I've apparently got an all you can eat buffet!

I've got the same here (no photos unfortunately)

 

My mum did her first (and so far only) big garden watch bird count a few years ago. I asked her how many birds she'd seen over the course of an hour.

Just one, was the reply. She was most disappointed and couldn't understand why there'd only been one visitor.

What bird was it, I enquired... Hoping it would be an interesting one at least.

A sparrowhawk.

 

Marvellous picture, and to see it on just one leg too.

Can I ask though, when was the last time you washed the feeders? It's best to do them quite frequently to try and restrict the spread of disease.

 

I do try and keep on top of them I even bought some 'proper ' stuff to do it with

 

It is a faff, especially the squirrel proof ones. But definitely worth it.

Last weekend when we viewed a property we're hoping to offer on, we walked up to it a different way and discovered a protected piece of woodland, which according to the signs host bats, moths, and a lot of bird species, including Tawny Owls. We've had some fantastic sightings in our London garden, but I'm hopeful we might get more nature still moving out further.

 

Nah. It's only a tiddler when it's plucked.

 

We used to do a weekly bird watch competition during Covid i won it a few times, mind you feeding the birds brought the Rats, killed loads over the months, [ rats ], gerrin back to bird watching we had sightings of a rare bird brought loads of Twitchers, but i couldnt remember what it was, i just remember the Police aving summat to do with the travelling Twitchers, we had a few turn up at the Hotel, but had to inform em we were only open to key workers at the said time.

 

Went for a walk on the Leeds Liverpool canal Sunday and the amount of dead ducks, swans and geese was tragic. Especially between Bingley & Riddlesden.
Bird flu. Heartbreaking

 

It seems wrong to like that post, but yes, heartbreaking. Years ago we went to RSPB Minsmere and it was the height if the Bird flu outbreak. I hoped to see my first avocet, which I did. Several... Dead. Thankfully I saw live ones feeding too eventually, but seeing so many birds dead was so hard to see. Then similar around Lindisfarne a few years ago.

Did you report it by the way? Initially I think dead bodies were left, but more and more they are trying to collect them swiftly to try and avoid other animals picking at the carcasses.

 

Ah, it's been well reported in all the local groups. There was one man in a hazard suit collecting them at the Saltaire end, but they are dropping by the day.

 

Has it been badly affected before around that area? Each year it seems to be hitting different species, I just hope that means those already affected are building up some immunity so its jumping. I think it's jumped into a few mammal species too which we should all be very concerned by.

 

I recall a few 2, maybe 3 years ago ...... but this is as bad as it has been.

As I approach York on the A59 on my way to work there is a large red 'Bird Flu Control Zone' sign. The flippant part of me wonders how they will read the sign, but it is no laughing matter. It's spiralling :-(

It's on a par, emotionally, with the two days of Soldiers on Baildon Moor 20+ years ago culling all the sheep. Foot n mouth. It was village gala day and my nipper and others couldn't understand all the loud bangs and kept asking what was happening. There was no real way of explaining to 3 - 4 year olds :-(

 

It seems quiet up ere in Brid remember a couple of yrs ago the beach was awash with dead birds, walking the dogs was a mare.

 

I reckon the dead birds had slightly more of a mare than your dogs did!

 

Aye cant argue with that

 

The last time we went to RSPB Old Moor the wardens were telling us that they had to free a squirrel that got stuck in a feeder!

 

We once had 2 stuck in ours… really didn’t like being hosed!

Only been to old moor once, didn’t see much sadly but great to see bitterns such a success there.