Baby birds in a French garden

On By thelivesofkIn Birds

Nothing gives us greater pleasure than sharing our garden with all the creatures that live among us and amuse us on a daily basis.  This has been even more important during these last few months when we have had to  stay mostly at home.

It is always wonderful to watch the courting of doves, or the antics of the sparrows which often reminds me of a bunch of school boys.

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During this hot period when the temperatures have been around 30C (90F), the birds need feeding,

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And equally important they need clean water for drinking and bathing.  The juvenile sparrow in the front does not appear to be sure getting herself wet.

young male sparrow

The young male sparrow is as big as its daddy, but is still more fluffy and appears to need more naps!

Juvenile blackbird

I must admit that I am particularly fond of blackbirds singing for us, and I am so glad that several pairs have raised their young in our garden.

young sparrow

I really wish I could cuddle that little sparrow with her downy feathers on the buddleia.

young redstart

Once again we have had several redstarts raising their young in the garden.  The juveniles are very cute and not as shy as the parents.

Juvenile tobin

For the last couple of weeks Amelia and I have been watching two baby robins in the front garden when we have been having our coffee.  Their bodies start speckled and still no red breast.

young robin (2)

Little by little the speckled front changed to red.

young robin

Finally the red breast become more prominent, but she still has not lost her cute fuzzy head.

  • Kourosh

 

19 thoughts on “Baby birds in a French garden”

  1. Janine

    Good Morning Kourosh,
    It is indeed a pleasure to watch the young birds. Even though they are often the same size of the adults their behaviour is definitely juvenile. They are so self absorbed, less watchful and more playful. I remember watching a family of three young sparrows taking turns rolling down the steep roof of the neighbours garage. When the first one did it I thought it was an accident but then they all took turns – too funny,
    We enjoy, while we have morning coffee, to watch a small 2×2’ planter that we have filled with water, a bubbler and lots of rocks. There is a small bathing area and they line up to bathe and then sun themselves.
    Thank you for your posts.
    Hope the bees are doing well,
    Regards from BC
    Janine

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  5. Amazing to see your garden’s baby birds. I’ve often wondered why I rarely see our birds’ offspring. In any case, your post was very informative and the birds look for interesting.

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    1. thelivesofk

      Thank you, Helen. I always have felt that gardens are for sharing. So, I am glad that you “joined” me visiting just a few of our birds. – Kourosh

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  6. So enjoyed your birds, Kourosh. I’ve noticed on both your blog and others around Europe and the USA that you feed wild birds. Here in Australia it is discouraged as we are told it disrupts natural behaviour patterns. In some circumstances it is a jailable offence! My Mum told me they if they didn’t fed the birds over the Scottish winter they would die. Is your feeding life or death for your birds?

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    1. thelivesofk

      Thank you, Max. That is indeed a very good question that I can not find a right or wrong answer. HOWEVER, when we came to live in France (from Scotland)) we saw very few birds in our garden. So I tried to provide a better environment for them, with food and water. Here it is an agricultural countryside, with large hectars of vine (we are close to Bordeaux), and also maze. It is sadly becoming a monoculture There is not really sufficient food for the birds.
      So we feed them summer and winter, and now we have pleanty of birds in our garden, many different species. Some people tell me that one should not feed the birds in summer.
      Now if I may, I will ask you a question. If you take your family to a restaurant, and find out it is closed, then next time again it is closed. Would you go there again? It’s the same with our birds. If one day I forget putting food for them they come and tap on the window. That is a great pleasure.
      I fully appreciate you Autralians view on the subject and perhaps if there are enough varied food source, then all is well. The mother nature knows best. But sadly sometimes the mother nature needs a helping hand – as we all do, from time to time.
      Kind regards
      Kourosh

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      1. I see your point of view, Kourosh. We had serious bush-fires last year to within a kilometer of the house. Frigthening, but we were on pack and leave alert. But our local wildlife couldn’t leave. The experts says around 180 million birds died in the fires. Along with them 143 million mammals, 2.46 billion reptiles, and 51 million frogs. A tragedy on a scale that is difficult to process. I have noticed since then the species of birds and reptiles that visit our garden have changed. Almost none of the very small birds are visiting. No snakes at all, which some are saying is a blessing. I don’t agree myself. I wonder if it will change how we manage food resources in future. Regards, Max.

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    1. thelivesofk

      Thanks, Philip. The RSPB estimate that up to 50% of the fledglings are lost to cat. That is a sad state, specially as cats are the number one pet in the Uk. But that is life.
      best wishes
      Kourosh

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  8. Good morning Kourosh…. a lovely set of observations…. I wonder how many broods your male Redstart has fathered?
    He looks very worn… if that is a very recent photo, I’ll hazard a guess at three based on the Black Redstarts we have here….
    and I am wondering if they [or perhaps a hopeful he] are thinking about a fourth… because he’s just started singing again! Now that just isn’t normal for August…..

    The juvenile robin series is nice, too!

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  9. thelivesofk

    Thanks, In our garden we have both redstarts and black redstarts. I have placed several bird boxes for them and I know that each year for the last 3 years at least 3-4 pairs have had between four and five babies, With the good summer across Europe, I am not at all surprised for the birds raising new broods right into August ad early September. Certainly I see sparrows do so.
    Regards
    Kourosh

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