Sunday 21 April 2013

Weekend Round Up

New Feeding Station News

It was a rather early start for me and my mum on Saturday (half five), because I was going to my new feeding station to put up some of my new feeders and supplies from Adrian (from a bird feed company), Sam (from mum's work) and the brilliant BTO. They had all heard about my vandalised feeding station and had sent me some supplies to get started again. It really made me feel positive again to see how kind and generous they were.  

On the way there, through the frosty fields, we saw two foxes together that ran off into the wood as we approached. 


We came back to the feeding station in the afternoon after football to see how the new feeders were, and to my surprise all of the new feeders had been used.

There were a pair of Treecreepers that stayed with us all afternoon and all morning, and because we stood still, they seemed to cautiously approach us. 


This is one of my favorite feeders, me and my dads home made tray, the birds love it, in-fact there was a male Blackcap that went to go on it but then thought "oh there's an insect" and ate that instead. The hanging feeding tray is on a pulley system, so we can lower it if we need to.


And here is the insect munching Blackcap.


As we headed back to the farm we saw about ten to fifteen to twenty Swallows, they are one of my favorite birds to look at. These two were having a mid air tussle.


Frodsham Marsh News

I visited Frodsham Marshes on Saturday afternoon as well, and when we reached the top of the six tank we saw a male Marsh Harrier quartering the reed bed.


I also met up with Guido, who was watching a flock of about twenty Wheatear joined by two Whinchat, as shown by the picture below. If you click on the picture it does go bigger.


Here is a male Wheatear.


On the way back along six tank we met up with Bill Morton who was half way up the bank hiding in the bushes, but not that well camouflaged as I could see him.

 Ringing News

It was dads turn to get up early today - 4:15am this time!

Even though Wheatears look cracking through binoculars, today I had one in my hand and trust me I nearly fainted, they were absolutely beautiful. Today's count also included  Blackcap, Wren, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Blackbird and Chiffchaff.

I'd better not mention dad fallen over.

Football News


Finally we won 5 - 4  against Tytherington on Saturday.  We now should have a good chance of finishing third in the league. My 2nd cup final match is next weekend. 

Hope you all had a brilliant weekend too.

Our World Tuesday

8 comments:

  1. oh, glad you have a new feeding station and it's already being used! so sweet of folks to donate to get you going again!

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  2. Another wonderful post to read Findlay.
    I loved seeing the Foxes and that fantastic Swallow flight shot... good luck in your next cup final.

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  3. Thank you for a wonderful post! Good news about the new feeding station. Congratulations on holding the Wheatear! Great photos.

    Have a good week!

    --Wally (Florida, USA)

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  4. Good news on the feeders. Nice to see your spring birds coming in.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  5. So glad the new feeding station is a success and that those kind people helped you out. It sounds like you had a very good weekend and packed lots of things into it too.

    Amazing to hold a Wheatear!

    Well done on the football and good luck for next weekend. Hope dad was unhurt!

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  6. Great mix of news here.
    Great series of captures.

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  7. Great report! I am glad you were able to get your feeder station back up. The swallow shot is cool! Happy Birding!

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  8. Great post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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