Tits

[catgate]

We seem to have the usual quota of Great Tits around the garden for this time of year, in fact they seem to be constant throughout the year. But instead of the ten or a dozen Bluetits that usually come back from the surrounding countryside, as the weather becomes more inhospitable, we currently only have four or five. Is this widespread? They appear to be a fairly hardy bunch to me.

[AlanHo]

Same here. A noticeable reduction in blue tits - but a significant increase in coal tits & nuthatches.

[-pops-]

We've noticed a huge increase in the population of a number of titmouse species this year.

Perhaps they've come over to Sussex.

We've also had a song thrush in the garden for the past few days - haven't seen one for years.

There was even a hedgehog the other day, again not seen one for a very long time except squashed on the road. My dog was fascinated by it and he eventually picked it up in his mouth and brought it indoors to show us. Result - dog infested with fleas.

[catgate]

Last year we had a nice little flock of Long Tailed Tits but this year I have only seen a couple.

[andsome]

We have had an unusually high number of blackbirds this year. Even less sparrows than usual, they have been dwindling a lot in recent years. The collared doves are still a damned nuisance with their monotonous call. :D

[Irene]

We have a very persistant Grey Wagtail who has been tapping on the landing window or fluttering around the wing mirrors of the car.

He's been doing it for days! Making a right old mess on the landing window.

We wondered why he would be doing it. Perhaps he/she thinks his reflection is a friend.

I was looking on the internet before we went out, trying to find out what their expected behaviour would be.

I must admit, we did think at first that he might not be the 'full shilling'. :lol:

[Tankus]

hes in preparation for casting for the Hitchcock remake

those wagtails are right luvvies

[Watchful]

We've noticed a lot of large, healthy-looking Great Tits in our garden but they're probably this year's brood that hatched from our nest-box.

Also an increase in robins and wrens.

[Gandalph]

We normally have been getting plenty of Blue Tits into our garden but last winter saw a downturn in the numbers. Only about five. This year so far we have only seen two. Pleny of Robin's and Starlings though.

[AlanHo]

..Blue Tit Shortage

[Irene]

..Blue Tit Shortage

That is really a sad report. :(

Let's hope the summer is better for all of us in 2008.

[rong]

..Blue Tit Shortage

Who counted the almost 10,000,000?, and how come this thread has stayed clean for so long?

[catgate]

..Blue Tit Shortage

That is a bit weird. I was looking out of the window just before I posted my original query and realised that a piece of fat I had hung out this morning (first time this year) was more or less untouched, so I put the question to the committee.

If I had only been a reader of the the Telegraph I would have known all about it.

[Watchful]

Let's hope next year does improve, especially for the Blue Tits :(

[AlanHo]

....................and how come this thread has stayed clean for so long?

Do I detect an impure thought from a so-called gentleman - the girls are going to be very disappointed with you.

(Your comment may well wake up andsome... )

[rong]

I thought the title was meant to wake people up, bet some were disappointed when they got to the point. As for impure thoughts I've been around this forum to know that there was a few of the others that had those ;) ;)

[catgate]

..Blue Tit Shortage

Who counted the almost 10,000,000?,

It can be done very quickly by counting their legs and then dividing by two !

[Watchful]

Why use one when two will do? :lol:

[catgate]

It's a method widely used by shepherd to count their sheep quickly, to avoid going to sleep during the operation. The difference, of course, is that they divide by four, and then make corrections for three legged members of their flock afterwards.

edit :-

The most common reason for three legged lambs is through one of their parents being an old fashioned milking stool.Since the advent of modern milking parlours, and bulk delivery tankers, these animals are certainly becoming rarer and in fact DEFRA are currently looking at stopping subsidy on them.

[rong]

Can't say I've come across three legged lambs or in consequence sheep, apart form in a butchers and then only for a short time as they very quickly become two legged and one legged then legless.

[catgate]

Well that seems to prove that DEFRA have, for once, got something right.

I once applied to the lottery commission, through John Prescott, for funding to set up a research study into the breeding of multilegged frogs for export to la belle France. I explained I would need lots of cash in order to spend a couple of years wandering about in France looking for natural multi legged freak frogs as breeding stock.Followed by lots of cash to set up a "facility" in the UK. I was utterly gobsmacked when he declined to lend his support. (MInd you, I would most certainly have had it laundered and sterilised before I even touched it.)

[Watchful]

I wonder if they enjoy being 'legless' ?

[Tankus]

I used to castrate lambs

[rong]

I used to castrate lambs

They don't enjoy that

[Tankus]

left them legless