Latest News from Walter Harrison’s
Garden Birds December / January 2009
More birds start to appear in our gardens during these months, as natural food starts to diminish in the countryside. This year has been a good berry year, so as there are still plenty of berries left on shrubs and trees; gardens have been much quieter than normal. However because of this, more Scandinavian birds have flown here to take advantage of this bounty. In particular is the stunning Waxwing, which have arrived in their hundreds in Scotland and are gradually working their way south devouring berries as they go. They are more often found in supermarket car parks, but do turn up in gardens if you have berries left on your shrubs or trees – keep a lookout for them!
Garden Birds October & November 2008
October can still be a relatively quiet time for garden birds, as the countryside still has plenty of ripe fruits and berries. These are particularly favoured by Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, so this is why we see few of them in the gardens. However as the fruits are rapidly eaten, both species will start to reappear in your garden, particularly towards the end of November. The number of both these species will be swelled by birds coming across from the continent to escape the colder weather over there. So your friendly garden Blackbird this winter, may just be French!
Garden Birds August & September 2008
This can be a very quiet time in your garden, as many birds leave to eat the ripening berries and seeds in the countryside. Also most adult birds undergo a complete moult after the rigours of breeding and so tend to hide away and become very secretive for a few weeks. Even the ever present Blackbird can disappear, but may be tempted out on a sunny day to indulge in a bit of sun bathing. It is thought they do this to help rid themselves of mites, I think they just enjoy the sun!
Garden Birds June & July 2008
June can be an exciting month in the garden , as many young birds are fledging. The parents of finches particularly, bring their young to garden feeders.
Look out for young streaky Greenfinches at sunflower hearts and black sunflower feeders. Young Goldfinches have the striking gold and black wing bar but not their parents red and gold head and will be found at niger and sunflower heart feeders. Young Chaffinches resemble their mums in being pale and will also be found at sunflower heart feeders or on the bird table which has mixed seed. When the youngsters first appear they will sit near the feeders constantly begging for food from their parents; but as days go by they will come and feed themselves. By July these youngsters will appear by themselves –except Goldfinches which keep in family groups right through winter.
Walter Harrison’s at 2008 Birdfair
Walter Harrison’s will be exhibiting at the 2008 Birdfair on 15th, 16th & 17th August, venue Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland Water, Oakham, Rutland. You can find us in Marquee 1, Stand No: 69 & 70, come along for some great deals
Feed the Finest Energy Boost Suet Pellets
All garden birds need to keep up their energy levels and not just in a cold winter, bird’s energy requirements are actually at the highest during the breeding season. Walter Harrison’s Feed the Finest Suet Pellets have been developed from our original suet pellets to contain a variety of suet, niger, sunflower hearts and fruit in every pellet.
Watch the birdy!
Garden Birds in Nottinghamshire are in for a treat this summer thanks to the photography skills of local wildlife enthusiasts and a partnership between Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Walter Harrison & Sons, a Nottingham based bird food supplier.