Nature The Birdfeeder: 29/07/2012

Cast in order of appearance:

Field mouse. It couldn't quite make it over the gap, so it did the sensible thing. It went down to ground level and picked up some of the dropped seed. The field mouse over here is not the same as the American field mouse, which is a vole. It can be differentiated from the house mouse: 1) bigger eyes, 2) bigger ears, 3) longer tail, 4) coat is brown rather than grey.






Robin, again the European variety.


Dunnock, which also decided to take to the floor.


Grey Squirrel. It's a fairly easy lean over for it, but it does struggle to get the seeds out of the feeder.


Greenfich, munches contentedly on a seed.


Pied Wagtail. This is the first time I have seen a pied wagtail on the feeder. I don't think that's too surprising as they are, as far as I am aware, usually insectivorous. Perhaps, with the lack of sun this summer, insect numbers are down so any food is welcome. The dunnock also is really an insectivore.


Oi! what you looking at?

Great series Dave

Nice captures Dave, even of the little vermin.

Nice series, Dave. The squirrel didn't have any problem getting to the feeder.

very enjoyable series to view Dave and nicely photographed too, I could spend a lot of time just sitting and watching the feeder if I had that much activity. Thanks for sharing with us. Bob

Good series, Dave! I enjoyed seeing all the activity in your yard!

Now that's a show Dave thanks for sharing.

Thanks all for looking and commenting.

I have to say I don't look on field mice as being vermin. Mind you, I quite like house mice and rats too, though these two are quite a potential problem around the house. Certainly our field mice come some way down the list, a good way after pigeons, magpies and the local cat population, in terms of nuisance value. My wife would probably include spiders too, but I like spiders.

Your Field Mouse looks very much like our Deer Mouse.

Ron, I've just looked up the Deer Mouse. They certainly do look similar, but they are different families according to the internet.