Garden Wildlife UK

Lots of blackbirds in the back garden this morning - lined up on the fence and on the grass. OH had scattered white bread about but there were squishy cherries and apple too

Today I was reminded why Blackbirds are my favourite birds. I spent most of the day in the garden doing some pruning, sitting at my patio table and hanging washing out. The birds came and went when they got the chance and I rested down away from the pruning area for a while. My main visitors were Blackbirds.

Whilst I was hanging out my washing, my special female Blackbird came into the garden ( the one who asked for help the other day). I was busy pegging so I didn't see her approach. It was her that told me she was there in the apple tree by making her little Tup, tupping noise. I looked up to see her and could see she wanted food which was about 2 or 3 foot from my feet!! I was talking to her quietly and she decided it was safe to come down with me there at the line. I felt really privileged. First she hopped from the apple tree to the handles of the long handled pruners which were balanced on top of the stepladder. Then she carefully hopped down all the steps of the stepladder to the lawn and then onto the ground feeder table. All the time she was tup tupping. I was going to retreat to the patio so she could eat in peace, but she was happy to eat with me at the line. I felt very honoured. Her choice of food was sultanas with the occasional suet pellet and small amount of sultana tea cake. It was the sultanas she was taking to feed young. All the BLackbirds - mainly males and I think one other female were collected sultanas too.

They all alerted me to their presence with their Tup, Tupping call, so I could move and let them feed. I think we had a good relationship. I pruned for a while, and rested and they are for a bit and went away for a while. I think even the Gold and Green finches joined in to a certain extent by making their noises and I heard and moved and waited and so it went on!!

I think you're very lucky to have a female blackie as a trusted friend, Squirrel, I really do.
Female anythings aren't half as friendly as the male. That's quite amazing .

Lovely story squirrel.

You have found yourself a real friend there Squirrel. I have one that behaves similarly but my main concern is that he will put the same trust in another person that he has with me and be abused.

My garden has become a Blackbird free zone. I haven't seen one all week.

Yes, just a couple here first thing and then no-show for the rest of the day.

It seems not all the have departed as I've seen two in the last couple of days.

Almost exactly a month after I last saw one I caught a glimpse of a Blackie this morning.

My first sighting this morn (I TOLD you The Moult was over ) - three blackies, 2 m, 1 indeterminate youngster, having an early baff. Day made