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[CLKD]

Thanks!  My sister grew to hate racoons  ....... as for getting up early, been there, done that 

[viv]

Thanks for the tips. I will get OH to move the feeders to a more bushy area and then see what happens. I love standing watching them squabble over the food. Better than the TV
 
Not that its hard for anything to be better than the TV.

Viv
x

[ariadne]

Looked out to the bird feeders this morning and saw a sparrowhawk devouring a starling on my lawn. It was horrible and the starling was alive for ages while it was going on   What an awful death.

For a moment, I thought the sparrowhawk had caught Danny Dunnock who had been enjoying his breakfast a few moments earlier.

That sparrowhawk has been seen rather too many times recently in my garden. It made me feel guilty for feeding the birds - it's must be like a pick n mix for the sparrowhawk round that bird feeder.

[CLKD]

Yep.  We have a sparrow hawk regularly up and down the estate, it must be like being at Raymond Blanc's in our area  and today one took a bird from my friend's feeder whilst we were having our Friday cuppa ........ everything preys on something else 

[Taz2]

It is nature Ariadne - all birds are special but they all have their place in the world. It is unusual for the bird not to make a quick kill though - Sparrowhawks are adept at the quick neck break - or the pair who visit my garden are. The young are not too clever though and tend to practice on my feeders - very clumsy at the plucking business!!

Taz x

[ladyjane]

This is so uplifting

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/11/19/dog-nurses-kittens.aspx

ladyjane xx

[Trey]

ladyjane, that started my day.  wonderful!  Are we humans that humane?

[Blue]

Thank you ladyjane that was lovely and made me feel good.

[CLKD]

That was lovely 

I've had to mvoe a peanut feeder 'cos the grey squirrel was actively stealing the nuts  and sparrow hawks often don't kill cleanly .......... but usually the prey is in a state of shock so dies during the eating process ........ not nice but Nature is nasty at times 

[Cupcake]

Awww!

[CLKD]

Moved the squirrel feeder will be interesting to see whether he finds it 

Goldfinches are back 

[Trey]

Taking the feeders in each night and out again very early in the morning is getting to be a drag.  Hope the raccoon leaves for greener pastures (anywhere but my backyard).  I feel very 'nagged' by the cardinals who feed very early, before dawn, and late, just after dusk.  We now have three bluebird houses and there are pairs going in and out of the small opening and yet they do not nest until Spring and even early summer.  It is like they are laying claim to their homes.  These are hand made feeders meant to be sparrow proof.  The sparrows will take over bluebird houses and destroy the eggs so we sent away for these and so far, so good.  Lots of Goldfinches now and some Chickadees, and Titmouses.  (Titmice?)

[CLKD]

The sky is grey in one direction and bright blue in the other  snow is forecast for tomorrow and/or thursday so have bedded the chickens' in, put straw with the quails in case they ahve the sense to huddle in, put fresh bird food out ......... know where the wellies, hats, gloves, scarves are just in case .........  [time for the Winter smilies? ]

[CLKD]

Please put water out this morning.  A male blackbird was flying round all the watering stops in our garden, most of which were frozen so have been out with the kettle.  I need to shake all the feeders too after  ahard frost last night.  Birds are singing, sky is blue  ......... off to feed the quail!

[Cupcake]

Ice broken on the birdbath, seed dispensers refilled. I have sent OH for new supplies and also peanuts, as we get a lesser spotted woodpecker when they go up. Must make them a seed cake.