Posted to the The Tea Rooms forum
2 November 2009 1:01 PM
Hi Everyone,
As the weather was bad yesterday and I couldn't go out birdwatching I spent some time dismantling and cleaning all my seed feeders etc. What a job! Yes, I know I should do it more often. I will, I promise! I then put up a smart new feeding station, which is much taller than my old one and so hopefully will be safer from all the neighbourhood cats. (I have a cat too but he doesn't seem to bother with the birds on the feeders thank goodness!) I then filled all the feeders and stood back surveyed my handiwork. I assumed I wouldn't have any feathered visitors so soon and went indoors and forgot all about it.
Half an hour later I looked out of the window and saw that 'my' woodpecker is back. I was thrilled as I haven't seen it for ages. We had a pair visiting in the summer and I had all my fingers and toes crossed that they would come back. I would like to think that it was checking out the new feeding station, even though I know that the birds are usually suspicious until they get used to something new but it was in the lilac tree next to the feeding station so you never know. There are still leaves on the tree so I couldn't see it very clearly but I watched it work its way up through the tree and then fly off. Brilliant!
I am know hoping that it/they will be regular visitors and so I shall be watching out for them instead of doing anything useful around the house. ;-))
2 November 2009 1:07 PM
That's great news SB. It seems to be the "year of the woodpecker". Well, either that or people are simply noticing them more than previously, or they are being driven into gardens to feed due to a lack of food elsewhere, as the reports are coming thick and fast from all my "birdie" friends.
Nice one SB!! Hope that will be the start of many more!! (Any excuse to avoid housework is valid imo, especially when it comes to wildlife!!)
2 November 2009 6:10 PM
HI SB
Wonderful news, hope they do come back. Like you I'm another longing to have a woodpecker feed from the garden. There are at least 2 in our area but to date only one has been in for a nose.
Regards
Kezmo
"What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on?" Henry David Thoreau
2 November 2009 11:19 PM
OH sees green woodpeckers on the golf course and I am plotting to go and follow him around with my camera as soon as he reports having seen any. Not sure he'll be too keen on that idea though! lol!
3 November 2009 10:21 AM
Hi SB,
very excited because I've just seen my first great spotted woodpecker. It sat on my neighbours fence before flying to our bird feeder on the bird table and then quickly off across the garden. Really looking forward to seeing it again!
3 November 2009 9:05 PM
Sarum Bat: OH sees green woodpeckers on the golf course and I am plotting to go and follow him around with my camera as soon as he reports having seen any. Not sure he'll be too keen on that idea though! lol!
Offer to caddy he'll soon change his mind! lol
4 November 2009 12:01 AM
Caddying? Hadn't thought of that - good idea! :-)
Hi Feathers, Yes, they are lovely birds to see in your garden but I find that they are quite nervous. Always getting spooked by the slightest thing. Hope it comes back to you again soon.
4 November 2009 12:17 AM
4 November 2009 12:23 AM
Hi SB
Great news about the Great Spotted Woodpecker. They are a beautiful bird to have in your garden area. they just go mad for the peanuts and the fatballs (in the winter months). i hope yours is here to stay in your garden {smile}
it is a good excuse not to do any housework so I know what you mean {smile} Birds are so entertaining, and one never tires of them at all.
Kathy and Dave
Another day 'birding' means another happy moment in life
Regards Kathy and Dave x
4 November 2009 9:20 AM
Kezmo, just loved your suggestion to SB. Would like to know what the reply from your OH is, SB !
Our woodpeckers have not appeared as yet, although we have heard them, so I am jealous.