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What have you noticed in your garden during the lockdown?

135

Comments

  • #102
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    A rat!

    The cats won't use the back garden because there's a 9 stone Newfie puppy out there who chases them. But he's not much of a hunter.

    My husband bought a humane trap but expected the rat to just stroll on in, and gave up after just one unsuccessful night. He tried to fill the burrow with cement, but seriously underestimated how much cement to use. My next move would actually just be to take the Newfie for a walk, position the cats by the burrow and repeat daily, until either a cat gets lucky, or the rats just give up and move.


  • #103
    dogmatix
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭dogmatix


    Deleted User wrote: »
    A rat!

    The cats won't use the back garden because there's a 9 stone Newfie puppy out there who chases them. But he's not much of a hunter.

    My husband bought a humane trap but expected the rat to just stroll on in, and gave up after just one unsuccessful night. He tried to fill the burrow with cement, but seriously underestimated how much cement to use. My next move would actually just be to take the Newfie for a walk, position the cats by the burrow and repeat daily, until either a cat gets lucky, or the rats just give up and move.

    I also have a humane trap - getting the crafty blighters to go in is almost impossible, no matter what tasty treats i put in. With regards to blocking a rat entrance hole with cement - better to mix the cement with steel wool (comes in rolls at most hardware stores) as the rats (and mice) hate chewing through the steel fibres.


  • #104
    banie01
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,930 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    Lots of birds perching and feeding from the Ivy along my garden walls.
    The sheer variety and noisiness of wildlife out there, and even a fox or 2 walking along the avenue in the early morning.

    That said, the fixed aren't that unusual. Often spot them on winter mornings by Thomond bridge which is very urban.


  • #105
    dogmatix
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭dogmatix


    Not in my back garden - but very close by. While out walking yesterday by Killavarney wood, I heard a crash beind me and on turning around saw this cute little fawn behind me.


  • #106
    Arequipa
    Registered Users Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭Arequipa


    Morning!

    I hope you are all well.
    I have been working from home and have noticed more from my garden.

    A couple of weeks ago a blue tit was moving from the top of mint plants, ripping pieces of mint leaves and flying off to her nest, which i know is in 2 gardens to my left. I presume she was feeding them to the chicks.
    These chicks fledged last week sometime. On Friday, when it was really windy I noticed very young and scared looking blue tits, clinging onto branches of shrubs in my garden to avoid being blown away.

    This morning a pair of blackbirds came into my garden... the male sat on the mulched border, in the direct sunlight and squatted down, wings and feathers pushed outwards.. like they are sunbathing...have any of you seen this?

    I also notice that the birds seem very thirsty and come back for water in my garden, numerous times a day..


    A


  • #107
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    They sunbathe, they have dust baths and they have bath-baths! They're great creatures and great fun to watch. :)


  • #108
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    New Home wrote: »
    They sunbathe, they have dust baths and they have bath-baths! They're great creatures and great fun to watch. :)

    I’ve noticed that too. I’ve made a birdbath with a tray used for watering seedlings from the greenhouse. It’s about 2 inches deep, 8 x 16 inches. It’s on a small path outside my kitchen window. Lovely to look out on.


  • #109
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    :)

    Excellent! Just make sure you wash it properly and on a regular basis, they can catch some nasty infections both from those and from the feeders.


  • #110
    Mac-Chops
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 314 ✭✭Mac-Chops


    Was watching this little fella hopping/nearly flying around the garden yesterday.
    No sign of any parents checking on it and when it started wandering down towards our neighbouring & frequently patrolled "cat alley", thought best to move it back in to the garden.
    Started chirping eventually and some adults flew down for a look so hoping for the best with no further sign this morning.

    Bragging rights to who can identify the type?

    9UT5dkR.jpg


  • #111
    bocaman
    Registered Users Posts: 230 ✭✭bocaman


    An abundance of wildlife. Birds have built a nest in the hedge. Bees crawl through the grass collecting nectar. A fox on my neighbours shed roof. Ground bees have dug in my garden. Much to my delight I discovered these were harmless. At night I look up and can make out the stars. Yes my garden is a menagerie.


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  • #112
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Mac-Chops wrote: »
    Was watching this little fella hopping/nearly flying around the garden yesterday.
    No sign of any parents checking on it and when it started wandering down towards our neighbouring & frequently patrolled "cat alley", thought best to move it back in to the garden.
    Started chirping eventually and some adults flew down for a look so hoping for the best with no further sign this morning.

    Bragging rights to who can identify the type?

    That picture isn't visible, Mac-Chops.


  • #113
    Mac-Chops
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 314 ✭✭Mac-Chops


    New Home wrote: »
    That picture isn't visible, Mac-Chops.

    :o

    It showed in the preview for me which usually means OK. Tried something else there hopefully worked.


  • #114
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Juvenile sparrow, perhaps?


  • #115
    Mac-Chops
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 314 ✭✭Mac-Chops


    New Home wrote: »
    Juvenile sparrow, perhaps?

    Not quite.

    HINT


  • #116
    two wheels good
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,996 ✭✭✭two wheels good


    Miss, Miss! Goldfinch, Miss.

    Now I'm going out to make a bird bath. Been meaning to do it since the wheel-barrow dried-up.


  • #117
    Bsal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,775 ✭✭✭Bsal


    Arequipa wrote: »
    Morning!

    I hope you are all well.
    I have been working from home and have noticed more from my garden.

    A couple of weeks ago a blue tit was moving from the top of mint plants, ripping pieces of mint leaves and flying off to her nest, which i know is in 2 gardens to my left. I presume she was feeding them to the chicks.
    These chicks fledged last week sometime. On Friday, when it was really windy I noticed very young and scared looking blue tits, clinging onto branches of shrubs in my garden to avoid being blown away.

    This morning a pair of blackbirds came into my garden... the male sat on the mulched border, in the direct sunlight and squatted down, wings and feathers pushed outwards.. like they are sunbathing...have any of you seen this?

    I also notice that the birds seem very thirsty and come back for water in my garden, numerous times a day..


    A

    Blue tits often use medicinal plant leaves to disinfect their nests :)

    Interesting article about it here

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8199000/8199726.stm


  • #118
    jams100
    Registered Users Posts: 806 ✭✭✭jams100


    I have paving out the back and weeds keep growing in-between the cracks, I'm trying to cement in the cracks but the cement i got seems to have a lot of little stones in it...does anyone know of this is the wrong cement to use? Thanks


  • #119
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    jams100 wrote: »
    I have paving out the back and weeds keep growing in-between the cracks, I'm trying to cement in the cracks but the cement i got seems to have a lot of little stones in it...does anyone know of this is the wrong cement to use? Thanks

    This might be more of a question for the gardening forum or the DIY forum. :)


  • #120
    Tiercel Dave
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 797 ✭✭✭Tiercel Dave


    jams100 wrote: »
    I have paving out the back and weeds keep growing in-between the cracks, I'm trying to cement in the cracks but the cement i got seems to have a lot of little stones in it...does anyone know of this is the wrong cement to use? Thanks

    You should have got Sand and Cement mix, it would be finer. You could possibly riddle out the stones if you are only doing a small area.....


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  • #121
    watlantic
    Registered Users Posts: 155 ✭✭watlantic


    Have finally managed to snap the bird that's been singing in the most amazing way in my garden since early April. Its song is the loudest and clearest of all the many birds around and ever changing. The song is very varied, nothing is repeated and in between it does odd noises and weird sounds. sometimes like an electronic device gone mad, so that when in the garden I sometimes can't help LOL. It's about the size of a blackbird, maybe a bit larger, and doesn't seem to be afraid of anything, not even cats passing close by.
    Have tried to identify it on various websites and it sounds most like a very loud nightingale, but looks more like a thrush.
    Could someone enlighten me what it is ?


  • #122
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,158 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    yep, it's a thrush. song thrush rather than a mistle thrush, from what you say about the song.


  • #123
    Mickeroo
    Administrators, Computer Games Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 32,392 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Mickeroo


    It's a Song Thrush I think? Definitely a thrush of some kind anyway.


  • #124
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    I remember reading around these parts that a way of distinguishing them was to look at the little "arrows" ^ ^ ^ on their chest... only I can't remember which is which...

    Where is Srameen when you need him?!


  • #125
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,158 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u23/downloads/pdfs/thrushes_01_2012_low_res.pdf

    there's a guide there, but the differences are subtle.


  • #126
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    The most obvious (well, kind of...) difference to me is that the song thrush's head is much darker.


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  • #127
    Storm 10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,970 ✭✭✭Storm 10


    In the past week or so the birds are gone mad at the three feeders I have out in Galway City, Peanuts, Sunflower Hearts and Niger seed, cant keep up with them I notice that they seem to be feeding their young as there are a lot of them which probably explains it, Gold Finches, Blue Tits, Starlings, Sparrows, Robins and a Jackdaw at the peanuts who does well to hang on there every day and of course the hoovers on the ground Pigeons, I had to put a bit of a fence around the Sunflower Hearts as the Pigeons were breaking feeders and spilling seed. Lovely to see this every day.


  • #128
    watlantic
    Registered Users Posts: 155 ✭✭watlantic


    watlantic wrote: »
    Have finally managed to snap the bird that's been singing in the most amazing way in my garden since early April. Its song is the loudest and clearest of all the many birds around and ever changing. The song is very varied, nothing is repeated and in between it does odd noises and weird sounds. sometimes like an electronic device gone mad, so that when in the garden I sometimes can't help LOL. It's about the size of a blackbird, maybe a bit larger, and doesn't seem to be afraid of anything, not even cats passing close by.
    Have tried to identify it on various websites and it sounds most like a very loud nightingale, but looks more like a thrush.
    Could someone enlighten me what it is ?
    Many thanks to all who posted a reply. Listening more closely I now noticed that this bird does repeat a few verses every now and again. It seems to be ground-nesting in an overgrown area on the neighbour's land.
    Anyway, I'm going to call it the 'Grammy Thrush' as it deserves that award in the 'Best Singer' category. Most beautifully entertaining song and it definitely doesn't need an amplifier.
    Got another shot of him (or her ?) a short while ago:


  • #129
    Penfailed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,644 ✭✭✭Penfailed


    jams100 wrote: »
    I have paving out the back and weeds keep growing in-between the cracks, I'm trying to cement in the cracks but the cement i got seems to have a lot of little stones in it...does anyone know of this is the wrong cement to use? Thanks

    That's concrete in a bag. Concrete is made up of sand, cement, aggregate and water. You need sand and cement only for your job (and water).

    Gigs '24 - Ben Ottewell and Ian Ball (Gomez), The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Smashing Pumpkins/Weezer, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Stendhal Festival, Forest Fest, Electric Picnic, Pixies, Ride, Therapy?, Public Service Broadcasting, IDLES(x2), And So I Watch You From Afar



  • #130
    catrat12
    Registered Users Posts: 470 ✭✭catrat12


    Live in the Dublin mountains and my god the amount of birds and rabbits is incredible way more than usual

    Flocks of starlings every few minutes landing and flying by
    Swallows and house sparrows and starlings nesting in eves some noise and only can imagine the **** up there
    Every night bout 8 there is at least ten rabbits hopping around garden
    Do feed anything but plenty of goldfinches, bullfinchs blue tits long tailed tits and great tits siskens and seen a gold crest at a certain tree plenty of buzzards/ kites don’t know the difference and just plenty, caught a hedgehog most evenings on night time camera but seems to have gone now


  • #131
    catrat12
    Registered Users Posts: 470 ✭✭catrat12


    And curlew at some time in year but don’t think they are the endangered ones


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  • #132
    CalamariFritti
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,653 ✭✭✭CalamariFritti


    Just noticed something in my back garden that I can't explain, but I don't know much about birds.

    There is this blackbird sitting out on the lawn in the full sun. He is sitting down low with his wings spread wide and beak open. It looks must unusual he almost looks like a bat there. He is there for quite some time he seems to enjoy this and he did the same thing yesterday.

    its obviously something to with the sun and the heat but I wonder is he trying to catch rays or is he trying to cool? I don't quite understand what he's doing.


  • #133
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Sunbathing, I'd say. I'm pretty sure the rays help kill off mites. Make sure you leave him some water nearby.


  • #134
    Alun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,486 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    New Home wrote: »
    Sunbathing, I'd say. I'm pretty sure the rays help kill off mites. Make sure you leave him some water nearby.

    https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/ask-an-expert/previous/sunning.aspx


  • #135
    catrat12
    Registered Users Posts: 470 ✭✭catrat12


    Another thing I have noticed the last few days is at least 2 or 3 birds flying into the windows surely must be to do with strong sunshine hitting the window and reflecting


  • #136
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Put a silhouette of a bird of prey against the window when there's a reflection, that will keep them away and safe from harm.


  • #137
    two wheels good
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,996 ✭✭✭two wheels good


    A few Cabbage Whites - that's all!
    Where's the butterfly resurgence?


  • #138
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,869 ✭✭✭John_Rambo


    catrat12 wrote: »
    And curlew at some time in year but don’t think they are the endangered ones

    If it's this time of the year they're native, rare and endangered!

    https://greennews.ie/have-you-seen-a-curlew-birdwatch-ireland-need-you-to-report-sightings-of-this-endangered-bird-during-the-breeding-season/


  • #139
    catrat12
    Registered Users Posts: 470 ✭✭catrat12


    John_Rambo wrote: »
    If it's this time of the year they're native, rare and endangered!

    https://greennews.ie/have-you-seen-a-curlew-birdwatch-ireland-need-you-to-report-sightings-of-this-endangered-bird-during-the-breeding-season/

    I actually contacted birdwatch Ireland 2 years ago and they were very dismissive they just said the ones I saw were Not endangered I offered photos and co-ordinances and they were not interested


  • #140
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,869 ✭✭✭John_Rambo


    catrat12 wrote: »
    I actually contacted birdwatch Ireland 2 years ago and they were very dismissive they just said the ones I saw were Not endangered I offered photos and co-ordinances and they were not interested

    That's not good. Was it during the summer months?


  • #141
    catrat12
    Registered Users Posts: 470 ✭✭catrat12


    John_Rambo wrote: »
    That's not good. Was it during the summer months?

    Pretty sure it was autumn I live near loads of fields so they always land in them


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  • #142
    watlantic
    Registered Users Posts: 155 ✭✭watlantic


    Had a lizard calling to my patio door today (see images).
    It's a young female and she wasn't camera-shy at all:


  • #143
    Spanish Eyes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,996 ✭✭✭✭Spanish Eyes


    There are blackbirds out the back and maybe thrushes too not sure, but honestly their song is just the business when sitting out there quietly and listening. So uplifting in these times too.

    I don't think many have had the time to listen to them until lockdown.


  • #144
    Spanish Eyes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,996 ✭✭✭✭Spanish Eyes


    watlantic wrote: »
    Had a lizard calling to my patio door today (see images).
    It's a young female and she wasn't camera-shy at all:

    Are you in Ireland? Have to say I haven't seen a lizard here, but that's not to say they don't habitate here either, I don't know.


  • #145
    Penfailed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,644 ✭✭✭Penfailed


    Spanish Eyes wrote: »
    Are you in Ireland? Have to say I haven't seen a lizard here, but that's not to say they don't habitate here either, I don't know.

    I've seen two in the past twenty years.

    Gigs '24 - Ben Ottewell and Ian Ball (Gomez), The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Smashing Pumpkins/Weezer, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Stendhal Festival, Forest Fest, Electric Picnic, Pixies, Ride, Therapy?, Public Service Broadcasting, IDLES(x2), And So I Watch You From Afar



  • #146
    Tiercel Dave
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 797 ✭✭✭Tiercel Dave


    Spanish Eyes wrote: »
    Are you in Ireland? Have to say I haven't seen a lizard here, but that's not to say they don't habitate here either, I don't know.

    The Viviparous Lizard in our only native reptile and is widespread across the country.....


  • #147
    Spanish Eyes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,996 ✭✭✭✭Spanish Eyes


    Tiercel Dave wrote: »
    The Viviparous Lizard in our only native reptile and is widespread across the country.....

    Where are they? Have never seen any at all. :confused:


  • #148
    Alun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,486 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Spanish Eyes wrote: »
    Where are they? Have never seen any at all. :confused:
    I see them quite often up in the Wicklow Mountains. Although like all lizards they like sunning themselves on warm rocks, any time I've seen them they've always been in wet boggy ground. I've even seen one "swimming" across a small pond.


  • #149
    Penfailed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,644 ✭✭✭Penfailed


    Spanish Eyes wrote: »
    Where are they? Have never seen any at all. :confused:

    Two different locations in the north west for me.

    Gigs '24 - Ben Ottewell and Ian Ball (Gomez), The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Smashing Pumpkins/Weezer, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Stendhal Festival, Forest Fest, Electric Picnic, Pixies, Ride, Therapy?, Public Service Broadcasting, IDLES(x2), And So I Watch You From Afar



  • #150
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,869 ✭✭✭John_Rambo


    Spanish Eyes wrote: »
    Where are they? Have never seen any at all. :confused:

    I've seen a huge increase of them on the Bull Island since lockdown. They're all over Howth head too. They're hard to spot, but once you've seen them and get used to what to look for you'll spot them easily enough.


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  • #151
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Third visit from the hedgehog a few minutes ago. :)


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