Wednesday 10 February 2021

Chirpy chirpy, no thanks.

The birds must be having a hard time finding anything to eat, so I set up a buffet for them. I put a piece of white board down on the ground, and filled two bowls with water. The menu is a chopped apple, a slice of seeded bread, six seeded crackers, some raspberries and blueberries. 

Did they enjoy it? No one came. The wood pigeons sat in the trees, and there was no sign of any little birds. The cats were indoors so that wasn't the reason. I didn't see any birds at all, none flying around. Have they all gone to a warmer climate? Oh well, maybe they will come tomorrow. 

I did a Billy dog walk this afternoon, it was rather difficult to stay upright. Very small steps, being careful to avoid the ice, while holding onto his lead. He's only a little dog, but boy does he pull. I won't be doing much walking this month unless we have a thaw. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip. ilona

26 comments:

  1. Where I live we have loads of seagulls,magpies and crows that swoop down every morning to see what I am putting out for them and it is cleared within about 10 mins!.Then I have to put some more out for the poor pigeons and sparrows that dont get a look in when the bigger birds are there.As soon as I go out on the front,they kick up one hell of a row,knowing that its feed time!.One of the big seagulls have been named Steven...after Steven Seagal..and he swoops down nearly to my head when I call his name...honest!!He sometimes even follows me when I go for a walk!xx

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    1. When I see a seagull I instantly recognise it. That Jonathan Livingston Seagull sure gets around.

      https://www.anquotes.com/jonathan-livingston-seagull-quotes/

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    2. I didnt know about Jonathan Livingston Seagull....so I will now name one of Stevens mates that he brings with him Jonathon!.And Im sure within a week he will know his name and swoop down to me,just like Steven does.Im sure the neighbors round here think Im tapped,but never mind,lol.xx

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  2. I think you just need to be patient Ilona. It takes a while for birds to 'trust'. I've fed birds for years and it took a while to build up numbers. If I move the feeding station or add something different they are wary for a few days. They are also quite choosy. Sunflower hearts are a great favourite.

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    1. A friend down the street gets loads at his feast, and he feeds them on the ground. Maybe they don't need to go anywhere else.

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  3. I'm not sure what is going on with the small birds. We used to have blue tits, great tits, goldfinches and sparrows but this last year we have not seen many of them at all. as for Thrushes, I haven't seen a Thrush in years around here, so sad.
    Briony
    x

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  4. How odd. My mother told me that , in the Midlands, the magpies had chased most of the little birds away.
    Here, (Washington State) if I put something out it would be gone fast, birds, squirrels and deer.

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  5. Be real careful walking. I just fell on a concrete sidewalk face first and I am a mess and in a lot of pain. At my age this is not a good thing to have happen but hopefully I will slowly recuperate. If not better in a week I guess I'll have to go to the doctor and the dentist. Blessings to you

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    1. I have just seen people walking past my house, very slowly and very carefully.

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  6. For those with less birds, a horrible thought, but are there any of those awful wind turbines nearby?

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  7. Ilona i do not think the small birds will come and eat from the ground or it is easier for them to eat from a bird table that is higher up it is more sheletred. On the ground it is easy for the cats to take them. Where I live it is not allowed to put food on the ground because of rats and mice who can destroy the electricity for example. I hope you understand my English. / Marianne Sweden

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  8. Ilona you can build a bird table so the birds get more sheltered away from the cats. Where I live it is not allowed to put food on the ground because of the rats and mice who can destroy the electricity for example. /Marianne Sweden

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    1. Previous years I always fed them on the ground. There used to be a feeding frenzy two or three times a day.

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  9. I have lots of birds the only trouble I can not see them very much, I cannot use the binoculars for my sight is minimum in the left eye. I find the sunflower seeds are the favourites.
    The birds do take a time to get use to the feeders.
    The sun has come back and hope it gets a bit warmer.
    Hazel c uk 🌈🌈

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    1. I used to hang feeders but they were never touched. Now I just scatter it around.

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  10. Maybe they've found a natural source of nibbles somewhere. My crab apple tree in the garden, full of little apples, is full of birds, on it, around it and under it. Big birds, little birds and medium sized birds, all sharing together. Gives me some entertainment from the living room.

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    1. I think the natural source is my friend Barry's garden. He spends a lot of money at the pet stall in the market. They come flocking to his concrete patch just outside his window.

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  11. They most likely remember that you have cats and are thinking this is a cunning trap to save you from having to go out to buy some Kit-e-Kat ;-)

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  12. We have loads of sparrows and various kinds of tits.They feed from the feeders which are hanging from a hedge.They don’t like to feed in open areas.Unfortunately the squirrels have discovered the feeders.

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  13. Hi Ilona Mayze and Oscar I have a seagull who calls every day like clockwork I call him Doug and he is rather sweet he bangs the french doors with his yellow beak and I always give in to him as I rather like him. He is a character although Benny not too keen. When Doug calls Benny runs to the side of the house to get away from him. I only feed the birds if the cats are in otherwise no I dont want any casualties. Hope you and the fur babies are fine. Love Liz Amy and Benny.xxx

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  14. we have alot of birds that like our suet food and other bird seed. Hopefully the birds will decide they want to try the food and eat it all up! It is 32 degrees, no snow. YET. Will see what happens. We don't usually get snow even though this week there is a warning for today thru Sat. Glad the dog didn't make you slip and fall. Take care and be happy!!!

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  15. I have many trees in my garden and many birds from jays to pheasant, wood pigeons , tits, spartows, wrens, jackdaws, house martins. I use a bird table everyday and yet i sat for two hours watching to record for the rspb birdwatch this year and nothing came! Im not sure if its the weather or what but something is going on. Very strange!

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  16. Ilona the birds will eventually come. the same thing happened to me however now I have lots of different species of birds around the feeders, in fact I have had to increase the amount of feeders that I have put up to cope with demand. Once they start to come you will find that they then tend to rely on on you feeding them and will come every day

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