A year ago it was a very different story……..birds!

Yes I stopped feeding the birds because of rats

My next door neighbour puts fat balls on her back garden path. Guess what she is feeding? Nothing in our garden for her rats to eat, thank goodness, and nowhere, such as decking, rubbish etc. for them to hide in. I've never seen one and my dogs don't seem to smell them, but I have poison bait boxes down anyway. I can't understand people risking attracting rats like this.

Experience tells us we would get rats, so no feeders, but entertaining flocks of startlings pecking at the grass after rain.

You have a great variety, lovely to see wagtails. My suburban garden has wood pigeons and magpies, along with my resident Robin and a few sparrows. At one time I had most of the species that you have named. I was a bit worried about urban rats and although I’ve never seen one just hearing about them put me off using the bird feeder. Maybe I’ll try again and sit out in the garden then clean the bird table if there’s anything left.

Your patience has been rewarded.
Wish I could sit in your garden and watch them !