ED Nature Watch

[tiddles]

These are Egyptian geese - been around the eye for several years now 

[Lynne]

I could hear a woodpecker while I was waiting on ED station this morning

[Moovart]

I saw a woodpecker in the trees on the north side of ED station last week while I was waiting on the southbound platform.  Might be the same one.

[malumbu]

We have great spotted woodpeckers in the garden.  Every few years there is a small flock of green woodpeckers.

[Lynne]

Perhaps doesn't count as nature, though it does concern as animal but this morning I was amused to see a cat on a harness and lead walking very sedately alongside it's owner on the pavement at the Elephant and Castle .

[Sue]

49 minutes ago, Lynne said:

Perhaps doesn't count as nature, though it does concern as animal but this morning I was amused to see a cat on a harness and lead walking very sedately alongside it's owner on the pavement at the Elephant and Castle .

Many decades  ago (not in London)  I tried to take my cat for a walk like that.

He didn't like it at all! I never tried again!

[malumbu]

@Mabaker

You were unsuccessful in getting goldfinches

Use a nyge feeder and/or sunflower chip feeder and they will come.  A yellow ribbon may help to attract them.  

https://www.arkwildlife.co.uk/products/all-weather-niger-seed-feeder?variant=44984394711257&country=GB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17182013905&gclid=CjwKCAiAqKbMBhBmEiwAZ3UboEzcMqK1iuYX51ugogbRvidH8ia8707CSAgSgqes8hdhEG2WNSkG1RoCrr0QAvD_BwE

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Shades of Tony Orlando? 

I expect Sue is an excellent Nyge feeder, btw.

 

[Ryelander]

Finches love seeds as their natural diet! including: Thistle, Dandelion, Groundsel, Teasels, as well as Birch and Alder tree seeds. During the Spring and Summer Finches consume small insects, caterpillars and aphids to feed their chicks and ensure proper development.

[malumbu]

How to you grow these? I've scattered meadow flower seeds many a time, but thistles don't take and I doubt if alder and birch is common round here.  Teasels pop up now and then, but even if they are self seeding usually don't see them the next year.  It was nice seeing the gold finches feeding off these when I do have them.  I do let the dandelions grow but not sure I've seen finches feeding off them.  I understand they are a great source of nectar for bees, butterflies and the like.

On a related subject my lawns have changed greatly over the last couple of decades, warmer wetter winters, springs, earlier springs, droughts in the summer.  Moss and brambles thrive....

[Brian up the hill]

It wasn’t that long ago that Southwark planted a strip of seed bearing plants specifically for birds. It was parallel to Peckham Rye by the Harris Boys’ school. Naturally, it has disappeared courtesy of Gala. 

[Sue]

1 hour ago, malumbu said:

How to you grow these? I've scattered meadow flower seeds many a time, but thistles don't take and I doubt if alder and birch is common round here.  Teasels pop up now and then, but even if they are self seeding usually don't see them the next year.  It was nice seeing the gold finches feeding off these when I do have them.  I do let the dandelions grow but not sure I've seen finches feeding off them.  I understand they are a great source of nectar for bees, butterflies and the like.

On a related subject my lawns have changed greatly over the last couple of decades, warmer wetter winters, springs, earlier springs, droughts in the summer.  Moss and brambles thrive....

I once tried and failed to grow teasels, but they grow like weeds in my daughter's garden, grrrr.

On 09/02/2026 at 17:34, Peckhamgatecrasher said:

Shades of Tony Orlando? 

I expect Sue is an excellent Nyge feeder, btw.

 

I might be if only I could cook 🤣

[Jenijenjen]

Lovely daffodils on Dog Kennel Hill and random but still lovely crocuses on Goose Green. 

[Bumpkin]

Another sparrow hawk visor to our cherry tree at the weekend.  Our robin survived, but we may be a sparrow down.  
 

any thoughts on bird feeders & bird baths with the current bird flu?  I try to wash out the bird bath most days when at home, but not on the 3 days in a row that I’m in the office & the bird feeders rather less regularly. Would it be better not to have at all (as my partner thinks)? 

[Nigello]

Whereabouts was the hawk?