The Pyracantha bush just behind the house is in its full glory, covered in bright scarlet berries and looking wonderful in the autumn sunshine. At this time of year it attracts a wide range of birds, some come to feast on the berries each day, others like to simply sit and soak up the morning sunshine on a cold morning whilst for others it is a safe place to rest on route from A to B.
This week I have tried to capture some of the visitors to this one bush on camera. Here are six:
One: Redwing – an autumn and winter visitor to the garden enjoying a meal after flying in from Scandinavia
Redwing audio:
Audio credit: Patrik Aberg , Xeno-canto
Two: Pied wagtail – although not an uncommon bird we don’t often get these in the garden so I was delighted to be able to catch this one on camera.
Pied wagtail audio:
Audio credit: Tomas Belka , Xeno-canto
Three: Blackbird – a very common bird in many gardens but lovely to have them nesting here and singing their hearts out all the same.
Blackbird audio:
Audio credit: Niels Krabbe , Xeno-canto
Four: A family of sparrows just sitting and enjoying the sun and chatting amongst themselves (now a very much rarer sight than they used to be)
House sparrow audio:
Audio credit: Jarek Matusiak , Xeno-canto
Five: Greenfinch – the numbers of greenfinchs have declined in recent years partly because of Trichomonosis, the name given to a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae. It is nice to have them as an increasingly regular visitor to the garden now.
Greenfinch audio:
Audio credit: Sander Bot , Xeno-canto
Six: Bullfinch – this stunning male bullfinch has been a regular visitor this week and has been joined towards the end of the week by two female bullfinches as well.
Bullfinch audio:
Audio credit: Niels Krabbe , Xeno-canto
To complete the record I have also seen Goldfinches, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Robins on this Pyracantha during the week but have not managed to capture them on camera.
The Six on Saturday meme is hosted by The Propagator. Click on the link to see what other plant lovers are chatting about.
