Not the usual sausage in mash version, but an actual toad in a hole in our garden.
I noticed it last night while watering the plants in the greenhouse; I thought it was a mouse but it then appeared from the undergrowth.
It appeared to be wary of me, but not completely overwhelmed once it could see I meant it now harm.
The good news is the toad is still there tonight so is obviously enjoying our garden and I'm happy to welcome a new animal to the garden as it will eat slugs, snails and other animals that want to eat my plants!
I think I've worked out where the toad lives so will be keeping an eye out and updating the blog with further news.
This morning, after my daughter's 5am alarm call, I was able to watch some of the birds in and around our house and noticed another new bird.
A female blackcap was among a family of chiffchaffs, my returning great tits and a sole robin chick.
It was great to see and hear all the birds going about their daily routines and the families feeding together. The whole scene reminded me of my own family growing together and the early alarm call was soon forgotten.
Maybe I'll get up at 5am most days (during the summer) to see what else is happening in and around where we live.
Wednesday 22 June 2011
Sunday 12 June 2011
IT'S RAINING ON MY PARADE
So this is 'flaming June'? I think not!
A day of constant rain has left the few garden visitors looking more bedraggled by the minute.
I'm sure the worms are not the only ones loving this weather. The reservoirs that needed a little drink along with rivers and farmers must be pleased.
This afternoon I watched a chiffchaff taking aphids from my blooming rose hedge, hoping he would stay around to eat all of them, but he stayed only for a few minutes.
A robin and blackbird then took advantage of the wet conditions bringing out all sizes of worms, although they took a soaking in the first place.
The next two days forecast warmer and drier weather and I'm hoping the plants, vegetables and fruit in my garden will benefit from today's soaking and have a growth surge this week.
Not much opportunity to see the swallows today, but I think the youngsters are near to fledging.
More updates later this week when I'm able to get out a bit more.
A day of constant rain has left the few garden visitors looking more bedraggled by the minute.
I'm sure the worms are not the only ones loving this weather. The reservoirs that needed a little drink along with rivers and farmers must be pleased.
This afternoon I watched a chiffchaff taking aphids from my blooming rose hedge, hoping he would stay around to eat all of them, but he stayed only for a few minutes.
A robin and blackbird then took advantage of the wet conditions bringing out all sizes of worms, although they took a soaking in the first place.
The next two days forecast warmer and drier weather and I'm hoping the plants, vegetables and fruit in my garden will benefit from today's soaking and have a growth surge this week.
Not much opportunity to see the swallows today, but I think the youngsters are near to fledging.
More updates later this week when I'm able to get out a bit more.
Thursday 2 June 2011
A NEW CHAPTER
And so after the great tit chicks fledged and the parents to the eight youngsters to explore the countryside around our house, we're left with an empty nestbox and the hope that the youngsters make it through the perils life will throw at them.
In the meantime my partner, Sarah, has now chosen to brighten our garden with her annual window box and hanging baskets display.
Every year she produces wonderful arrangements of colourful flowers brightening up our garden - you can see an example of this with one of my images on the main blog page.
This year she's had a little help from our daughter, Poppy, in the form of pointing and some early stage speaking - which doesn't make sense.
So the next chapter of this blog will feature the every growing hanging baskets and window box, along with the various plants, vegetables and fruit we have growing in the garden.
I'll be keeping an eye out on other wildlife, including a second brood for the blackbirds next door and the flocks of goldfinches in the surrounding fields.
To begin below is a picture of the hanging baskets and window box just minutes after they've been planted out.
In the meantime my partner, Sarah, has now chosen to brighten our garden with her annual window box and hanging baskets display.
Every year she produces wonderful arrangements of colourful flowers brightening up our garden - you can see an example of this with one of my images on the main blog page.
This year she's had a little help from our daughter, Poppy, in the form of pointing and some early stage speaking - which doesn't make sense.
So the next chapter of this blog will feature the every growing hanging baskets and window box, along with the various plants, vegetables and fruit we have growing in the garden.
I'll be keeping an eye out on other wildlife, including a second brood for the blackbirds next door and the flocks of goldfinches in the surrounding fields.
To begin below is a picture of the hanging baskets and window box just minutes after they've been planted out.
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