Since Christmas I've had to buy bigger seed feeders because the ones I had were completely empty every night, I've also had to start buying seed in bulk to cope with the demand and to keep the cost down (buying 20kg makes it less than half price). I can't believe it was only a few months ago when I could count the birds visiting on one hand and was asking how often the seed needed changing and feeders washed. Now every morning at 6am I change 1 feeder and fill the rest which means every feeder is...

Due to working 7 days most weeks and the fact that it's dark when I leave the house and when I return has prevented me watching my garden birds over the last month but I noticed the food was going down much quicker than in the past. At last Christmas arrived meaning a whole week to catch up with the everyday lives of my feathered friends. I also get to play with the Nikon3100 I bought myself as a treat for stopping smoking and the 10x50 binoculars and guide to British birds my other half got me...

The squirrels were getting out of hand wrecking feeders so action was needed

I bought a free standing feeding station and fitted a baffle which up to now works a treat. As well as stopping the squirrels it's attracted some new birds to the garden ie. a couple of collared doves which are hilarious to watch and a nuthatch as well as bringing the woodpecker back so I'm really pleased with the purchase....

The shoulder is about 80% and it's time to go back to work so spending all day bird watching is about to end but this isn't the end of my blog or my new found love of birds, I can't call it a hobby because it seems to have taken over my life.

The last week has had it's funny and rewarding moments, the rewarding ones were enticing the tits back to my tree with a coconut feeder and watching one of the great tits not only check out but go inside and have the full tour of the nest box...

The last week has been my first test of patience and commitment to my new hobby. First the curry eating cats, then the neighbours washing (again) and DIY, and then the last of the berries on the tree at the bottom of the garden has made for some long days. Only the robin and a few magpies have been in the garden, but I stayed optimistic and continued to put fresh food and water out in the hope something would change.
I woke this morning to find the rain hammering on the window with a fond...