You learn something new everyday

[linda_joyce]

And I've learned today that the reason the fat balls at my bird feeding station are disappearing like magic is because the sparrow babies have fledged.

The sparrows have been arriving at the feeding station in groups of 3 or more. One or sometimes two are whip thin and the rest are fat balls of feathers. Mam, Dad (skinny) and the kids. the youngsters settle around the rose bush and sit there beaks open, vibrating their wings while the parent does acrobatic tricks on the fat balls and takes the subsequent gleanings to the babies.

Some of the young have developed enough to try to feed themselves but they have to perch on a nearby stem and stretch their little necks, which explains why one ball gets eaten quicker than the others. It's close to a twig the babies can perch on.

I love bird watching from the comfort of my own armchair.

Comments

Aw

[quarryquest.livejournal.com]

Photos?

Re: Aw

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

Sorry no I've lost the charger for my digital and as it acts as the down loader to I can't take any pictures because I can't down load them.

[spacefall.livejournal.com]

Aw, cute :)

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

Yep they are.

[inyadreems.livejournal.com]

Our lot don't seem to like the fat balls. They scoff the seeds and nuts like mad though.

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

Your reply has solved a problem for me. The sparrows would have eaten the last of the fat balls my Sunday and I wouldn't be here to replace them, I'll try hanging a seed bag out and hope.

Still they won't starve, my neighbours have a much bigger and better selection but it is out in the open and the parents are wary of taking the babies there. Because they can shelter in my wild rose I get all the young. Mam and Dad will just have to park the babies in my rose and fly back and forth.