For WHO's birders

[Nurse Ratched]

"I thought you might like this video.



It's a compilation of different birds singing. Beautiful photography. If you expand the 'title' under the video it gives a list of species and the times they pop up in the video. Most of the species are familiar to us in the UK, but there are some 'exotics' (the cranes - wow, what a noise!) It was filmed in Belarus. The guy has a channel you can subscribe to. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and maybe it'll take your mind off you-know-what for a few blessed minutes."

[plankton]

"Sorry to hear of your loss, Exeter. Much sympathy and condolences....it's tough as hell when you lose a parent. Both mine have gone so I know what you're going through. Be strong, the pain will go but the memories will last for ever."

[Nurse Ratched]

"Yes, Happy New Year to WHO'S birders and general nature lovers. The parakeets have discovered my garden in the last few days. They are surprisingly polite and seem to wait their turn for the feeders. Either that or goldfinches are more intimidating than they look."

[WHU(Exeter)]

"(and bee keepers, if we have any)"

[WHU(Exeter)]

"Same to you Zeb, Happy New Year to all of WHO's birders, sowers, seeders."

[zebthecat]

Happy New Year to all you fellow WHO birders.

[zebthecat]

"Saw a Red Kite cruising overhead today, First one I have seen since moving here 18 years ago and it was great to see it changing direction effortlessly with a mere flick of the tail. The Buzzards now have a new rival in the search for carrion."

[Mex Martillo]

"Well done Hammer, nice result. I am back home at my 90 year old Dads. He needs full time care now and my brother has to visit nearly every day. It's a nice break for my brother that I'm here for the week. I think its great Dad is still in his own house, even if most think we are taking a risk doing that. Anyway, birds, in my opinion, my brother exaggerates feeding the birds. He does it to entertain my Dad. I'd estimate a good kilo of seed, fat balls, worms go out every day. The finches, tits and robins are lovely, I must admit. However, there is a flock of fat pigeons that seem to live on my Dads house roof, that does not impress me. Squirrels and hate to think what get into the vermin proof feeders by hanging from adjacent branches etc. The grass under feeders is mud from all the wear of those little bird feet. Plenty of bird shit around, fertiliser? Has to be a good vermin population profiting from this. Vermin were into the seed in the shed, but now all is in vermin proof old plastic milk containers. For me its out of control! A blooming health hazard. But I going along with it. Easier that way. What do the WHO's birders think?"

[Hammer and Pickle]

Done. Hung around in the garden PREENING as I filmed. Altogether a highly satisfying result.

[Hammer and Pickle]

Exactly. Son insists on the release today so we’ll be performing the ceremony after breakfast

[lab]

I’d be inclined to release it now as it may become a little tame otherwise and be easily picked off by a sparrow hawk .

[lab]

I’d be inclined to release it now as it may become a little tame otherwise and be easily picked off by a sparrow hawk .

[Hammer and Pickle]

"So was watching the game and out of the corner of my eye saw a flying bird and then a thump on the window, which could have only meant one thing. So out I went to find a prone goldfinch that was still breathing but clearly in need of assistance. The younger boy, being good at this sort of thing, wrapped it up warm and, having ascertained nothing was broken, fed it sugar water with a syringe. Meantime, I dug out an old birdcage from behind the shed, cleaned it up and fitted it out in some berried shrub and spruce branches. The bird has settled down well and is on its second meal of sunflower seed and mealworms. I'm in two minds whether to release it tomorrow or wait until spring. Beautiful little fellow."

[WHU(Exeter)]

"Cheers Mex. He could see things, but only really close up, it was the leg pains he had though, that made it such a surprise that he did it all in such a short time for me. I mentioned cutting through onto the railway verge, and told him he could get in trouble for that. He ignored that and went on to plant potatoes in there, as well as a few flowers."

[zebthecat]

My local Tawny Owls are very chatty this week. It is one the many reasons I love living here.

[Mex Martillo]

"That is amazing Exeter. How do you do that when you can hardly see, hear and have a dodgy knee. What a star. I am sure he brought a lot of happness to a lot of people. Rest in peace"

[WHU(Exeter)]

"Toms, haven’t got any grass in the garden, aside from a couple small patches of ornamental grasses. Mostly just soil that’s ready to rumble already. Never had any problems with tulips, irises and dozens of other flowers, just the wildflowers, which in theory should be the easiest of the lot. Am going to follow Zebs advice this time and rake it up a bit."

[Tomshardware]

"Sorry for your loss Exeter. Good tips from Zeb. If it's your own garden then get some yellow rattle seed, it's a grass parasite that'll reduce the grass and give other wildflowers a chance. Also if your grass is getting long around April time give it a high setting cut so that the grass isn't swamping out the wildflower seedlings."

[WHU(Exeter)]

"Thanks for the kind words all and cheers as well for the tip Zeb. I do watch gardeners world, but missed his advice with the wild flower seeds. Will give that a go as some people have said you can just scatter them and that’s it, which is what I’ve been doing. Never get very good results, especially with corn flowers, which are my favourites. Roundabouts and where I’ve got in mind will be a doddle. I walk a long way home one night each week in the early hours, but in the event of getting questioned will be “just looking for one of my contact lens officer”."

[Mickey Rat]

"Not corny at all Exeter, sounds like a great idea to honour the memory of your Dad, you'll remember him whenever you see them and it will bring pleasure to all those who notice them even though they may never have known your Dad"

[zebthecat]

"That is so sad Exeter. It must be a punch in the gut. Wild flowers are a brilliant tribute to your Dad and it is great that he gave you a love of nature. As it happens now is perfect time to sow wild flower seeds - some of the seeds will need a thorough frosting before they will germinateI have turned my front garden into a wildflower meadow and it attracts all sort of insects. I sowed my latest top-up last weekend so have none left. I get mine from here https://www.wildflower.co.uk/. Not sure you'd get away with this on a roundabout (some Hi-Viz might help) but the best way is to first scalp the grass and anyhting else where you want to sow, scratch up the soil with a rake, sow the seeds and then tread them in. Seeing Monty Don do this on Gardeners World inspired me to give it a go and it works. It will be a fitting memory and give load of people pleasure."

[BeauLarkyBuff]

WHU (Exeter) Bless you and your dad mate. RIP. Will certainly do my best to spread whatever seeds I have wherever I can in memory of your dad.

[Hammer and Pickle]

Please accept my sincere commiserations

[WHU(Exeter)]

"Don't want to come across all corny, but... My Dad died this week, and I just wanted to ask a favour of other Hammers and couldn't think of a better thread than this. My Dad loved his gardening and he knew the names of so many birds as well. When he was really getting on, could hardly see anymore, or hear, and his knee was giving him real pain, my Mum and him had to move to accomodation for old folk and he was on the first floor. The communal garden beneath it was overgrown and grim. The next time I went down to visit a few weeks later, my Dad had transformed it into a really lovely garden, full of colour. A few weeks later, I was amazed to see that he'd then also done up the two little gardens either side. As well as cutting through wire, to get to a railway verge, dig up the undergrowth and plant flowers. I said ""Dad, that's amazing what you've done, I couldn't have done that"". He just replied ""it's a nice spread"" My Dad was my hero. Am going to throw loads of wildflowers all over the shop as soon as the weather's right. Roundabouts mostly I think. Going to make a nice spread If you've got any wildflowers......"

[BeauLarkyBuff]

"For the last couple of weeks we've had hoards of Goldfinches on our feeders and on the lawn beneath. 20 to 30 at a time. Never had them before. Spectacular little buggers, absolutely beautiful. Jackdaws have all buggered off now thankfully. Noisy, greedy bastards."

[SnarestoneIron]

Tomshardware 11:21 Thu Nov 16 Bloody jackdaws raid our feeders and take it all :-(