We have three jays making regular visits to pick up peanuts from a tray on the ground app. 4ft from our conservatory. There only ever two at a time and the third sits in a tree waiting for his turn. Occasionally they have to run the gauntlet of a squirrel also eating from the same tray - the squirrel usually wins! Each bird picks up 14 or 15 peanuts, just enough to fill his crop and beak, flies off and returns a few minutes later to collect some more. They are such lovely birds and it is a real pleasure to have them in the garden. My next wish is for bullfinches!!
Hi margot they are lovely birds aren't they, i'm getting one for the first time in my garden.
www.rspb.org.uk/.../615452.aspx
Good luck with the Bullfinches.
Regards Alan
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Earlier this week I had a pair of jays in my garden - couldn't believe it! They were clearing up spilt seed under the feeders. Amazing to get more than one.
:-)
Seriously thinking about trying harder!
The reason you get two of the three at a time is probably, one is their youngster. It gets chased off cos the parents are territorial. We have seen the same thing in our garden, where we have regular visits. They are attracted by the suet ball feeder. One of them can even fly from the trees about 30 metres away, and land strait on the hanger sideways, clever eh. We had Bullfinches nesting in the garden, but sadly the nest was destroyed. No sign of them lately, but hoping they return next year.
Take care all, Stich.
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