Nature Notes: February 2015

Birds

The long tailed tits (Aegithalos caudatus) continue to visit the garden and seven of them were spotted at the feeders on the 8th.

We are also doing well for goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) with seven spotted on the 28th.
Two robins (Erithacus rubecula) were at the feeders at the same time which is quite strange as they are very territorial. Perhaps they were male and female getting ready to nest? I did see one collecting nesting material on the 8th which was a sunny day.

Our pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) has survived the shooting season and returns most mornings to peck around the ground under the feeders.

The early life of a pheasant is one of privilege and protection, all competitors are persecuted and food is served in the safe confines of your pen. Then comes the shooting season and life changes dramatically like a Romanov royal.