I haven’t been totally without distraction whilst chained to my desk.
A few years back we bought one of those bird feeders that can be stuck to glass. It was originally intended for my mother’s room at her nursing home, so that she could watch the birds in close proximity without getting up from her chair. Unfortunately when we came to fit the feeder a safety catch prevented the window from opening far enough to get the box through. The plan had to be abandoned and the feeder found its way on to our kitchen window instead.
All went well for a couple of days. A robin found the box and I enjoyed watching his antics whilst I was cooking a meal.
But then it had to happen didn’t it..
Yes, I can see you..
With the inevitable result
Anyhow, Mike has now repaired it and we’ve put it somewhere I’m pretty sure Mr Nutkins can’t possibly reach..
..my first floor study window
![Great Tit 005 Wm[1]](https://i2.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Great-Tit-005-Wm1.jpg?resize=1100%2C733&ssl=1)
These must be the most laid back shots I’ve ever taken.
Camera on tripod with the cable shutter release placed next to my keyboard.
![Great Tit 006 Wm[1]](https://i1.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Great-Tit-006-Wm1.jpg?resize=1100%2C733&ssl=1)
Whenever there was rustling from the box I just moved my hand ever so slightly and pressed the release..
![Great Tit 007 Wm[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Great-Tit-007-Wm1.jpg?resize=1100%2C733&ssl=1)
Magic
A quick reminder to register for the Great British Birdwatch. It’s this weekend!
pin it?
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What a good idea
So far so good..
How lovely and what beautiful close-ups. I now want one of those feeders although Nutkin or Nutter as we call him was seen close to the house helping himself to dropped bird seed and peanuts this morning.
Nutters.. they’re certainly that. They’ll stop at nothing.
Poor Mr. Nutkins. I love this post.
Don’t be too sorry for him. He still has all the bits that fall off the bird table. And all the food he pinches from off the top of it.
Love it, they get everywhere don’t they x
I was going to say I would challenge him to reach the feeder where it is now, but I’ve just read Pauline’s comment below!
What a wonderful distraction; but doesn’t the window get very dirty from all the bird (ahem) activity?
That is the drawback. There are little white splodges all over the window sill. I may not be able to leave it there forever but it is giving me huge pleasure at the moment. I’ll tail it off in Spring when they’ve plenty of food elsewhere.
I hate to tell you, but the undergardener used to work in Exeter on the 3rd floor of a building, no trees nearby, but one day he had a squirrel on his windowsill! We have seen them climbing the walls here just outside the dining room, when I had loads of tulips in pots I put them on the balcony hoping they would be safe, no chance, they were all eaten!
Oh dear… I thought I had cracked it!
We had squirrels in abundance when we lived in the UK. It was fun at first watching their attempts, and successes, to get food from our bird feeders, but then it got tiresome once I realised how much food they stole. Hope you are successful with your bird feeder this time. It must be nice to have those lovely birds so close to you.
It is. The Great Tit in the pictures is getting to be a regular visitor and gaining confidence all the time. There might be a nest in the box before winter is out!
You really got some great photos. That is such a fabulous idea; I have hummingbird feeders by my backdoor that are pretty active, but I don’t have anything else that is easy to watch from the house.
I am SO envious of your hummingbirds. I would really love to have those.
I bet you don’t get very much done well the birds are visiting.
They are adorable to watch. It is hard!
Wonderful! What a great idea to take photos of the birds at your window. We have a window feeder and a flock of starlings knocked it off the other day, just one small crack so it has gone back for now. I have registered for the bird watch this weekend as I always enjoyg doing it:)
Doing the birdwatch is great fun. I’m wondering if it will be different for us this year with fewer trees around the house. I haven’t noticed any reduction in the number of birds visiting. In fact if anything we seem to see more because there are fewer branches in the way!
We do the Garden Bird Watch every year. Its usually a cue for them all to disappear ! I like the idea of the window bird feeder. – we dont have squirrels – The DP finds fancy moss covered sticks so his photos are more arty/natural ! But he has to sit and wait with tripod fixed. Yours is far more laifd back. I like it!
Now there is the mark of a proper photographer. If I had the patience that is exactly what I would do. Mine is very definitely the lazy way!
You’ve got to admire their persistence! The birds are distraction enough without having a feeder at the window for me. Great pictures Jessica.
I do tend to get quite a few visitors to my window in any event. It’s just above the bird table and when it’s busy they sometimes form an orderly queue on my window sill. Or hang from the roof!
What a good idea! I’d never seen one of these before
It’s such a simple thing, but clever. And cheap as chips!
You got such beautiful shots of that bird. I’ve never seen a birdfeeder like that, I would love to have one for my kitchen. I get some really interesting little birds in the honeysuckle that runs along the side window.
I got mine from that big online store beginning with ‘A’. Worth a look. The birds are cautious at first but they do get used to it.
I hope Mr Nutkins doesn’t find a way to get to the feeder, but we all know how resourceful they can be when they smell good snacks. We have a squirrel that travels along the hero wires, over to the house, across the roof and then tries to get to the hanging coil feeder. When I’m in the office I can hear him scurrying across the roof, so I head to the window to warn him away. I’m thinking of taking some photos of him travelling the wires.
Oh yes, please try for the photos! Ours have got used to my yelling at them, they just ignore me now. They don’t ignore the water pistol though 🙂
Oh lovely! This fits in so well with my post – in a way!
It should be out of the way of cats too.. I hope.
Fabulous photos!
Thanks Archie!
Hi Jessica….
Darn them Squirrels!
I love this idea….
Every time I pick up my camera, I seem to scare the birds away…
Perhaps I need a tripod too!
Cheers!
Linda :o)
It does make it very easy. Usually I train the camera on the bird table, then sit back with a coffee and wait.
Oh I love this, even if it had been intended for elsewhere originally. Great idea with the tripod and shutter release button, brilliant idea.
Even through the double glazed window the birds heard the shutter click, but they got used to it. Even if they did look round occasionally, as in the last image!
That squirrel get’s every where! Those are wonderful images from your study. I’m surprised you have any time to blog with so many welcome visitors! Sarah x
As long as there are no unwelcome ones all will be well 🙂
Good luck in your fight with Mr Nutkins (you will need it!)
I think you’re right.
I can hear a squirrel shifting a ladder as we speak. Whilst putting on a parachute. And some hang gliding gear.
I have the water pistol on standby. We are ready. 🙂
I have often thought of buying one of those feeders, great pictures.
I don’t know how long it will last but it is great fun. If the squirrel detaches it from here there is no hope.. concrete path below.
We had one of those many years ago but it was too tempting for the cat to sit and watch which we felt was unfair on the birds – so abandoned it
That would give a bird a bit of a shock! They are always on maximum alert while they’re feeding. If there’s any movement from the room they’re off.
Great photos, and good construction to get the photo happening.The bird feeder is a great idea for photographers, and also people who are house bound….but I hadn’t initially thought of the cat problem…oh dear!
It should be safe enough where it is now. The birds are becoming regular visitors and it’s lovely to watch them feeding.
I knew what was coming even before I saw the furry tailed rat! I’m glad you were able to use it in a squirrel-free zone.
I am a little worried about Pauline’s description above of wall climbing behaviour, but we shall see. I stand ready to repel boarders.
Fingers crossed it remains a birds-only feeder. Those squirrels are amazingly ingenious when it comes to getting at nuts. Fabulous photos, Jessica. And all from the comfort of your office – brilliant.
They are ingenious but, wall climbing aside, they will need accomplices to reach this one.
Fab photos though I fully expect a future photo of a squirrel hanging down from the roof to reach the feeder.
Or maybe a chain of squirrels, each holding on to the legs of the one below?
It’s a shame that the feeder didn’t fit your mother’s nursing home window. It would be nice if all nursing homes had bird feeders, flowering indoor plants, and some resident pets. Squirrels, too.
Some of them are quite strict and don’t allow bird feeders at all, because of the risk of attracting rats. Such a shame because the birds give so much pleasure. Health and safety gone mad.
Naughty Nutkins! How fab to have the feeder by your desk and the images are great. I will take part in the GGBW this weekend and I’m just hoping the Blackcap shows up as he’s been here everyday for weeks. Thanks for the reminder though.
Yes indeed. It’s nice to have something a bit different on the list. I can usually rely on the pheasant to perform that role. I did see a goldcrest last year but not within the witching hour and only once!
Nutkins will never forgive you for the ‘spinner’. He WILL find a way up to that feeder….
Rose H
xx
The water pistol is fully charged and waiting.. 😉
i’ve wanted one of those bird feeders for FOREVER!!! but feared the exact thing that happened to yours. How perfect to have a space Mr (and Mrs and all the kids) Nutkin can’t reach it. Great shots!!! Not sure how much work I’d be getting done…..
Not a lot is the answer when the birds come to call..
How lovely to be able to see the birds so close – and ingenious idea about the tripod and cable shutter release so you could share with us!
The birds are so easily spooked, I don’t think I’d have managed it any other way.
Fabulous photos! How wonderful to be able to watch the birds while you work. xx
It is! They are only a couple of feet away too. I have to sit very still.
It is wonderful to find a spot that may be squirrel free to enjoy your birds. So far we have been sans squirrel this winter but it has been so much milder and we are knee deep in acorns.
They haven’t bothered us quite so much either, but they are still around. The bird table is just too tempting for easy pickings. Or maybe they just enjoy the squirrel spinner too much!
Fabulous! Jessica, I love your camera set up! What a great idea to get candids without startling the birds. You have a lovely blog, and I especially love your slide show header. Thank you for visiting FG. It seems we fight the same battles though an ocean a part. Cheers! Elizabeth
Thanks and welcome.
We certainly do fight the same battles. But it’s a small price to pay for the privilege of having woodland and all the pleasure that brings. Mind you, the American grey squirrel has a lot to answer for!
Great I must look into getting one of those. Apart from the photos they must be a very entertaining distraction from other more mundane jobs that need to be done.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the birds at such close quarters before.
LOL. I’m imagining you sitting at your desk, glancing over, and clicking on the shutter release. I like this method. Silly squirrel!
It’s the perfect lazy way to do it. I did take quite a few pictures though because I wasn’t looking at quite the same angle as the camera was. Mike calls it the scattergun approach… rapid fire shutter on the basis that one shot will be good. That’s me.
You’re perfecting the technique! Wonderful shots! Of course, Nutkin is off coming up with a few more riddles…
He hasn’t worked it out yet.. have I beaten him?
Fantastic! I’ve often wondered about these feeders, but never been convinced. However, it seems they work really well. By the way, we’ve talked our pigeon and magpie problem by hanging one of Green & Blue’s Birdcalls – not cheap but the robin and the blue tits have taken to it really well. And our pheasant etc can pick up the spillage!
… we’ve SOLVED our pigeon and magpie problem by hanging one of Green & Blue’s BIRDBALLS. Apologies – I’m having typo problems this morning.
I’ve just looked them up, those birdballs are really smart and with the shiny surface no doubt easy to clean. I’m tempted but just don’t trust the squirrels. Every feeder we’ve had so far has been destroyed in one way or another, even the squirrel proof ones. Their usual approach is to nibble the tether and then break a feeder apart on the ground. They are a nightmare!
Tree rats! Don’t you just hate them, a very junior one actually got inside the wires of my “squirrel proof” feeders last year and wrapping itself round the tube almost chewed the perches off before it became too big to get through the gaps. I tried a window feeder a couple of years ago and had absolutely no success at enticing the birds to feed, don’t know to this day what the reason was but my sister had no success either.
I think this one works because the birds occasionally come to the window anyway. It’s just above the birdtable so they sometimes wait on the window ledge. I’m just providing the hors d’oeuvres once they’re already of a mind to eat.
Those tricksy squirrels! Looks like your new solution works. And such a good set up for getting great photos. I wonder if the Great Tit knows it’s starring in a new film 🙂
Don’t shout it too loud, he’ll want paying. Or at least an Oscar.
How wonderful to see the birds so close. I love doing the birdwatch and usually do it from the allotment as well as my garden and this year I’ll be doing it from the cottage garden too – in between scrubbing quarry tiles. I like your window seat cushion. Did you make it and how are you getting on with your upholstery? I’m afraid my grandmother’s dining chairs have gone off to the upholsterer. I’m blaming lack of correct tools and the difficulty of sourcing the raw materials for my inability to do it myself.
We were rained off earlier, will start the birdwatch again tomorrow. Although I don’t think the weather is too promising then either.
Yes I made the cushion, but don’t let’s dwell on the upholstery! It was on my list of resolutions this year and I have looked at it. I’m contemplating taking it back a stage and doing the stuffing again. And maybe the springs.. It’s too high in the seat. But it was experimental right? That means you have to do it more than once.
It surprises me that they dare come so close to the house – I bet you have to sit like a statue so as not to scare them off – hope the study window fooled the squirrel
I have to sit very still indeed. I can just about manage turning my head to watch them. Hopefully they’ll get more confident!
Oh I love those feeders that attach to the window! I used to have one. It was attached to our bedroom window. The only thing, come summer, was we were woken up at 4am by tapping at the window. Lots of tapping, and flinging of stuff against the window, and… well you get the picture. Needless to say we had to move the feeder from bedroom to front room and the birds never seemed to find it back again to the same affect. Ah well.
And now, where we live (ah the countryside!), we are inundated with birds of all types all times of day, and night (as we have a couple of cheeky, noisy owls. So although we no longer have the tap tap tap at the window at 4am, we now get to listen to bird song instead.
Oh, and the odd tap tap of a raven when he sees his reflection in the velux.
You see that ridge on the back edge of the feeder? The perspex at the back doesn’t quite go right down to the bottom of the box and seed can escape. It drives the birds crazy. They can see it, but they can’t reach it. Beaks on perspex, especially in an enclosed space, can make an awful lot of noise!
That sounds like the perfect way to take excellent bird photos! And a very pleasant distraction from work…
I just wish the design was a little more streamlined. The suckers get in the way!
Oh I hope that the mended by Mike version thwarts the squirrel(s) Jessica. Great photos.
Thanks Anna 🙂
I love the idea of a stick on bird feeder for the window. . I have an albino Great Tit in the garden. I would love to entice here nearer so that I could get a good shot of him.
I thought it would be only robins plucky enough to feed so close to the house, so I was surprised by the Great Tit. But he (or she) is very welcome. Hope you get a shot of your albino, would be interesting to see it.
Those devils…we are always trying to outwit them.
So far so good…
My daughter had squirrels foraging in her window boxes when she she lived on a third floor flat in central London a few years ago, couldn’t figure out how they got up there but they did.
Hi Marianne and welcome!
Oh dear.. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. The squirrel is nothing if not resourceful. They have probably fitted themselves out with Spider-Man feet.