The RSPB on Club Together

 Hi Everyone,

With spring in the air and the birds beginning to chatter, I thought I’d share a story written by Adrian Thomas our Conservation Manager. He talks about his delight at hearing the song of Nightingales and their influence on some well known music both past and modern!

Nightingales - Thank You for the Music!

If you hear any Nightingales this spring be sure to share it with us here.

Welcome to Tania from me too. Good to see this section up and running again. 

Welcome  indeed  Tania,  I'm  looking  forward  to  all  the  info  you  can  feed  us  with  --  Hungry  load  of  bird  watchers / wild  life  lovers  on  'ere  !!

Welcome Tania,  looking forward to reading your posts.

Hi Tania,

Just heard from one of the CC members that some Rowan Trees are going to be removed from a shopping centre to provide more/better parking.  They are using the excuse that the trees are suffering from water deprivation even though there were berries feeding the Waxwings.  I have pasted a link below, perhaps you can investigate and ascertain is the RSPB are aware of this act of wanton destruction.

 http://www.willowbrookcentre.co.uk/outdoor-space-revitalised.php

Hi Tania, welcome.

Question for you and the RSPB.

We normally leave our feeders out and continue to feed seed to the others until the end of April and then stop for the summer, as I seem to recall somewhere that the RSPB prefer it if fledglings are fed on a natural diet of caterpillars etc. I know some people like to continue to feed their birds all year. What's the official RSPB position?

Hello,

We are sorry to hear about the removal of the Rowan Berry trees. Legally they are not allowed to remove the trees if there are birds nesting in them between March and September.

We would recommend that they replace the trees, if you are thinking of contacting them, do suggest they re-plant Rowan Berry trees even if in a new area.

I am sorry not to be able to help further but do let me know how you get on.

Hi,

Regarding feeding the birds in the summer. Although winter feeding benefits birds most, food shortages can occur at any time of the year. By feeding the birds year round, you'll give them a better chance to survive the periods of food shortage whenever they may occur.

We do advise that you stop putting out whole peanuts in spring, or put them out crushed or in a feeder where whole nuts cannot be taken.

Here is a link to our website which tells you about feeding at different times of the year:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/helping-birds/feeding/whentofeed.aspx

Best wishes,

Seeing  the  size  of  Raisins ( altho  a  'softer'  form  of  food ) they  are  often  the  size  of  peanuts  so  I  even  cut  them  down  with  a  small  pair  of  scissors  !

Just  found  the  way  to  get  back onto  the  Loch  Garten  Camera  Tania    --  I  have,  now,  to  go  via  "Carnyx  Flash"  to  get  a  full  screen  view  of  the  osprey  nest  --  and  I  will  keep  going  there  to  see  the  20 - year  old  female  EJ  back  for  her  15th  year  at  Loch  G.

Just  might  make  a  flying  visit  there  myself  before  too  long 

Some  Happy  Bunnies  on  here  today  { A3 size    please  !! }

So glad you are enjoying Loch Gartens' long serving female osprey - EJ - she has returned!

You can watch her on the Osprey nest camera here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/find-a-reserve/reserves-a-z/reserves-by-name/l/lochgarten/abernethyvideo.aspx

EJ is 20 years old this summer and this will be her 15th season at Loch Garten. Despite flying up to 3500 miles over the past few weeks she looks amazingly healthy and relaxed. She's a really amazing bird and I'm sure you'll all agree it's brilliant to have her back safe and sound. Let's hope that this year she adds to her tally of 25 successfully fledged chicks.