Jackdaws, hand-feeding nuthatches, and...Mandarin Ducks?!

Today was another cold, but sunny Sunday, and I just had to get out of the city-part of the city...so I headed to the Grosser Garten by bike. On they was I stopped near the Russian church, to observe a spread out flock of Corvids which consisted mainly of Rooks (30+), but also included a 2 Carrion Crows and my first (2) Jackdaws for Germany (they were quite common in the Netherlands in early June when I went this year). Interestingly, there were no Hooded Crows, and until now I have never seen Hooded Crow associate with Rooks...next posting will probably include a photo study of Corvids in Dresden, including the hybrids I have observed here.

At the Grosser Garten I went to a new spot which held a pond full of Mallards and, funny enough, Mandarin Ducks! There were 11 drakes (only one in eclipse plumage) and 4 hens; all simply gorgeous birds, and the explanation as to why they were there is probably because there is the nearby Dresden Zoo at the southwestern corner of the park! However, I'm not sure all 15 birds escaped...possibly they have established a small population in he park, which is interesting. For the most part, they seem to be getting along with the Mallards. Will keep an eye on them throughout the year.

There were also 4 Juvenal Mute Swans (2 already mostly in 1st-winter plumage of mostly white) and a lone Black-headed Gull (in basic plumage) on the lake just east of the Palace in the park.

After watching the Hooded and Carrion Crows and 1 hybrid around the Palace, and after a quick sketch of the hybrid, I went to the magic corner to try feeding the birds by hand. I brought both shelled sunflower seeds and walnuts, and I stood patiently with my right hand, filled first with some sunflower seeds, outstretched, eager to experience what will happen next. Not a minute latter a swarm of Great Tits surrounded me, peaking out of the shrubs inquisitively...then a brave one flitted out nervously and hovered above my hand for a second then landed, looked at me, then picked a seed, decided it was not good enough, dropped i,t and picked another, more suitable one, and then took off. Now I have never had the pleasure of experience bird banding, however I believe that what I felt today was much better, because these birds CAME TO ME! They trusted me and I felt some new and warm feeling inside (I know, sorry it's mushy!) that these birds really trusted me, and I was helping them by fattening them up for the cold nights and weather ahead. It was a new facet to bird appreciation, and made me feel more connected with the birds. It is good to learn how to differentiate the different species, but know individual birds is great. To take care of broad bird habitats is caring, but feeding and caring for individuals makes you feel even greater.
I soon took out the walnuts, crushed them, and then had seed and walnuts in separate hands for a bit of experimenting. The birds evidently are were not dumb, as they repeatedly always flew and took from the hand with the richer-in-fat walnuts, rather than the sunflower! Also after about 10+ Great Tits took about 50 seeds, the normally shy Nuthatch finally came to my hand, and I was just ecstatic...though I felt how they have sharper claws then the perching birds :) Then, the even more nervous, but aesthetically-pleasing Blue Tit came for a bite...think I should start a bird in hand list? I imagine some banders have such lists :)

Only other bird of interest was a single adult (European) Goldfinch, another first for Dresden city, but not Germany. That's all for now, good birding everyone, cheers!