Gary Howard's birds and wildlife

Christmas found us mostly at home this year so for a change I got to see a bit more of what eats the various bird foods that are scattered around the garden, mostly hanging in a variety of squirrel-proof feeders. I was especially pleased to see that the Lesser Redpoll numbers had risen from the 2 that had been around since late November to 4 on Christmas Eve and then 10 on Christmas Day.

Ring-necked Parakeets are getting increasingly numerous in Orpington; I've had flock of over 50 flying over late summer. In the garden at least 4 are now occasionally trying to raid the feeders though rather unsuccessfully. I saw no Blackcap although most winters they start appearing in January. Goldfinch numbers are quite good - up to 10 birds, and Greenfinches look to be recovering from the slump with up to 6 present.

Lesser Redpoll

Goldfinch

Greenfinch

Ring-necked Parakeet