Egypt4u

We will have to keep a close eye on those eggs

I'm expecting to see a clutch of chicks out there any time!

I think there may be some activity going on, we must keep a close watch on the nest

I knew it! I was woke up at about 4am this morning hearing these birds fussing about. Wasn't sure what was going on but I was also hearing some peeps outside when I was making coffee this morning. Sure enough there was a ball of fuzz out there when I took a quick look in the nest. Pretty sure mom and dad are protective and proud so I didn't stay too long however can say that the baby has the classic short sharp bill (read on Wiki the bills don't grow longer until the chicks grow up)!!

I concede defeat on this one I haven't got anything to offer, just a few boring pics. But I challenge you to get some movie of those cranes LLL. Here is a little clip of the robin and blackbird deciding the 'Pecking Order'

Grandad, I only have this video that she sent me last winter when they had deep snow in Canada and recorded in her back garden, but it was filmed by a Japanese neighbour of hers

Oh yes! I recognise two of those as the ones in LLL's back yard

Wow! What a surprise, I went out with the jam sandwiches for the foxes this evening and found this fellow hiding amid the hostas.......I let him have the sarnies

Soon as that baby chick hatched out this morning and started peeping this guy appeared! Hopefully the chicks can hide and keep away from those talons.



Am happy you got that wonderful video H of the dancing cranes. They're truly elegant!

AND @ Grandad you definitely DO have those birds trained! They'll be doing tricks for you soon! Really cute and no doubt as to who is the boss in the backyard. I'd of handed over those sarnies too. You never can tell where King Kong happens to be hanging out Looks pretty formidable out there amongst the hostas!

Just an update on some of the garden friends. Some are getting very friendly knowing who is in charge of the mealworms

This is 'George', he absolutely follows me everywhere until I give him a little treat.


This is 'Fred'. He takes his daily bath and chases off George if mealworms are available.


'Molly' is becoming more friendly now. I call her Molly because as kids we always called Hedge Sparrows (or Dunnocks) Molly.


This is 'Pita' (pain in the ar*e) or one of the many Pita's, squirrel kits. Despite my additional wirework they can still get into the fatballs but as they consume up to 4 balls a day they will soon be just too fat to get through

Nice photos of your birds Grandad, by the looks of George you are feeding him well

Great pics Grandad

You've got a whole FLOCK! Great photos and it is amazing you can get that close. I'll try and get a photo of the Robin that hangs about out here. He/she has a complete red breast. Somewhat friendly in that there is a wary eye always on me and in my direction but he/she will fly in a heart beat if I move. I haven't got the camera focus'd on the humming bird feeder yet as I'm still hoping they'll get used to coming to it. Meal worms are definitely an enticement (but am not sure I'm going to go into the meal worm business myself)

Somebody was eating something out of my seed feeder cause I can see some seed on the ground but I haven't specifically seen anybody out there sitting on it yet.

Mrs G is beginning to get rather annoyed that I have encouraged some of the birds with mealworms. If we leave the backdoor open, George (the robin) and Fred (the blackbird) can see me at my desk and come inside to beg for their breakfast, lunch and supper My lady is not amused
When I go outside I now have 4 birds (George, Fred, another robin and the Dunnock) that come down to me with George and Fred eating from my hand

This is greedy Fred who I believe still has a nest to feed

And just for the record I am adding my collage, of birds seen, to this thread.

Not too sure I'd be pleased with birds coming around looking to mooch a meal of mealworms inside the house either. They're definitely leaving with a beak full too.

With all the birds on the collage you're definitely throwing down a BIG challenge to match the diversity!

I don't keep the worms in the house LLL, they are in my workshop outside Along with mixed seed, peanuts, finch seed, corn on the cob, fat balls, and dog food. Costing me a fortune these garden visitors.

@ Grandad - are the peanuts in the shell? or shelled? and who is eating them?

What about the T bone steaks then?

LovelyLadyLux wrote:@ Grandad - are the peanuts in the shell? or shelled? and who is eating them?

Shelled,LLL, and I put them in a feeder with a small mesh for the tits and others to nibble. I occasionally put small handfulls on the bank for the foxes. Like badgers, they love peanuts. I also occasionally scatter some for the squirrels to find. They are about £2.50 /kg at the garden centre where I buy all the feed so I am not too generous scattering them around Mixed wild bird seed is cheap at £0.85/kg when I buy a 20kg bag for £17, and fat balls are £0.17 each when I buy a tub of 50.

Horus wrote:What about the T bone steaks then?

I haven't had one for years Horus but the foxes are doing fine on jam sarnies. Here are pictures of each cub this evening with mum. Almost as big as her now...