Garden bird feeders are full of character

Country Notebook

PRE-LOCKDOWN, I admittedly didn’t pay a great deal of attention to our bird table. At this time of year, a fleeting glance while getting ready to head off to the next agricultural show, or perhaps a polo lesson, was about as good as it got.

However, having been working at home for nearly three months now, with any social or sporting activities on pause, my interest in watching the feathers fly (quite literally) has really gotten off the ground. Waiting for the kettle to boil, or getting my legs out from under the desk for a stretch, I find myself drawn to the window, curious to see which birds are around and make sure that the squirrels are behaving themselves!

A few times, I have written in this slot about how our feeders have been a buzz of activity, with usually shy visitors such as the jay appearing to blossom in confidence over these past few weeks.

While the virus restrictions may be easing, we are still being urged to stay at home as much as possible, so my bird observations are becoming ever more analytical. It’s fascinating to see what big characters many of these little birds have, much larger than their physical size. Take the nuthatch, for example. Despite being only 14cm in length (according to the RSPB website that is, they’re not quite tame enough to be measured by hand), this doesn’t stop them from being incredibly gutsy. Sharing isn’t in his vocabulary, so everyone must evacuate when he arrives to fill his belly. Greedy is also a word I would use to describe this particular individual, as while not able to be eating from both feeders at the same time, no other birds get a look in.

At the other end of the scale, we have the great tit and blue tit, one of our most recognisable diners. At 14cm and 12cm respectively, they are much more amenable and happy to eat together in what I presume are family flocks. Friendly little people who don’t want to cause a scene.

But undoubtedly, the bird with the biggest personality has to be our great spotted woodpecker. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, let’s put it that way. Not surprising though, given all that time spent drilling into tree trunks. When first landing on the feeder, there’s always a suitably blank expression on his face. It takes a few moments for it to click that if he just shuffles down slightly, the suet ball or peanuts will be waiting below.

And if there happens to be nothing in the feeders, you soon know about it, as he flies off in a huff and shouts until the supplies are restocked. Talk about needy! But, best keep them fed and happy, as they are unknowingly easing the lockdown woes and giving me plenty to write about!