What have you seen

One of our neighbours leaves a half full large bottle of water standing up in the middle of the lawn and swears it works in keeping the cats away. Strange but quite a cheap way of testing it, albeit it looks weird.

 I never expected Waxwings this early, but what a treat.

Same tree in Beccles as 2 years ago....makes you wonder if it's the same birds each time.

Since we came back 10 days ago I've been scattering tea bags around the garden. It's been too wet to wander round to see if they are keeping the cat(s) away, although the rain will be doing that too I guess.

Something else to try, WN, thanks. I'll see how it goes.

I haven't uploaded photos before, but having a go to show our goldfinch with the white head/chest.  It does have a bit of black on it's head and a little bit of red at the front as well.  Hope the photos work!

a shot from earlier this year.They always visited in pairs!

Yes, we get quite a few pairs at the same time, there can be 12 or 14 goldfinches on the feeders at the same time.  It's what we get the most of actually, they go through the sunflower hearts in no time.  We buy a 20kg sack at a time, buying the small bags was no use, they didn't last!

We used to get goldfinches here but haven't seen any for years. Blue tits, great tits, coal tits, finches, blackbirds, starlings we have plenty of. I know there is a robin and wren around too but we do have a 'killer' cat next door, so I tend to have my bird table and feeders right in the middle of the grass so she can't get near them without them seeing her. 

Will try putting some fat balls in the trees to see if that will help encourage more birds and get some sunflower seeds to see if the goldfinches will return. 

I've only ever seen 1 wood pecker in the garden and 1 sparrow hawk.

It is a month since I introduced our little Scrag End to the forum. Unfortunately he/she has not improved in appearance, still looking ragged yet seems fit and has a wonderful appetite. It is not always possible to be sure the same bird is using the feeder over and over each day, but in this case all actions are clear to see.

I am not sure the little one has enough feathers to survive, but he will not go hungry.

Anyone know why the blue tit does not use the nest boxes for shelter during the winter, seems the best place to spend the night.

Amazing little survivor BM, hope all will be well. We've got a couple of new nest boxes to put up this winter, I assumed the Blue tits might use them. I know that Wrens pile in together for winter comfort so I'm careful not to move some of our brick and wood piles. Just looked up about Blue tits and the suggestion is to switch on nest box cameras and see if you have winter occupants (we only have an outside tracker camera.)