Hi Jack: When I retired I joined Barnes Wetland Centre and love going there - no way though am I an expert - still on a pretty steep learning curve!!

Have also been on several safaris to Africa and some of the birdlife (let alone other wildlife) is fantastic. I think it was being on safari which actually kindled my interest in birdwatching in this country. In September I am off to Zambia for the first time and all the information I have read about the area to which we are going suggests that the birdlife should be wonderful.

Looking at your profile, I should think the birdlife where you live is pretty good and you have it on your doorstep!!

Kind regards

Jane

Hi Jack and Violet: It was only after I had replied to Jack that I noticed the subtitle of garden birds/feeding, etc. - typical me only reading the headline and not the subtitle!!

I fed the birds throughout the winter - not a huge selection: blue tits, great tits, greenfinches, sparrows, hedge sparrows amd robins. I even had one or two enterprising starlings who had learned how use the hanging feeders (trouble is despite buying supposedly squirrel proof feeders - so did the squirrel!!) The pigeons and collar doves waited for the tiny bits which fell to ground or ground feeding food I also put out. I sometimes get jays in the garden too and other not so welcome members of the crow family, magpies and carrion crows.

Considering my garden is only about 30 ft. long and I have several neighbours with cats I don't think I do too badly.

Out on the playing fields at the back of my house, I regularly see goldfinches (the prettiest of our garden birds, I think), mistle thrushes, blackbirds, chaffinches, pied wagtails, starlings and the members of the crow family mentioned above.

In the summer we have swifts and house martins swooping in the air after insects. As Violet says it is amazing that they find their way to Africa year after year.

Kind regards

Jane

You know, I live in the country surrounded by fields and trees, I have feeders and water in my garden for the birds and all I get are sparrows! Did a count this afternoon and I had 26 sparrows, 1 starling and 2 wood pigeons. On rare occasions I get a great tit and a blue tit and on one occasion I actually had a chaffinch - I was so excited I nearly wet myself! I've got nothing against sparrows, I quite like them, but it would be nice to get something else as well.

Hello all - I have been interested in bird watching for years - everywhere I go I take binoculars - funny although I am a photographer I somehow never seem to take photographs of birds - I wonder why? Shall have to think about that one.
It's lovely to hear about your garden's collection of birds Jane. We do have all of those in our gardens and we have yellow hammers, wrens, siskins, pied fly catchers, tree creepers, long tailed tits and you mention the lovely Goldfinches. They usually come in a huge flock to browse the Thistledown - a wonderful sight. We do also have birds of prey around, buzzards and Golden eagles, kestrels and occasional merlin.I am surprised that we don't see many bats as there are plenty of trees around and I should think plenty of food for them. We do have some owls but not many. I fortunately don't have the
swifts and swallows nesting with me but they do nest across the road - they make such a mess!! I don't think people are too keen on them nesting on their house walls as I think it actually causes damage to the wall doesn't it?
Anyway what a nice site to visit.
Violet I love your little hedgies are they in your garden?
See you later
Iris

We're back from the pub, having dodged the remaining two babies who have found their way back to the nest at the front door. Thank goodness! Baby number 1 is practising flying round the front garden.
Sonmon, your birds might be juvenile blackbirds. I have some of them and they are huge and very cheeky, with a fondness for raspberries. This is just a guess on my part and I'm sure somebody with greater knowledge will give you the right answer.
Iris. I do have hedgehogs in my garden, but I'm sorry to have to admit that these ones are just a google image. I cannot yet upload my own photos, but following great help from Sabot9. I'm sure I'll soon be able to.

Wooow, the mail is coming in fast now , "what have I started," will get
back to you all with some anwsers soon,keep watching the birds !! Jack

Violet24: Shall keep my fingers crossed for your baby swallows!! Hearing about them is a bit like watching all the birds' nests they were following on Spring Watch - with all the drama and sad stories.

Keep us posted.

Kind regards

Thanks Violet, but unless they change their shape as they grow, they weren't blackbirds - more upright stance and larger head.

Another question for you bird experts. A large, lightish, mottled brown bird of prey. Could it possibly be a buzzard? I always think of them as black, silhouetted against the sky.
Sonia

Jack again ...
Sonia I think your birds are young starlings, would have to see a photo of them to be sure ??
Your other question about the Buzzard, you get so many coloured birds
from dark to very light, its all in the shape of the bird, so I think
your bird of prey is a common Buzzard ..
Iris .. I never leave the house without my bins, as you never know
what can turn up, you must to get lots of good birds where you are
Golden Eagles and Merlins. you could get your wee bats later on in the year, aug, sept,time, let me know if you see any ..
Gary .. Have you ever flew a bird of pray, its wondeful ,have tried
hawks owls falcons, but never the big birds,like eagles, would love to give it a try .. Good birding to you all , take care .. Jack ..

Trevor, Do please let me know how you get on. (not with the knickers).

I've just been out of the front door and there are three small smiling faces looking down at me. Their make up is immaculate - White eye liner. They must practise flying during the day and come back to roost at night. Lucky I found out before I cleared up the poo.