Newcomers and regulars

 

We have several bird species visiting our garden now but every now and then I am surprised by a newcomer. I am not overly happy about the latest one because he may return with all his mates! I am hoping not and won't be putting any scraps out for a day or so to discourage it.

For the regulars of course there will always be food out for them, or at least that is the intention. Sometimes they get greedy and the food trays run out during the day when I am not here. We have a tui who comes by at least twice a day for a quick drink of the sugar water then is off on his merry way.

It is easy to know when he is going to visit because ALL of the other birds scatter and hide. I guess the tui is at the top of the pecking order in our garden. He commands privacy while he feeds and other than myself and the camera he gets it!

The newcomer is a pigeon. He's not even a pretty pigeon and certainly looks well fed. I hope he was just bought here by the strong winds and can find his way home - pigeons are supposed to be able to do that I believe. I really don't want the smaller birds scared away by a flock of hungry pigeons.

Almost the weekend again...

We have a new comer to the back garden. This is the first song thrush that I have seen since I have been feeding the birds and encouraging them to visit the garden. I know it is a common bird but it's a new visitor to my garden.

I am ready for Summer time now. The wind can go and so can the cold, I am over it all. I want to be able to leave the doors open and be able to photograph the birds without having to put on several layers of clothing! Unfortunately Summer is never long enough.

Also only a few weeks away to my trip to the Gannets at Cape Kidnappers. In the past I have been there when there were no chicks, and I have been there when the chicks were quite large. This time I am hoping to find the chicks still small and fluffy and happy to pose for me. Hoping too that the weather is fine on the day we have planned there as there is no shelter to be had and we are out there for the entire day!