Usually at this time of year, we have flocks of young starlings around us, the blackbirds are singing or scratching amongst the leave litter, also the thrushes are in the garden seeking out snails etc. Even the raucous magpie doesn't seem to be around. Flocks or small finches seem to be non existent as well. Could it be the dry weather affecting them? We live in North Otago where it is very dry. I would like to hear what other folk are experiencing in their region. We live rural so find it somewhat puzzling.
mark_g,
Jan 27, 2:14am
I got the usual blackbirds, wax eye, tui, thrush, sparrows and the odd fantail here in Kapiti - where its also unusually dry. The starlings are much reduced though - and good riddance to them.
koru67,
Jan 27, 2:32am
We had noticed the sparrows were around in much smaller numbers here (Auckland). We have quite a few blackbirds around with this seasons offspring. Definitely dry around us, but we have permanent birdbaths which are used all year round. Plus we do feed the birds seed and fruit. They are loving nice juicy pears, oranges and apples at the moment.
family007,
Jan 27, 2:33am
Getting them up here, plenty of starlings and blackbirds. Finches are making an appearance now as well as Tui . More waxeyes too. Christchurch.
dee238,
Jan 27, 10:34am
Yes, I have them. I know I do because they make their bloody nests in the eaves every year. Usually have a lot of Minors (sp). They are quite dangerous.
lythande1,
Jan 27, 12:00pm
Not in my garden. Loads of the usual. sparrows, blackbirds, thrushes, waxeyes, fantails and the b**** mynahs.
kcc55a,
Jan 27, 3:11pm
Plenty of birds here too, including Kereru which seem to be sourcing food from different trees to what they used in the past.
bluefrog2,
Jan 27, 4:53pm
Plenty in my garden, maybe too many. I have a couple of bird bath dishes out in the garden that get mobbed every day. Starting to get a lot of bird droppings on my raised planters as the birds wait their turn. If I get poop on the drying laundry, might have to reconsider the birdbaths!
thistle4,
Jan 27, 5:01pm
Lots of birds around our garden but I have bowls of water everywhere plus we have a stream which never runs completely dry. I can spend hours watching the birds flying in to drink from the stream and bathing in it. We only ever see one starling in the garden. Don't seem to have many round here.
korbo,
Jan 27, 5:06pm
heaps of birds in our front garden. probably cos we have bird feeders and lots of water dishes. actually a cheap feed for the wild birds, is chook food. we mix it and alternate with wild bird seed.they love it. Also had a declutter of jam that had gone mouldy, tipped the mould off and put the jam in saucers on the lawn. went really fast. just love watching the mums feed the babies.
dibble35,
Jan 27, 7:41pm
Just moved to my current house in July but there seem to be lots of birds here. A pair of kingfishers upto a few weeks ago which were interesting to watch. lots of skinks got eaten by them! And we have plenty of Tui, I should know, they start singing at 5.30 in the morning. I also seem to have quite a few thrushs and blackbirds. It may be because there arnt a lot of cats around this neighbourhood, we have an over abundance of dogs instead
ambo11,
Jan 28, 1:47am
We've got 800,000 stinky Blackbirds you can have!
venna2,
Aug 19, 4:23pm
I'm very happy to have blackbirds - they pollinate my feijoa trees.
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