These so called black headed gulls are actually more a chocolate brown colour. For most of the year they have a white head but are definitely not sea gulls.
Black headed gulls are sociable, quarrelsome, noisy birds.
Sunday 31 October 2010
Friday 29 October 2010
Useful Tips for Feeding Wild Birds this Autumn
I was reading an interesting article giving useful tips for feeding wild birds this autumn.
Some of the most interesting new products are those formulated to attract specific types of birds. I’m particularly enthused about Suet to Go Pellets, which provide the benefits of a vital cold weather bird food without the mess of trimming fat from meat.
Read the article here at That BirdBlog
Tuesday 26 October 2010
Two Chicks Taking A Bath
Earlier on this year when I was in the garden after feeding the wild birds, I noticed a couple of little birds taking a bath in one of the water containers.
They looked so sweet but I am not sure what type of bird there were. Maybe blue tits? Any suggestions?
Federal Duck Stamp
I came across this interesting article about the Federal Duck Stamp.
The competition to choose the best artwork has been won by Artist James Hautman, from Chaska, Minn for his acrylic painting of a pair of white-fronted geese.
The stamp, which all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older must possess, is produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will go on sale in late June for $15. The stamps also allow free admission to any public national wildlife refuge.
Purchase of the stamps, also prized by philatelists, birding enthusiasts and conservationists, helps to support migratory bird habitat, raising about $25 million annually to fund the acquisition and preservation of wetlands for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1934, sales of Federal Duck Stamps have helped to purchase nearly 6 million acres of wildlife habitat for the system.
What an amazing painting!
You can read the full article here at: Los Angeles Times
Friday 22 October 2010
Beautiful Sea Gulls
When I'm in my garden Feeding Wild Birds I often see seal gulls flying overhead. I love sea gulls and think they are very elegant as they whirl around the sky.
I often take a walk by the river with my partner and he loves to photograph the wild river birds.
photos credit Richard Cammell
Wednesday 20 October 2010
Feeling Good About Fattening Up
Just read an interesting article about feeding wild birds high-calorie, high-fat foods to help them survive during the winter time.
Food is the most essential element to providing birds with the energy, stamina and nutrition they need during the winter months. To stay warm, birds will expend energy very quickly, some losing up to 10% of their body weight on a cold night.
Read the article here at: Wild Birds Unlimited
Sunday 17 October 2010
Ugly Duckling
Feeding Wild Birds
Sometimes it is nice to take a walk and see the Wild River Birds.
This is a young mute swan having a swim on the river with her mother. She may be an ugly duckling at the moment but some day soon she will be a beautiful elegant white swan, just like her mom.
How Do Birds Choose A Mate That Isn't Related?
Feeding Wild Birds
I was reading an interesting article about how birds know how to choose a mate that is not related to them.
Image via Wikipedia
By October most Eastern Bluebirds have completed a molt to replace old feathers with new. The tips of the new body feathers are brown and make all the bluebirds appear a bit duller in the winter. However, young bluebirds can still recognize their family just like we recognize our family members. They tend to stay together and join other bird families to form winter flocks. These flocks can be as large as 100 birds but typically range from 5 to 20 birds. Then in the spring, the young will move from the parental territories eventually to another location before choosing a mate. This is called natal dispersal and reduces the chances of inbreeding.
Read the full article here at: Wild Birds Unlimited
Saturday 16 October 2010
Backyard Birds Benefits
The article below explains the benefits of feeding wild birds and attracting them to our gardens.
Backyard birds have a distinct social life. They build the most artistic and best equipped home. They entertain extensively and have many social gatherings. Their family life is exceptionally moral...though there are a few polygamists among them. Divorce is rare.
Read more at: A Home For Wild Birds
Friday 15 October 2010
The Tufted Titmouse
If you live in eastern US or southeastern Canada you may have seen the Tufted Titmouse whilst Feeding Wild Birds.
The Tufted Titmouse are year-round residents in deciduous or mixes woodlands, gardens, parks, and scrub lands. They range over most of the eastern US, parts of southeastern Canada and are expanding their range northward.
Read the full article here at: The Bird Feeding Station
Wednesday 13 October 2010
Oystercatcher by the River
Feeding Wild Birds
You can see more river bird photos here: Wild River Birds
Had a walk by the river and spotted this Oystercatcher. His long orange beak is very useful for catching the cockles and mussels that he loves to eat.
You can see more river bird photos here: Wild River Birds
Friday 8 October 2010
Ducks on the Lake
Feeding Wild Birds and Ducks
I took this photo of the ducks on the lake at my local park. I was pleased with the photo as the ducks all came out fairly clearly.
They look like they are having fun!
Thursday 7 October 2010
Top 40 Bird Species Most in Need of Help
When you are feeding wild birds today spare a thought for the endangered species.
The article below by the RSPB reveals the top 40 bird species in the UK most in need of help
Male hawfinch - Steve Round
More and more bird species are facing an uncertain future. The RSPB has today [Monday 4 October, 2010] identified the top 100 species in the UK that most need help to maintain their status. Forty of these have been prioritised for immediate action by the RSPB, but the society is today asking for help from government, industry, other charities and the public to provide a future for these birds.
Read the article here at The RSPB website
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Posh Bird House
Here is something to brighten up your day when you are feeding wild birds
Details here at A Calander of Colurs Blog
Monday 4 October 2010
Golden Sparrows
Just read an interesting article about Golden Sparrows.
I have never seen any here in England but they are apparently closely related to the common House Sparrow.
They are so pretty too.
Hailing from Northern and Eastern Africa, Golden Sparrows are closely related to the ubiquitous House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), and indeed have hybridized with this species in captivity. Female Golden Sparrows resemble their common, somberly-clad relatives somewhat in color.
Read the full article here: The Care and Breeding of The Golden Sparrow
Sunday 3 October 2010
Knitted Pigeon
This little chap wouldn't take much feeding!
This stuffed pigeon from Various Projects is hand-knit from alpaca wool-- a soft, cuddly version of New York's native street bird.
You can see it at Various Projects
Well I think it's funny!
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Feeding Wild Birds
Hummingbirds are a great favourite and the video below shows a female ruby throated hummingbird.
You can hear the humming sound that her wings make.
Enjoy!
Saturday 2 October 2010
128 Days of Hummingbirds
Feeding Wild Birds
Hummingbirds are so lovely but where I live in the United Kingdom we do not see them.
In the article below, the author talks about how long the hummingbirds stay in her back yard and how long they are away in their winter home.
As much as I keep track of the arrival and departure dates of hummingbirds, I never really stopped to figure out the length of time hummingbirds are present in my yard and how long they're in their winter home. What I found surprised me.
Read more here at the Zen Birdfeeder
Friday 1 October 2010
Do Birds Sunbathe?
On a hot sunny day when I have been in the garden feeding wild birds, I have often seen birds just laying on the lawn with their wings stretched out.
The first time I saw a bird laying out on the lawn, I thought it was dead. But then I saw it move.
Below is an article that explains why birds sunbathe.
Bird sunning is a relatively common behavior, but the exact reasons why birds sunbathe vary. It can help get rid of feather parasites, regulate body temperature or dry off after a bath. Some birds even seem to sunbathe just because they enjoy it! Bluebirds, titmice, doves and other species regularly sunbathe, and birders can help the birds stay safe while sunning by keeping cats indoors and providing a good location for sunning.
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