Blackbirds

[mothhawk]

There have been a few blackbirds in the garden all week, but today was an all time high - eleven blackbirds all in the garden together. And bear in mind that the garden is only 20 feet by twenty-five.

In normal weather the regular pair won't tolerate any other blackbird in their garden, but apart from a bit of half-hearted chasing, all eleven seemed to be fairly amicable.

I've been giving them crushed biscuits, oats and a seed mix, plus fresh water - in which they splash about even in this cold weather.

[donnakebab]

There's your answer. Your garden is a winter paradise and they are too busy enjoying themselves (staying alive) to fight over the abundance of resources.

Keep up the good work.

[Madasafish]

Maybe your garden is the new dating agency?

[scarey55]

We "rescued" a baby blackbird last year and released him into the area when he was strong enough. This year, we have loads of blackbirds in the garden looking for food. I am spending a fortune on sultanas (soaked) that they seem to love. My excuse to KK for the cost of the sultanas is - well, one of them might be "our" birdie

[Two_Sheds]

Soaked sultanas here too: water and food all in one

[Buleste]

This seems to have been a good year for Blackbirds. Usually in the BGBW I have about 4 or 5 but this year it was up to 12.

They all love the suet pellets and mealworms I get from B&M along with any seeds I can get.

[scarey55]

It was you who gave me the idea TS thank you.

[Nicos]

Our blackbirds have been enjoying some of our stored apples which we've cut in half !

[Jeanied]

Mine are all over the crab apple tree eating the fruit straight off the branch. It is a bright red variety which holds onto its fruit all winter.

[mothhawk]

Our blackbirds have been enjoying some of our stored apples which we've cut in half !

I chuck out all my apple cores for them too - the downside is dozens of apple seedlings in spring!

[pauco]

Numbers of Blackbirds are well up this year due to the influx of foreign birds from W. Europe, and if
cold enough as far as Russia.

paul.

[Jeanied]

Anyone seen any fieldfares yet? I had quite a few in the garden last year.

[pauco]

2 Fieldfare-3 Redwing-this week.


paul.

[pauco]

There have been a few blackbirds in the garden all week, but today was an all time high - eleven blackbirds all in the garden together. And bear in mind that the garden is only 20 feet by twenty-five.

In normal weather the regular pair won't tolerate any other blackbird in their garden, but apart from a bit of half-hearted chasing, all eleven seemed to be fairly amicable.

I've been giving them crushed biscuits, oats and a seed mix, plus fresh water - in which they splash about even in this cold weather.

Good on you MothHawk for keeping water out for them. As they need to bathe even in this cold weather, keeps their plumage in top condition to help keep em warm at night.

paul.