I know pheasants are mostly bred in captivity and therefore can almost be regarded as predators in our wildlife sanctuaries. But somehow, I can’t discriminate and here they are, still living in our patch. Charlie is the big fella and he arrived last year. His offspring, a young cock, has long gone or may even be dead now. The two females, are a hen born here last year and her one remaining chick, out of 3 hatched last spring.
We began to feed them during the winter. They would come to the window and peer in, or run up and down following our visits to the bird feeders. In no time they were eating out of our hands and muttering along as they do, when they were happy and content.
Around here pheasants are for shooting. If anyone ever manages to shoot any of these three, they will be getting a fine fat bird. It’s probably only a matter of time.
The scene every morning as we feed them is one of a busy bird village. Each one comes to the table with their own agenda, like a shopping list. The pheasants barely notice the smaller birds that flit about under their feet or over their heads. The robin is the pluckiest although chaffinches are cool customers, always first to arrive and last to leave. The blackbird and his mate come only when things are scarce out in the fields.
The wren dare not even go to the table. He scuttles around in the undergrowth, avoiding the bigger birds. Tits of all kinds, dunnocks and bullfinches come daily. Sometimes there are warblers, gold crests and tree creepers above in the willows but they don’t come to the table. Nor do the starlings that live under the roof. They have their own routines, gathering on the wires and collecting in the meadows.
Thrushes, crows, and the occasional jays live further out on larger trees. At the edge of the lake there are moor hens, swans and mallard. We have herons which breed there in the spring, swallows which arrive every year and form groups over the lake before they leave in the autumn. Gulls come and go depending on the weather. And birds of prey, in particular the buzzard survey everything.
Autumn has passed in a blaze of colour. Friends are lamenting the loss of birdlife in their gardens and on their farms. It takes work to support birds at the moment. The cuckoo didn’t come last spring. Without the daily feeding I’m not sure I would ever see wild birds up close any more. It feels like an important job, to feed these creatures, but one that is limited in the overall impact.
Who knows what the future holds for them and for us. Sometimes it feels like they are hanging on by a thread……..
Catherine, as always, your photographs are stunning and your words resonate. I can remember when my little hillside was full of birds, changing with the seasons. Now, I see an occasional cardinal at the feeder, and in spring, a lone bluebird or two. It is indeed like watching part of the ecological system wither away. I noted on my way home yesterday they are clearing another forest, no doubt to build another apartment complex, condos, or maybe even a single family unit sub-division. And then, wonder why raccoons, opossums, armadillos, and foxes invade our yards, dig them up, and put dogs and cats at risk.
It seems to be the same all over. So sad to hear about your forest. I notice how upset I feel when I see them “clearing” trees, hedgerows, bogs. Yes you are so right, the displacement all this creates, leads animals having to find new habitats and food, closer to humans. I’m not sure we are helping by feeding artificially but it’s often hard to know exactly what to do? Thanks for caring!
I know there are downsides to feeding, but keeping a bird, butterfly, bee friendly yard is not just for them, it is for me and all of us who depend on them for pollination (and pesky insect control). And if we keep taking away their source of food naturally, then I tend to think we have an obligation to do something about it.
Well I agree! We have now let everything on our couple of acres go wild and then they also get more seeds and fruits on plants that are untouched or unpruned. Adding in some scraps and seeds really helps them through the winter. I sometimes think people think we are mad! But then I found #LetsBuildAn Ark and there are quite a lot of us out there thinking the same!
Thank you so much for the information on #LetsBuildAnArk! I found their website and read it all–what a marvelously amazing idea. Fortunately for me, starting my own Ark is halfway there as after a fire 5 years ago that took out a lot of trees, shrubs, grass, and most of my fence, it is pretty much already reverted to the wild. Now, I can embrace it and encourage it! And, quit worrying about the dead trees, and the ones lying on the ground. I will be printing my ARK signs next week on holiday, and inform my neighbors it is intentional for a purpose!
O brilliant!!! Thought you might like that. I have fully embraced it and it’s all good. Yes dead trees, very very good for the earth and the grubs. If they go, we go too!! xx
Great photos Catherine and what a picture you paint with your words. Uncertain times are all around. I had a bizzare encounter last night in “my” lane. While chatting to a neighbour who was putting out his bin, a fluffy fox cub walked up to us and sat waiting to be fed! One part of me felt elated, the other part was very concerned…what is happening to the world
Thanks Andrew, my feelings exactly! Amazing to have these encounters but it does signal that something is very wrong……..
Exquisite images! Those reds! I love feeding our birds too…especially the quail. We have a cardinal feeder that supposedly only allows cardinals which for the most case is true. But every now and then a little sparrow enjoys a treat too. But things are changing…we can see it, as well as feel it. The bee volume was nothing this year. We’ve even planted with specific plants that attract them and only a few came. Not at all like it used to be. So sad for our planet.
Well Robin, only seeing this now! And your name……Robin…..also only striking me now as our local Robin has become such a very good friend!!! Interesting that so many of us in different parts of the world are experiencing this decline. It’s so very scary…….Hope you have a Happy Holiday xx