27th January 2021

Posted on January 27, 2022 by pennyphilcox

Goldfinches-There wasn’t too much to see at Old Moor RSPB (near Barnsley) this week but the Goldfinches were wonderful. On the increase recently, these beautiful birds feed predominantly on seeds as adults, though they are fed a paste made by the parents when young. They have a special adaptation on their bills which helps them tackle small, hard seeds from thistles, teasels etc. Their upper mandible has grooves of varying sizes that help hold the seed in place while the sharp edge of the lower mandible cracks the tough outer case, which is discarded, giving quick access to the nutrient-rich inner seed. Only males have long enough bills to reach into the teasels well-hidden, tiny seeds. Teasels of course were used in the cloth industry in the past. The spiny heads were effective at raising the nap of the cloth and to tease out the tangles in raw wool. Conditions: Cool and cloudy but mainly a dry period still. Temperature: Max 9 Min 2C.

21st January 2022

Posted on January 21, 2022 by pennyphilcox

Jay food-caching– you are probably familiar with Jays caching acorns- hiding them in various places for a time when food is harder to come by. They can collect up to 9 at a time, carrying them in their gullet, but usually collect 3-4. Intelligent birds, like all the Crow (Corvid) family, they have been shown to have good memories of their cache-sites but they do better than this. Studies have shown that experienced Jays, ones that have had caches burgled or have themselves burgled other Jays’ caches will note if a creature has found one of their caches and will move the cache, while keeping an eye on the thief. Less experienced Jays will not do this, so it is a learned and remembered behaviour! Because they don’t always need all the acorns stashed they of course contribute to the spread of Oak Trees, which is a great bonus for other wildlife and future generations of Jays. Acorns have not done so well lately so Jays are venturing onto garden feeders more nowadays, though they will also feed on insects, eggs, baby birds and bats, seeds and fruit. This Jay has been caching peanuts– something that has obviously happened through visiting gardens- how well peanuts will last in their hidden spaces, I don’t know- not as long as the tougher acorns I guess. Conditions: Along spell of dry, still and cold weather, a bit warmer today due to cloud. Temperature: Max 7 Min 3C.

16th January 2022

Posted on January 16, 2022 by pennyphilcox

Coal Tits: The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) report that breeding numbers in 2021were low for these timid garden birds. Less colourful than the other garden Tits, they are still beautiful and fascinating to watch. They have some different habits than other common Tits- they cache some of their food and, because they are less dependent on caterpillar emergence for food during breeding periods they are more likely to have two broods a year. Despite this, last year was not good- they think maybe, as with other birds, the wet, cold May affected the insects available during even their more flexible breeding season. I love them coming to the feeders but they rarely do so when there are bigger, noisier birds around, and when they do come they usually grab a seed and fly off either to eat it in a sheltered place, or cache for later. If you don’t have them in th garden, look out for them in conifers or, in winter, in mixed flocks of Tits Conditions: A spell of still, sunny, cold days which will help reset the seasons a little. Temperature: Max 8 Min 1C..

8th January 2022

Posted on January 8, 2022 by pennyphilcox

Adaptive behaviour- Over the decades several bird species that visit gardens have learned new behaviour to take advantage of bird feeders. Robins can now cling to feeders, some Blackbirds can hover next to feeders and grab seeds, fat and peanuts, and Bullfinches now come most of the year to supplement their diets. This year we have also had the pleasure of watching the delicate Blackcap return after learning to feed on fat and seeds last year, and for the first time watched a Collared Dove fluttering while it grips a feeder and pecks at seeds and a Jay learning to cling upside down onto the wires of a feeder full of peanuts in our neighbours garden. This sort of adaptation certainly helps some birds sustain themselves, especially as food sources in the wild have reduced and more people put out food year round. Our supplies of food through the cold spells of winter are particularly valuable as a supplement for those birds that rely on insects, or winter foraging of wild nuts and seeds. Conditions: Cold, some snow flurries yesterday and much rain today. Temperature: Max 7 Min 2C.