Saturday 19 February 2011

Reed Buntings........

Reed buntings have been feeding alongside sparrows for the last two months.
I managed to get two very poor photographs today but I am really pleased because now I have a visual record of them. I love the male reed buntings white collar, moustachial streak and black head. I am smitten......they are such a sweet pair.
The female will build her nest in a tussock of rush or among dense vegetation close to the ground. The river is only a mile away. Maybe they will bring their young to the garden. I live in hope.
I shall be using 'Sanctuary' as a wildlife diary.......I need to keep a more accurate record of the creatures that frequent the garden. You are more than welcome to visit and leave a comment if you so desire.
Take time to smell the flowers will be used to show the progress in the garden and the flowers that bloom there.

15 comments:

Dan said...

Hi Cheryl
They do look quite similar to sparrows, don't they? Glad you managed to get a couple of pictures, and hopefully they will be back with their families during the summer.
Dan
-x-

Cheryl said...

Yes they do Dan but the heavy black markings definately tell you they are Reed buntings....

sylvï said...

what a lovely surprise!

i will be happy to see all the little animals that roam your gardens.

we have tons of snow still, probably will for two more months. as much as i love a proper winter, seeing everyone else's crocus and snowdrop photos at this time of year always makes me long for spring.

Naturegirl said...

Sweetness coming to your garden and I'm sure you are enjoying their presence as a sign that Spring has returned!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Such excitement having these sweet buntings in your garden. Here is hoping they will bring their young the next time.

FAB said...

Hi Cheryl. We had male and female Blackcap back in the garden together yesterday but not as confiding as your lovely pair of Reed Buntings. I'm delighted you mangaged to capture their image at last .... and hopefully plenty of visits in the future.

Cheryl said...

Hi Frank, I love the buntings, they have such beautiful markings.

Black caps.....I have never ever seen one in the wild, only on the TV or wildlife books and magazines.
You are very lucky to have them in your garden once again.

Wendy said...

Welcome back! Nice to see the markings close up on your buntings. It's good to keep a kind of a diary or journal of the wildlife in your garden. I too look back on my posts of a year ago and more and sometimes marvel at what was going on in my garden (or in my life) back then!

Have a good Sunday.

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Such lovely birds! Great idea to use Sanctuary to keep track of the wildlife that visit your gardens.
Getting the photographs can be difficult sometimes. You did great getting the photos of the Reed Buntings. Nice to have photographs of the male and female.
I have often thought a list of all the birds that come to my backyard would be nice to publish. I have a list in my journals.
Sherry

Rose said...

Cheryl, this is a great idea to use this blog as a wildlife diary. I don't know if we have reed buntings here, but I'm sure if we do, I've mistaken them for sparrows. I hope they find a nice spot in your garden for nesting this spring.

ShySongbird said...

Hi Cheryl, I had no idea you were still posting here. I came over after seeing Liz's White Forsythia, I remembered that she had said you had mentioned it. I didn't remember that at all so came to check back and as I suspected you had posted about it around the time I had my first eye op. That explains why I missed it.

What a good idea to keep this blog alive for your wildlife sightings! I will put it back on my sidebar so I will be sure to see any updates.

You are so lucky to have Reed Buntings in the garden, they are delightful little birds! I am so pleased you managed to photograph them.

I do hope you spot this very late comment Cheryl and I look forward to seeing more of your wildlife here :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Cheryl..
Well long time since I last stopped by!!A lot has happened in that time!
Hope you and yours are well...
Have a lovely week:) xx

marmee said...

cheryl...these are a sweet pair. i am not familiar with reed buntings. it would be wonderful to have them raise their family near you.
hope is in the air.
happy spring.

Unknown said...

Hi Cheryl,
Love your site, I've just come back from an African safari and now I'm mad about wildlife, makes you really appreciate what you can find at the bottom of your own garden.

Deb said...

What a beautiful start to your wildlife diary. I have a soft spot for Sparrows ♥