Through My Lens... Goldfinches feeding and fighting

As I've mentioned before I love to feed the wild birds and today I thought I'd show you a brief glimpse of the usual shenanigans that go on at just one of my feeders.

This feeder is a favourite of the Goldfinches.

There are so many visiting our place now... I've actually counted a flock of 32 at one stage. 

The birds obviously approve of the sunflower hearts.

I have to replenish the feeder daily because they are hungry little b*****'s!

The sunflower hearts are an excellent source of energy and because they have been striped of their    husks, they are cleaner and an excellent souce of energy.

It can all start off quite polite and genial, but then it can suddenly go pear-shaped. 

Someone might be taking too long on the perch or pushing in unannounced... then it all kicks off!

Feathers fly!

There really isn't any need for this nonsense, because I have three other feeding areas dotted around the house... all with numerous types of various food.

You may notice that the field behind is covered in frost.

That's because we woke up to -5C this morning. 

Yes, that's not a typo... its a minus!

It's barely risen above minus degrees all day and now it's actually dropping once again, so no wonder the little birds are panicking and eating for all their worth.

They actually have to eat 30% of their body weight in order to survive. 

Which reminds me I must put in another order for more seed soon. 

Here's another of my little visitors.
The robin.

We currently have four dotted around, but this one seems to be extremely camera shy. 

This happens to be the nearest that I've ever been able to photograph him.

Sometimes, I think he's just toying with me because he can come and sit right where I've been, as soon as I leave. I'm determined to get a good photo of him one day.
Wish me luck...

And finally some visitors who have decided to stay nearby for the time being.
I know realise that geese can be incredibly vociferous!

I'm thankful that they haven't found my seed yet.

I'm linking up with Mersad's Through My Lens.

There's lots of great photographers over there if you want to visit then click here

I hope your Monday has gone well and the week just gets better.

Have fun and I hope to see you again soon

Goldfinch... Paint Party Friday

Hello... I'm back.

Phewph... October was quite a month and I certainly wouldn't want to go through that one again.

As you can imagine I haven't had any time for art, but yesterday I decided I needed to start... somewhere.

I was finding it difficult to even contemplate what to draw and was feeling worse for procrastinating. 

So I decided to just start and see what happened. 

This little chap is what appeared. 

We have lots of birds visiting us each day and the Goldfinches are the most numerous.

I used my Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils and once again wasn't really too enamoured with them. But at least I made a start. 

Hopefully I can now get back to my other projects.

Here's a photo from a previous blog post showing some of the hungry little feathered visitors.

I do have some exciting good news to share with you.

My daughter has had one of her designs featured in the new Not On The High Street TV advertisement. 

I think it's a great advert and have attached it below, just in case you haven't seen it yet.

See if you can find a Grumpy Owl card in there.

As it's Friday I'm linking up with the Paint Party Friday link.

I'll try my utmost to get to visit everyone that has visited here in my absence.

Thank you so much... it means such a lot to me.

Toodleloo for now and I hope to see you soon

xoxo

My Sunday Photograph... Robin learning new skills

 I'm aware that my blog name is Neesie Natters but I have hardly said a word all week 

(which is a phenomenon in itself)

andcan you believe it that here we are in March already?

I thought I'd share a few photos of my garden friends today. 

I watched this particular robin perfect a new skill... hovering whilst trying to feed.

He's obviously seen the other birds and thought why not?

He worked so hard it made me think that it was a lesson for us all.

Don't worry he received a bigger reward later... I placed new flat sticks into the holder and he was able it stand on one whilst indulging.

It's obviously his favourite treat.

 

If you'd like to see the photos in more detail then carry on skrolling down...

Have you got a favourite wildbird and do you have bird feeders?
Have a great day everyone.