The Blackbird Wars Have Begun In My Garden

[Tilly2]

Spring is on its way.

[Chipchopper]

The birds have been watching me through the bedroom window, wondering if I'm ever gonna get up to feed them.

No peace for the wicked!

[gness]

Bliss here too, Tilly.....and each morning I have two beautiful kites circling low overhead....just need the sun to see their colours....x

[Prudie]

I have just seen a goldcrest in my crab apple. I do get them occasionally but not seen one since last year. They are the dearest birds.

[Gizmonster]

I'm assuming they are starlings that you're referring to, 'cos blackbirds are quite solitary birds; whereas starlings arrive in our garden in large groups - quite funny watching them squabble over the food.

[jakep]

Dreadful fight in our back garden the other day. Two males rolling around on the grass really going at each other. I'm afraid I interfered and shooed them off.

[Tilly2]

Giz, they are definitely Blackbirds. I had four males in the garden this morning, stalking each other. A female sat on the shed roof and watched them.
It's horrible when they do fight, Jakep. Nearly as bad as the robins.

Gness, the kites have made their way this far east. We see them now on an almost daily basis.

Prudie, I have only ever seen one Goldcrest. We have lots of Goldfinches but never Goldcrests, unless I never see them because they are so small.

Chip, have you got up yet?

[Robinia]

I said exactly the same thing about the blackbirds yesterday Tilly. I must have at least eight of them, males & females, and I'm always opening the window to call time out on their fights. They come to the windowsill for raisins, I can see it being an expensive season.

[Tilly2]

Money well spent, Robinia. Just don't give them mealworms otherwise you'll be broke!

[Robinia]

Haha, I know, I've already fallen for that one but they're rationed to breakfast time only.

[Tilly2]

The only birds in the garden that don't squabble are the Dunnocks and the Collard Doves. They seem to get on peacefully with each other.

[Robinia]

I know, they're lovely. The dunnocks always come at dusk to clean up the bits. The best entertainment has to be the humble sparrows though, I've got quite a lot of them. Bath time's hilarious, one in, all in. :)

[hellywelly4]

I was nearly impaled by two blackbirds the other day. They were fighting and chasing each other and missed me by inches. I'm hoping a blue tit is going to take up residence in a new box put up last autumn. I saw one investigating it the other day.
I get loads of goldfinches on the feeders, they love sunflower hearts but leave the nyger seed alone.

[Tilly2]

Same here, Helly. The nyjer seed totally ignored and the sunflower hearts scoffed.

[hereIam]

I have a male and female blackbird who come for food separately, but if they arrive at the same time, they chase each other away! I've been thinking that they won't be doing that for much longer .....

[Tilly2]

...unless they find other mates. Then it will be mayhem!