Siskins return

A nice surprise this weekend.

On Friday my wife spotted a Siskin on the feeders, just the one so I didn't think much of it, but then Saturday we had anything between 4 and 10 on the feeders at any one time.

We haven't had Siskins for about 2 years now in these numbers and I hope they stick around for a few days more.

Here are the first couple of shots I got:

The other birds seen where Robin, Great & Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock and Goldfinch shown below:

Blue Tits are always great for a nice pic:

I will be so glad when we get a bit of decent light, as you can tell from these shots its still pretty dull at the moment.

I have also booked a break to the Carngorms which I can't wait for as I am determined to see and photograph a Crested Tit.

Hope you like the pics.

Mike.

Siskin

Hi all,

Feels like a long time since I have added anything, just haven't had the weather or time really.

To make up for it I hope you like these few shots I took in my garden today.

The 1st two shots are of a Siskin (we have 2 which visit regularly and I am hoping for more) last photo is a goldfinch.

Photos taken with a Nikon D70 + Sigma 170-500mm lense

I am hoping to get back to posting more now and commenting on all your blogs, I have been visiting just havent had chance to comment.

Mike.

New arrivals

We had a quick trip to Martin Mere this afternoon to check out if the geese had started to come in, I'm glad to say there are thousands, mainly Pink Footed Geese and you could see them coming in far off in the distance.

I may have said it before, but I will try and video them coming in, the sound is amazing and quite relaxing.

Autumn watch is normally filmed at Martin Mere, but sadly this year they are trying somewhere new.

Another new arrival that surprised me this morning was this Siskin, it was sat on the feeder tree along with 7 or 8 Goldfinches, I don't recall seeing them here this time of year.

All photos taken 28/09/2008 with Nikon D70 + Sigma 170-500mm.

The last Siskin

Well it looks as though all the Siskin are disappearing for the up coming spring, about 2-3 weeks ago we had 10+ at the feeders sometimes out numbering the Gold Finches.

The Siskin shown below appears to be the last one and this is the first time I have seen it for a few days now.I am now back to the Gold Finches which are still appearing in numbers of 12+ heres one from this afternoon.
I even tried an in flight shot and with really poor light this is what I got, rubbish shot, but as an arty feel to it.And finally a Collared Dove, we currently have 4 that visit regularly and a great bird they are too.All photos taken 25/02/2008.

Bird Count

Sorry if the photos of Goldfinches and Siskins are getting a bit boring, but they are the only birds that are on the feeders in great numbers, I think theres that many of them everything else is staying away.

Apart from a group of Collared Doves which are a bit of a pain.

I decided anyway has I missed the Great Garden bird count last weekend I would do it this weekend just so I have a record for next year.

The count I got is as follows:

Collared Doves x 6 no
Great Tits x 2 no
Blue Tits x 2 no
Chaffinch x 3 no
Robin x 1 no
Dunnock x 1 no
Siskins x 8+ no
Goldfinches x 12+ no

Hopefully I will be taking part in the next official count, but at least I will now have something to compare against.

The only shame was about 10 mins after my hour was up I had a Greater Spotted Woodpecker on the feeders, but that the way it goes I suppose.

The Usual

Just the usual garden visitors today i'm afraid, I had originally set out to go and photo some WADERS at Crosby beach, but the sea was too far in and the wind was unbelievably strong and cold.

I sat out in the garden for about half an hour or so until I got too cold.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day down the coast.

Here are the shots I managed to get:

1st Siskin was way up high in the tree so I was please with how this turned out.


This Coal Tit just wouln't move away from the twig sticking up, it visited a few time and landed in the same spot every time.

Siskins return 2008

Finally my 1st blog of the year, weathers been that bad I haven't been able to get out and do anything.

After poor numbers last year when I only counted 1 or 2 Siskins, this year they have returned in greater numbers and I now have between 6 & 10 that are constantly either on the feeders or high up in the trees behind my house.

More Pics HERE