First Hummingbird of 2010

great photo catfinch,love the colours,he shows up well,i love it.

Wow....He is very early on his trip home from down south....Very unusual.

awww lovely

How lucky is it that you looked out of the window at that time Brilliant Catfinch.

Yes it is a bit early Gilli..but we have had such a warm January here..little chillier again today..but we have had 50's for the most part and some days close to 60 still was very surprised to see this little pilgrim. Was a sweet surprise... :)

Thanks Sue..it was a late in the day blue gray time of day...we had had sun earlier so he might not have shown so well then..
Thanks Irish..they are so tiny...it amazes me always to see them perch like this..they are usually so busy looking for plants to eat from...not many plants in bloom right now..hope he does ok..

Great shot. It is always odd seeing a hummingbird sitting still, But we all must rest. :-)

Oh goodness - don't tell Larry!!! ;-D

What will this little chap feed on if there's no flowers?

Great shot, it great to see pics of birds that we don't see in the wild over here.

They eat little insects as well Cat.....gnats and such.

I hope they are getting something from the early pear and cherry blooms..not too many insect out just yet...I didn't really know that they ate that many insects..have spent so many hours watching them at feeders and flowers. Glad to know that!

Beautiful Cat........

Great pic. Seems as if spring is coming everywhere but here!

Agree Toto....about 2 inches of frozen snow laying here !!!

We are relatively lucky compared to you Bonkers as we only have rain even though it is heavy and the water is laying where I've never seen it lay before. This morning is dry so far but the forecast is for more rain over the next few days.

I have heard it is snowing in North Wales this evening as well...goodness ..this is a very long winter for all of you...I hope it gets over itself soon...for your sakes...

Thanks Cat...amazingly Toto...we have more snow forecast for the early hours..and the last lot hasnt gone yet ! The poor birds are constantly looking for ( and getting ) food from us !!

The forecast for today was rain but we had a mixture of rain, snow and sleet.
Like you we have been trying hard to look after the birds. I just hope that there are enough people doing the same.

Sure there are Toto...lots on here are and I have re doubled my efforts ! Jane x

I think that you are right Jane. Lots of people round here seem to be doing that little extra for them but so many don't seem to care. What a shame.

Well my answer to that Toto..I just carry on regardless..and always will..x

I'm glad, so do I. I managed to restock my dried mealworms from Wilko's the other day. I bet they know when I,ve been as I nearly alwaye empty their shelf of them. I've been buying their fat cakes and fat balls too and jean keeps the birds supplied with raisins and currants and that is apart from the seed and pieces of cake that they get. One robin even waits on the fence in the morning for his mealworms to be delivered.

Ditto ...went to Wilkos last week and got last 4 tubs....2 tubs for £4...cheapest around.Our local gc was trying to sell them for £5 99 a tub ! The cheek ! Like Jean,I always head for the "Value " sultanas and raisins and also get the value range scones for them too...Poor Bonkers looks in the trolley and asks if we are getting any food in for ourselves !

lol...you folks are hardcore bird feeders...if my birds knew they would pack their bags over here! I have a field close and they pick seeds there and eat bugs and such..I put out suet cakes over the winter...and seeds if I have them..I toss out bread and such if I have it.especially when it has snowed..even oatmeal tossed on top the snow seems to be a treat to the winter birds....but my word I could never afford all the yummies you guys are putting out. Some lucky birds I dare say...I think I should come back as a bird and live with all of you...! all-tho I have to wonder about meal worms....hmmmm :o)

hi Cat...Ours love oatmeal set in melted fat.Great source of energy in this harsh winter we are having ! Not tried a mealworm sandwich ? You havent lived ! Lol

No..Jane..lol..I haven't... can't think why not???hmmmm..you had one?

No...just joking Cat ! But Toto swears by them ! Lol

Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned mealworm sandwich, you really should try one!

Now where oh where do they sell meal worms here? hmmm..this will take a trip to the big city I think...I wonder what would be best on my bread..I like rye bread awfully well..a little mayonaise and mustard maybe. swiss? hmmm let me know Toto.....

If you can't get the mealwarms locally then try maggots, you should beable to get those from the local fishing tackle shop. They are not quite as tatey but are a good substitute.

ok ! :o)

Toto..you are wicked ! Cat...try them in a toasty ! Lol

with cheese? yummers

Lol..you get the idea ! This reminds me of one of those weird Japanese endurance games..where they lay in baths full of maggots or cockroaches..Lol

I would think if any of them were just warmed in my hand long enough..it would not taste to bad all on its own...just got to get past the wiggling...

I know..we buy the dried ones but some time ago my sis gave me a tub of live ones for the birds...the wriggling is the worst bit ! Lol What are we like !!!

Even the dried ones look as if they could wiggle...lol

Yes..we rehydrate them in hot water for the birds..and once they are soft they feel alive..really weird !