BLACKBIRDS

[Jacksparrow]

I have not seen an adult Blackbird since last Friday. I spotted one fledgling lurking under my bramble today.

[Jacksparrow]

Here we are a whole 2 months later and my first post moult Blackbird put in an appearance this morning. All I know is it was an adult male as it decided there was not enough room in the garden for both myself and he. so departed.

[Placido]

You mean, you departed ?!?!?

[Jacksparrow]

You mean, you departed ?!?!?

Well it was either him or me and I like to show them who is the boss.

[greg]

Our Blackbirds have started to come back to the feeders. I counted 9 yesterday.

[Jacksparrow]

Most of last winter, spring and some of the summer I had a friendly male Blackbird which would come to the bird table with me stood there. He departed for his autumn moult and I hadn't seen him since, until today that is. It will take him a little while to get back to our former familiarity but already he is happy to hang around while I'm nearby and doesn't fly off when I speak to him. I am convinced it is the same bird as the markings on his beak are the same.

[Placido]

Oh, that's lovely, Jacksparrow
How wonderful to make pals with a blackbird, wish I could.
I've heard tales about their tameness, given time, but it's never worked for me.

A chap had a nest in the roof angle of his open porch and the M. blackie would perch on his arm/head/shoulder and he'd walk around the house with it quite happily sitting there. What a delight that would be !!

[greenfinch2]

My Blackbirds have not been seen for ages none on the dyke for fruit ,I hope they come back.

[squirrel]

I have plenty of Blackbirds again. At the weekend I noticed a male Blackbird trying to eat whole peanuts which I had tipped out of the coconut shell as they were soaking. I feed the whole peanuts to the squirrel and fox. It was frosty and snowing around Manchester last weekend and I realised the Blackbirds were lacking appropriate food as the Pigeons had eaten it all again!!

I went to Wilkinson's and got some ground feeder mix. It is a really good mix. It has oats which don't go soggy in the rain, sunflower seed hearts, ground peanuts and raisins. The Blackbirds and Robins were tucking in, not to mention the Sparrows. These are a new addition to my garden this year. I never had Sparrows until a few weeks ago when a pair turned up. They have obviously told friends about the food in my garden and more have come!

Also another good thing - the Pigeons aren't that bothered about eating the oats!! Yay!! - they still have a good go at the rest though!!

[Mike_k]

Just shows how putting out different types of food can attract different birds. I don't put anything out on the ground any more as unfortunately it was attracting rats :-( Shame really as it has cut down on what we see.