We love the birds that visit us in Smithy Brook and many a relaxing ten minutes can be spent watching their antics. They bring so much joy to every day and time spent observing them is good for the soul. Of course, being located close to some woods we do have our regular visiting squirrels too, who like to show off their acrobatic skills dangling upside down on the feeders whilst like the cheeky, little thieves that they are devouring nuts meant for the birds. We have tried out many different feeders to try and stop them or at least to make it more difficult, but after years without success we have embraced them as part of the Smithy Brook family and have even bought them their own nut box. Chris fixed it up on top of the pergola and we filled it with nuts and waited to see what happened next. It stood untouched for a couple of weeks whilst squirrels still performed their stunts on the feeders. Then one day we noticed one sat on top of the pergola investigating the nut box. We watched as he gnawed at the lid sending splinters of wood tumbling down to the ground. That was not supposed to happen! He obviously had perseverance and spurred on by the smell of the nuts within; he kept on trying until we saw him lift-up the lid and dip his little paws in like it was a bran tub. He positioned himself just in the right spot to keep reaching in to get one paw full after another. It was the weirdest of feelings, but I almost felt proud of our clever little squirrel.
The RSPB Big Birdwatch was coming up soon so we registered to take part and looked forward to focusing on the bird table and feeders for an hour to give us a better insight as to who exactly was coming to visit as well as to contribute to the national survey. We had planned to sit outside but it was freezing on Sunday morning, so we opened the patio doors in the bedroom and holed up with top-coats and a flask and took advantage of our rather warmer ringside seat. Chris set up the camera which meant we got a close-up view when needed and some lovely photographs too. I was delighted that our little, long-tailed tits graced us with an appearance, but the moorhens and Woody woodpecker were a bit shy on this occasion. It is always a huge thrill when Woody drops in with his distinctive undulating flight and his even more distinctive black, white and red plumage. We did see a wren which we have not managed to spot before so we are looking into buying wren friendly feeders and food to encourage him and his family to pop in more often.
I also completed the survey with Mum who, like us, gets a great deal of pleasure from watching the birds in her garden. So, I got to spend a quality hour with her and to learn from the benefit of her avian knowledge as there is nothing she does not know about birds. I asked her if the woodpecker had been lately and the answer that she gave has had me laughing ever since.
She said, “Yes he comes but I knock on the window to scare him off. He’s a right greedy bugger shovelling nuts down like there is no tomorrow and they are not cheap you know.”
Oh dear! Looks like greedy old Woody has blotted his copy book with my dear Mother.
