By Bernie Bell
All pics by McB
This time of year shows us another reason for leaving our grass to go to meadow – the meadow is full of little birds, gorging on the seeds of ‘weeds’ and grasses. The first pics are a bit muzzy, as they were taken through the window………….
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We can hardly keep up with the peanuts in the bird feeders – we reckon that the local baby starlings and sparrers must be just about 90% peanut!
And, while waiting to get onto the feeder, they sit on the fence and the roof of the bird table, tapping their little claws, impatiently……
Over 40 sparrows simultaneously on my two feeders today
The starlings seem to be such messy eaters while the carpet of sparrows fill the ground tidying up after them. We had a baby ring necked dove on our window ledge watching us the other day so I’ve named it Gogglebox!
I heard a very loud ‘CHEEEEP CHEEEEP’ and saw a baby sparrer going from side to side on the window sill, mouth gaping, begging – either from me (!) or from its own reflection.
A bit dim – cute, but a bit dim.
Dean – we’re still envious of your Rosy Starling. (If Orkney News readers are wondering what I’m on about – have a look here…. https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/133013273445588/ and scroll down to 8th July. Enjoy what you see on the way, too!)
The starlings seem such messy eaters while the carpet of sparrows fill the ground tidying up after them. We had a ring necked dove on our window ledge watching us watch TV the other day which was cute, I have named it Gogglebox. 😂
Another bit of bird-watching….
This morning, I was watching the birds, through the window. There was a young Stonechat – starting to get a bit of russet colour on its front. A young Pied Wagtail, flicking its tail importantly, whilst trying to steal a bug from a Dunnock – and the Dunnock reminded me of friend Paddy. Paddy is a keen bird-watcher, and also a musician – plays the fiddle. At one time he was in a band called ‘The Dunnock’s Dangling Donger Band’. I asked him what that was all about, and he explained about the Dunnock, and its….. relatively large cloacal protuberance.
Boys, will be boys.