Having enjoyed watching the various visitors to the garden via the wildlife camera, I decided to treat myself to a bird feeder camera, so I would have a record of what birds visit the garden. The camera has now been in place for 12 months.
Not all of our winged visitors use the bird feeder camera, but most do. Our most common feathered friends who visit include robins, great tits, blue tits, blackbirds and sparrows. Occasionally, one or two others will pop by too.
Unfortunately, one non-feathered friend discovered the bird feeder camera recently… Mr Squirrel! I haven’t found out how he’s getting to it yet, though I do suspect he’s jumping from the wall, in which case there isn’t much I can do about it. I don’t mind him making use of our other bird feeders, but I’d rather he didn’t use this one.
The camera used is a Birdfy Feeder. It is solar powered and I can connect to it from anywhere using the supplied Birdfy app. Not only can I view saved videos, but I can also view the live feed from anywhere. It’s always exciting to discover a new bird using the feeder or to watch younger birds being fed by their parents.
Do you have a wildlife or bird feeder camera?
47 Comments
Beverley
Hi Nikki. I don’t have a bird feeder camera but having seen your lovely footage I think it would be an excellent addition to the garden. Thank you for sharing.
Nikki
Thanks for dropping by. I’m certainly glad I got one. 🙂
David Gascoigne
Brings back great memories of visits to the UK of common, yet delightful garden birds. I loved the capture of the female House Sparrow taking a little nap and the male feeding a female. Looks like you have a great wildflower meadow behind your house too. I don’t know of anyone with a feeder camera. Perhaps our cold winters have something to do with that. In January and February it is not unusual for the temperature to dip to minus 20 -25 overnight.
Nikki
Apparently, the camera’s operating temperature is -10°C to 50°C, but it is easy enough to unclip it off and bring it indoors.
Eastside Cats
And sound too!
Henry just lost his wee cat mind when he heard the chirps.
Very cool invention.
Nikki
Silky sat on my lap after I had put the footage together, and she watched it intently to make sure it was good enough for uploading!
Kelly
We just have regular feeders that I keep filled with black oil sunflower seeds. My daughter has one similar to this and she’ll share stills a short clips with me.
I loved your video!! It’s amazing how quickly five minutes passes when you’re watching birds! Yours are so different from ours, but I could identify several of them. I got tickled at the one who flew up with what looked like a worm in its mouth… and the one who I thought was going to take a little nap. Thanks for putting it together for us!
Nikki
Thank you. I’m glad the effort is appreciated!
tomthebackroadstraveller
..Nikki, I’m a bit old fashion, I view my feeders through the windows!
Nikki
I view the other feeders through the window, but this one shows me what I would otherwise miss.
somewhereinireland
Awesome images of the birds. I only see the birds when I am out and about and walking through the river walks I take.
Anne Sandler
A bird feeder camera is a great idea! And the video is amazing!
A ShutterBug Explores
No birdfeeder camera here ~ Do enjoy the birds that come except for the ‘grackles’ who come in droves and eat too much ~ along with Mr. Squirrel ~ a contentious one for us all ~ Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog.
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Johanna Bradley
I had no idea such a thing existed. The birds seem quite suspicious of the food at the outset. It’s interesting to watch, Nikki.
hena
I have seen other people share footage from their bird feeder cameras as well.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Hi Nikki, I saw your comment on my Sunday Still post. It came up anonymous so I thought I’d visit. My neighbor also has a bird feeder camera…very cool. Now I have to check it out after seeing yours
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
What a great investment – my husband (who’s turning out to be a bit of a bird watcher in his ‘old age’) would be very envious. Your backyard is gorgeous with your garden and all the space you have to look out over. The birds are the icing on the cake!
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
Hi Nikki – I had to come back and tell you that your post inspired me so much that I went and bought one for my husband for his birthday – he’s become a middle aged bird lover – I think he’s going to get a real kick out of it. 🙂
Kris P
My cat pawed my PC’s screen when I played your video, Nikki!
Ann C
We have a clear, plastic bird feeder attached to our dining room window. That way, we can see the birds while they’re feeding, but we don’t record it.
Nikki
I suspect my two indoor cats would frighten the birds away from a feeder on the window!
Anca
With so many birds visiting your bird feeder is clear why you wanted a camera. It’s lovely to see the little ones enjoy their food.
Margaret
What a wonderful idea, as I had no idea there was such a thing as a bird camera.
I enjoyed the video, fascinated actually, and watching a mum feed her young, interesting. The video is very clear, and the snow looked amazing.
Astrid
No, I don’t have a bird feeder camera, we don’t even have a bird feeder anymore for where we live in the senior complex they are afraid that the food will attrack rats. What a wonderful video that is. Even sheep in the background and snow and lots, lots of birds. That looks close to paradise where you live 🙂
What a fun post today, Nikki.
Have a wonderful day.
Nikki
I’m lucky that we live on the edge of a village, on the side of a hill, overlooking the rest of the village and with a field behind us.
Alan Rolfe
That seems like fun to be able to see who’s on the feeder. I can;t get to the video at the moment but I’ll try it later on.
Nikki
I hope you managed to view the video.
Jo
Oh my goodness, I’d never get anything done if I had that camera, haha. Brilliant that you can watch live too. I always enjoy watching the birds from my window but this takes it to a whole new level.
jeanie
We have a Mr. Squirrel too, though this year he has been far less present. Those birds can eat you out of house and home! I love your sweet robin. English robins are prettier and daintier than our American version. I saw my first in October and was totally enchanted!
Kim Carberry
I would love one of these cameras. It must be so interesting to see all the visitors to your bird feeder.
Nikki
It’s very interesting!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
What a splendid robin. He looks well enough fed already! I see he has a pal in the video.
Adele
Love the pair of robins. It is remarkably hard to stop squirrels from getting somewhere they’re determined to reach.
Ginnie Hart
OMG, Nikki. I had no idea you could set up your own bird-feeder camera like this. I would be in heaven. Everything…to the difference in bird sizes and how many different kinds there are, plus how many are in the feeder at the same time, how plump some of them are, how watchful they are, all the different seed, the wee bird who kept closing its eye, the snow!…and the sheep in the background!!! How fabulous!
Nikki
I think it’s my favourite gadget!
Ann
How lovely! I love watching the birds at our feeder so a camera sounds worthwhile checking out!
Peter B.
Wonderful photo and video. Those birdfeeder cameras are amazing! I didn’t realize you could get solar powered cameras.
Nikki
It’s so handy not having to take it down to charge it.
Ed
Great video – thanks for sharing!
CherryPie
The footage from your birdfeed camera is stunning. It is lovely to see the birds close up.
lisl
I hope you are able to put it somewhere out of the reach of the squirrel, Nikki. I have four in my garden, and they are just so clever always devising new ways to get at carefully placed feeders
Karalee
A bird feeder camera is a lovely idea, and I enjoyed watching the video of the birds that visited your garden.
Tanja
nice video!how fun to have the camera in your garden
Tanja
nice video!how fun to have the camera in your garden and to see all the birds
Angie
Nikki – I haven’t been around the blogging community for a while, so it was nice to see your comment on my blog from back in February!
I have a wildlife camera that has captured many critters from bears to elk to coyotes. But your post is the first I have seen of Birdfy, and I am really fascinated by it. Thanks so much for making me aware of this!
Juvenal Nunes
Uma ideia muito interessante.
A natureza merece sempre ser protegida.
Boa Páscoa.
Abraço de amizade.
Juvenal Nunes
Phil
A wonderful idea, with some great close up encounters you’ve shared. Thanks Nikki!