They have swivelling lids allowing me to freshen with Tesco Rabbit Hay. Wear gloves).
Two showed certain signs of occupancy at some time... one had been collecting plastic litter instead of leaves! 
(Or, I may have Wombles!). 
There have been several Hogs of various sizes around this year... and they will probably be active,' feeding up' for some time yet.

Three or four Foxes, including a 'pair'. So far, no Rats seen.  But backdoor security light u/s so have not been 'watching' wildlife as much as in previous years,

[Techno II]

Keith.

VERY roughly......which part of the UK do you live in ?
When Von and I loved in a part of Notts....hedgehogs were all over the place.
In Pembrokeshire.....I've only seen a single one.....caught in a live trap, in the barn, when I was after rats.

Mr or Mrs Tiggywinkle was released within your any harm.

Cheers - Phil 

[Heedless Horseman]

South Northumberland... a semi built up area with a 1/4 acre , rather TOO wild garden!
Have always had one or two around,but last couple of years more. I have not seen as many roadkill as there used to be... so maybe the general population in area declining... and, so doing my bit.

[Raider4]

Saw a jay on my morning walk today, which has cheered me up enormously.

[Techno II]

They ARE rather special to see, aren't they Martyn ?

Cheers - Phil.

[FierceKitty]

When Von and I loved in a part of Notts....hedgehogs were all over the place.

That sounds painful!

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Only if you walked on them