As you would expect the feeding stations have been very busy over the cold spell, below is average numbers over the last week.
G TIT 15+ [about normal] B TIT 20+ [as above] C TIT 5+ [there numbers have been low all year] L T TIT [only today have a party of 12+ appeared] CHAFFINCH 6+ BULLFINCH 15+ [numbers well up ? more males than females] GREENFINCH 4+ [numbers down] GOLDFINCH 12+ [better numbers than last year] NUTHATCH 5+ [have seen seven individuals in one day] DUNNOCK 4+ [numbers never fluctuate] ROBIN 8+ [only since cold spell have numbers increased] BLACKBIRD 4+ [low numbers] MISTLE THRUSH 1 [very poor, no song thrush at all] BRAMBLING 5+ [they were here today, been missing for two days, all female] REDPOLL 1 [there is one female regular with the other finches] G S WOODPECKER 4 [two pairs regular] JAY 6+ [counted 9 at same time,and they removed over a kilo of peanuts] COLLARD DOVE 2 [one resident pair] WOODPIGEON 4+ MAGPIE 2+ JACKDAW 2 [one pair who like the fat]
I have been feeding mealworm in cracks and holes in branches for Wren,Treecreeper and Goldcrest, upto press the Robins have had them all.
I get no Starling or House sparrow here and no sign of female Sparrowhawk that was regular last year.
Great variety of birds to observe it's like visiting a mini nature reserve.
regarding the mealworm, I found out my apparent "hayfever" was actually an allergic reaction to the mealworm and their dust, so i have had to stop feeding them. I miss what offering livefood brings to the feeders but I do not miss the cost involved particularly during spring!
All the best.
__________________
www.wildrossendale.blogspot.co.uk/ Go On...Go Wild!!
I buy in bulk on the net with free delivery to my place of work, which helps keep the cost down. Initially quite a large outlay but when you break it down it works out not bad at all, anyway thats what i tell my better half !.
One of the feeding areas is opposite my house so i can sit in the warm with feet up and never get bored, better than any telly.
Pity about the problem with mealworm dust, at this time of the year i am sure i can see a smile on the Robins faces when they find the mealworm.
