More of a fun posting, and a chance to update on the Tree spugs we have, than an image for critique. Taken through our kitchen window (which has since been cleaned!).
These are six of the Tree Spug flock that we seem to have managed to keep from the summer by feeding a mix of millet and sunflower - I managed to count 16 individual TS's couple of days ago . That means we definitely had a couple of pairs breeding in summer as our own pair managed 7 chicks in 2 broods - and we've lost at least one chick to a Sparrowhawk .
The photo shows what happens if I let the seed feeders run out . The Tree Spug's take it out on the Goldfinch and evict them from the Niger feeder ~ obviously a TS beak must be delicate enough to get at the niger seed in the small portholes.
Having watched the Goldies struggle to get at the niger seed for the last few weeks (the collared doves have taken to hoovering up the spillage on the tray too ), I'm now going to have to get a 10 or 12 port niger feeder so that the Goldies stand a chance of feeding. Then it'll be time to get a few useable shots before the feeder gets dirty.
Posted by Philip Kirkham on September 27, 2006 at 10:52 AM
Congratulations Nick, that is a great success story with the Tree Sparrows, unfortunately we haven't any on the island.
Best wishes
Phil
Posted by John Chapman on September 27, 2006 at 11:28 AM
Hi Nick
nice story well done on your conservation.
John
Aberdeen
Posted by Larry Corbett on September 27, 2006 at 11:43 AM
Wanna swap..
We just get Grey Squirrels on the Niger feeder at the mo' , not that they can get any seed out..but am sure they're working up a plan
Posted by Michael Sayles on September 27, 2006 at 11:48 AM
Come on, confess - there's only one bird, and you're particularly handy with the clone tool.
Seriously, it may be fun, but I think it's a great shot.
Michael S
Posted by Malcolm Muir on September 27, 2006 at 1:24 PM
Wow, that's great Nick. They have all but disappeared from her. Mind you, we had no house sparrows ten years ago and our garden population is now up to 15 - so there may be hope. Seemed to co-incide with a move away from winter cereals, locally. Stubble fields are back.
Malcolm
Posted by Alan Woolnough on September 27, 2006 at 2:20 PM
I only seem to get the 'working class' spuggies in my area Nick, so it makes a nice change to see the posh versions.
Well done for encouraging these little chaps
Alan
Posted by Sean Bolton on September 27, 2006 at 4:24 PM
Corr blimey, my local sparrows won't touch the niger seed, only WWT blended husk free will do for them down here
I filled my niger seed up two weeks ago and so far only had one goldfinch pop in for a quick nibble..... Two winters ago I was getting cleared out every day by Goldfinches........
The House spugs never touch it Sean - only the Tree Spugs. And they only decamp to it when the VineHouse Farm mix is eaten up - so I can sympathise with you there!
The spug population seems to vary by city/country. While my parents have only a couple of spugs visiting their suburban garden we have a huge flock that helps support the Sparrowhawk through winter . I guess being near to some old semi-disused farm buildings has helped the overall spug population here as it provides a huge resource for places to nest in (not for the Tree spugs though) - before summer we had around 50 or so house spugs, since summer I've counted 76+ sunning themseleves in one hedge alone, and that is only a part of the flock. We must have more than 100 birds as there is another hedge in our front garden which usually shelters a load, and they also hang out in a couple of neighbours gardens too. So, anyone is welcome to a few of them . (You can't have any the tree spugs though )
Posted by David Kjaer on September 28, 2006 at 1:38 PM
Discussion
9 repliesMore of a fun posting, and a chance to update on the Tree spugs we have, than an image for critique. Taken through our kitchen window (which has since been cleaned!).
These are six of the Tree Spug flock that we seem to have managed to keep from the summer by feeding a mix of millet and sunflower - I managed to count 16 individual TS's couple of days ago
The photo shows what happens if I let the seed feeders run out
Having watched the Goldies struggle to get at the niger seed for the last few weeks (the collared doves have taken to hoovering up the spillage on the tray too
Best wishes
Phil
nice story well done on your conservation.
John
Aberdeen
We just get Grey Squirrels on the Niger feeder at the mo' , not that they can get any seed out..but am sure they're working up a plan
Seriously, it may be fun, but I think it's a great shot.
Michael S
Malcolm
Well done for encouraging these little chaps
Alan
I filled my niger seed up two weeks ago and so far only had one goldfinch pop in for a quick nibble..... Two winters ago I was getting cleared out every day by Goldfinches........
cheers
Sean
The spug population seems to vary by city/country. While my parents have only a couple of spugs visiting their suburban garden we have a huge flock that helps support the Sparrowhawk through winter
Wish I had your garden - nice shot!
David