Wednesday 31 December 2014

WINTER GRIPS WITH FROST AND SNOW

There’s been a few very cold nights recently and with the heavy frosts and snow, it’s meant our wildlife is facing up to the depths of our winter.

The garden has seen a layer of snow, which has now turned very icy and some areas of the lawn are inaccessible for the birds and small mammals.

I’ve noticed that the bird feeders are quickly being eaten, while the food that inadvertently drops on the floor is quickly being hoovered up, by a combination of birds, mice and voles.

The long tailed tits are now spending regular time in the garden and I can hear them coming well before they arrive.

A couple of robins are now singing a number of times a day as they defend their territory ready for the breeding season.

As 2015 approaches we’re heading for a mild spell of weather, but I suspect another very cold snap will soon be with us, once again testing the resilience of our wildlife.

One of the first jobs of 2015 will be to fit the new power cable to the original nest box camera and monitor both for winter roosting and early signs of nesting.

Nest building in 2014 started in late February, was delayed by a cold snap, before recommencing in the middle of March.

The first chicks were heard in the middle of April and a total of four broods in both the blue tit nest box and sparrow nest box, but both for sparrows, house and tree.

The swallows first appeared on 16th April, so will they be earlier or later in 2015? As they are my favourite bird, joint first with the peregrine falcon, I hope it’s earlier.

So here’s to a wildlife friendly 2015 and both of my bird nest box cameras working!

Sunday 21 December 2014

FEED THE BIRDS, LET THEM KNOW IT'S FEEDING TIME...

Despite a few frosty nights at low altitude and some briefly snowy ones at higher levels, the start of winter has generally followed the pattern in autumn, with fairly mild conditions.

I know winter has been mild because the long tailed tits have only been seen a couple of times and when it’s cold they come in to the garden a few times a day.

Another clue has been in the flora, with a number of plants still growing. The roses were still flowering last week, while I still had a few red tomatoes in the first week of December.

But in the last few days the pyracantha bush (see below images) has spawned a number of flowers and new leaves. I’ve never seen this before and wonder if it will continue to do so throughout winter.

 
 
According to the latest reports we’re heading for a very cold winter, but I’m not yet convinced because just when a cold spell starts, a mild spell of weather is waiting around the corner to come in.

While it’s not always good for some, a cold winter with a prolonged spell of freezing weather will help us and our wildlife. It’ll kill off lots of bugs and leave a healthy population of wildlife ready for the breeding season

So if it starts to get cold again I hope many people will ‘feed the birds’. Perhaps Bob Geldof would like to release a new version of his ‘famous’ song? Then again he’ll probably say bo!!*@ks to it…

Have a good Christmas.

Sunday 14 December 2014

FIRST STORM OF THE WINTER, BUT NO SNOW

The first winter storm didn’t hit as hard as was predicted in the garden, though I know it was particularly vicious across Scotland.

Although it has been followed by colder weather, the predicted snow didn’t materialise for the wildlife around the house, though it is quite rare to see here.

Birds of prey have been seen with increased regularity in recent weeks, in the form of buzzards and a kestrel. The latter even landed on a neighbour’s window ledge while it scoured the gardens for a meal. It didn’t appear to be successful, but it shows how more birds are using gardens for a source of food.

Even the buzzards, I know there is more than one as I’ve seen two within sight of the garden at once, are flying low over the gardens almost daily. A few years ago one even landed in the garden!

The great spotted woodpecker has also been back a few times in the last week, while a couple of jays have also been spotted regularly and the long tailed tits are now using the garden as a ‘winter stop off’ for food. I know it’s cold and there’s a lack of food when they come into the garden

Obviously those three aren’t as regular as the daily visitors – blue tits, great tits, blackbirds, wrens, robins, dunnocks, house sparrows and tree sparrows.

I’ve seen goldfinches up and down the lane recently, but not yet in the garden.

With colder temperatures set to continue, despite a potential brief ‘warmer’ spell in midweek, I expect I’ll have to fill the bird feeders with increased frequency.

Snow anyone?

Tuesday 2 December 2014

WINTER IS HERE

Winter has started to bite this week and my peanut feeder has been constantly surrounded by a large flock of house and tree sparrows, with the odd blue and great tit.

A male and female blackbird have been seen mopping up any scraps dropped on the floor, while the resident robin is also hanging around, trying to mimic the tits but hanging onto the feeders.

While all this is happening in the front garden, out the back, which is an outbuilding and track to the manor house, the resident robin is singing and continually standing on a particular branch of a small tree overlooking the residency.

I’m not sure if there’s a suitable nesting site nearby, but I’ll keep an eye out and see if I can spot any nest building in spring.

Meanwhile I’m occasionally seeing a wren around the rear robin’s residency. It’s not around for a long time, but flits in and out of little crevices picking up little bits of food.

The great spotted woodpecker is also back, taking a keen interest in the fat snacks. It’s a male and I’m wondering if it’s the same one that has been spotted regularly in the garden over the last couple of years.

So, as the winter chill continues I’ll be keeping an eye out for all the wildlife in the garden, to see who is struggling and who is making the most of my handouts.

Saturday 22 November 2014

WHEN WILL AUTUMN TURN TO WINTER?

After a few months away due to illness, the wildlife blog is back as we approach winter and the shortest daylight hours of the year.

The weather has so far been kind to the wildlife in the garden, although I’m sure it will soon change and make the offerings I put out for the birds even more vital.

I’ve not been able to fix the broken power cable to the nest box camera, but I hope it can be fixed before the box becomes a roosting place for one or more of the small garden birds.

The six regular visitors over the last couple of weeks have been; blue tit, great tit, robin, blackbird, tree sparrow and house sparrow.

I’ve also seen magpies taking some of the fat snacks, but one visitor I didn’t expect was a kestrel, which caused consternation among the garden birds, although non fell prey to its claws.

I’m now starting to feed the birds regularly and once the colder weather grips expect to see a few more types of birds – and hopefully the great spotted woodpecker.

The local tawny owl population has been decorating the long dark nights with calls, although I’m yet to see any of them in the day time.

Now I’m off for another walk down the lane to see what animals are out and about.

Sunday 31 August 2014

LOOKING BACK AT SPRING CHANGES

This week, with the weather turning towards settled, warm and dry conditions I’m going to look at the transformation the garden makes during spring.

In a series of images I’ll be looking at what happened in March and April this year. In later blog posts I’ll show the summer, autumn and winter changes, some of which will be quite spectacular.

Before that the swallows are starting to gather in big numbers on the local telephone wires and have spent the last couple of nights feasting on the variety of flying insects that are taking to the skies now the evenings are warming up a little.

Although some have already gone, I suspect many of the ones that are still here might stay for this week at least, as the food supply appears to be here in large numbers.

I’m still getting the usual garden visitors, although mainly the blue tits, great tits, house sparrows and tree sparrows. The robins, blackbirds, dunnocks and wrens appear to be still enjoying the wider expanse of the fields and hedgerows beyond the garden.

March





 
April


 

Monday 25 August 2014

IS AUGUST THE 'NEW' START TO AUTUMN?

It certainly looks like summer is now over and autumn has started to talk us on the long journey to winter.

Although Bank Holiday weekends are notorious for poor weather, this particular one comes on the back of over a week of cold and wet conditions.

The number of small birds in the garden has increased rapidly, with many chicks from this year clearly visible. The peanuts and fat snacks are disappearing at a faster rate than during January!

Two major things I’ve noticed during this inclement weather are the swallows gathering in large numbers, before seemingly moving away and starting the journey to Africa.

The other is the lack of butterflies and other insects –although that’s not really a surprise because if I were them I’d be hiding somewhere warm and dry.

When the sun shines through it can quickly get warm and then some insects do appear, only for more rain to come along and them to quickly search for the nearest cover.

I think the weather has certainly stopped the seemingly unstoppable breeding power of the tree and house sparrows. Both parents appear to have settled on four broods this year.

This gives me the chance to take down the nest boxes, clean them, but most importantly confirm the problem that blighted the viewing of the house sparrows’ prolific breeding.

News from that next time, while I’m looking at doing a season series of images showcasing life in the garden. The first images will be from March and I will continue until the end of February next year to give an image of life in a small countryside garden.

Tuesday 5 August 2014

TIME FOR A SUMMER STORM?

Is the summer finally over? It would appear that the forecasted ‘summer storm’ is signalling the early start of autumn, although I live in hope that the remainder of August will bring sunshine and warmth.

The cooler (not cold) weather is certainly good for the gardens and crop growers, but now we’ll need to see some sunny weather to help the final crops reach their maximum potential.

While the numbers of insects, butterflies and bees has slowed somewhat, there are still plenty about when the sun comes out.

What is proving remarkable is the tree and house sparrow parents appear to be raising a fourth brood!

I heard today the first faint cries from newly hatched chicks, which I’m amazed at – although slightly frustrated because of the failure of both nest box cameras to deliver footage of these chicks.

The garden has started to fill up with families of small birds recently, as the parents appear to be completing their annual moult and showing their offspring which gardens are good to visit for food.

I only wish the garden was bigger so I could provide more nesting sites, but maybe one day that will be the case.

The next blog post will be in the aftermath of this storm that is meant to be arriving this weekend, the remnants of Hurricane Bertha.

Saturday 26 July 2014

THERE'S A WREN IN MY KITCHEN...

This week has been hot again, although it looks like next week could bring normal summer conditions and a little better conditions for sleeping in for many. 

By regularly watering the plants and vegetables, they have grown very well in the hot climate, particularly the sunflowers and poppies.

Both of these had debilitating starts when a number of young plants were lost to slugs and snails, which were a by-product of a warm winter.

Luckily I managed to put a stop to most of the snails and slugs – leaving some to keep the balance of nature – and the plants have responded magnificently.

Here are two pictures of the sunflowers, one showing just how many seeds it will be producing later in the summer and autumn, which the small gardens will thoroughly enjoy.

 
 
The poppies have been great and I’ve grown an Icelandic Poppy for the first time, this is the orange one below.

 
 
The buddleia is attracting endless numbers of butterflies and look like doing so for a few weeks yet.

 
Finally for this week there was a shock visitor that entered the kitchen from the garden, a fledgling wren.

After a few minutes the little fella was outside, but looking very miserable and with low survival hopes from me.

 
Fortunately after about ten minutes the fledgling had perked up enough to be climbing around the rose bush, calling and looking very much better.
 

A good end to the week.

Monday 21 July 2014

SUMMER THUNDERSTORMS BRING RELIEF TO THE HEATWAVE

This week must be all about the summer weather, in particular the thunderstorms that swept the country and delivered much needed rain to many places, along with flashes of excitement.

In the garden the thunderstorms arrived in the early hours and while the thunder and lightning had left by 9am, the rain continued all morning and led to flooding down the lane that leads to the house.

But it was all over fairly quickly and the sun soon returned to dry up most of the water and provide the flora and fauna with some energy with which to continue growing.

I managed to take some images of the lightning, although not exactly very successfully. It only lasted for a couple of hours and trying to predict where the next flash would be turned out harder than I imagined.

The three flashes I did manage to capture show the garden and beyond lit up like it was daylight, but I can assure you it was pitch black at the time.

 
 
 
In other news the third tree and house sparrow broods are close to fledging and a number of blue tit chicks have been frequenting the garden, although I’m not sure if they fledged nearby or are simply visitors from the area who have happened on the garden.

The sunflowers are growing rapidly and at least four are as tall as me, with one over 10ft tall. More about them and the buddleia flowering which is attracting numerous butterflies next week, which means the diary of images about the garden growing will start in August.
 
 

Sunday 13 July 2014

A BUMPER BREEDING SEASON?

Plenty of butterflies and moths have been in and around the garden recently, which makes me think it’s been a good year for them.

The most ‘popular’ attendees to the garden are the orange tip butterfly and the cinnabar moth, both of whom have been seen daily in the garden.

I’m beginning to think this has been a significant boom year for our small garden birds. I’ve now seen two lots of blue tit fledglings, the latest this week and the robins are looking distinctly scruffy, which makes me think they’re on to their third brood.

The blackbirds have had at least two, the swallows second brood also fledged this week and there appears to be large numbers of magpies and goldfinches.

But the big news on the nesting front is that both the house sparrows and tree sparrows are busy raising a third brood in the garden nest boxes.

The parents seem to be having a competition with each other as to who can raise the most chicks, as invariably when I can hear chicks in one nest the other follows with a day or so.

I’m not sure how many have fledged from each nest since April, but it must be double figures.

I very much doubt there’ll be a fourth fledging, but with the hedgerows around the garden swaying under the weight of sparrows, I wouldn’t be surprised.

What it must mean is it’ll also be a bumper year for the birds of prey. I know there’s a few sparrowhawk around here and certainly kestrels. The crows, magpies and jays may also pick of a few weaker young too, plus the resident little and tawny owls might pinch a couple from night roosts.

In the next couple of weeks I’ll be showcasing the transformation of the garden, showing images taken at weekly intervals from March this year.

The transformation is stunning, well I think so.

Monday 30 June 2014

SUMMER BRINGS SUNSHINE, GROWING PLANTS AND DISAPPEARING BIRDS

The warm weather was interrupted by a few heavy showers and plenty of rain this weekend. While it’s great to be able to sit in the garden and enjoy being amongst the wildlife, the wet weather is most definitely welcome, both for the flora and fauna.

I did feel sorry for the birds who visited the garden looking like they had been swimming, and also the bees who got a pounding from the raindrops as they tried to gather nectar from the flowers.

I’m hoping to continue harvesting the vegetable crops this week, following the broad beans that made a tasty and welcome addition to the homemade paella I cooked this week.

The potatoes should be ready soon, while the runner beans and tomatoes should start showing by the end of July.

Of course the broad beans will still be harvested for the next few weeks and I’m delighted that they’ve done so well considering I’ve not grown them before in the garden.

The sunflowers are really starting to grow, with one now over six feet tall. I think they’ll be half a dozen that will exceed six feet and I’m sure the birds will welcome the seeds in early autumn.

The birds are now making themselves scarce; only the robins, blackbirds and goldfinches regularly visible now.

I have seen a few chiffchaffs, and heard plenty, but I’m not sure if they’re feeding youngsters or not. I suspect they are, but where is beyond me so far.

With the height of summer fast approaching I know the bird visits will decrease and I’ll have to concentrate on what’s growing in the garden, although the insects will take over to some degree, particularly the numbers of butterflies and moths, more of which next week.

Of course this will last until late summer when the young small birds that have survived the dangerous first couple of months return to a place their parents have used to feed, shelter and breed.

Monday 23 June 2014

NEW ARRIVALS AMID SUMMER SUN

Little did I realise when I wrote my blog post last week that my imminent new arrival was exactly that.

A day after posting the latest update the garden saw another arrival, this time of the human variety and our second daughter.

Bizarrely a rose that emerged at the time our first daughter was born suddenly emerged again this week.

 
The rose plant hasn’t really grown in six years, but occasionally produces a lovely flower. Nature has a funny way of showing us things and while it’s likely to be coincidence, I’d like to think the garden was in some way saying congratulations.

With warm weather continuing to bathe the garden, the plants are reacting with growth spurts, albeit once I’ve provided enough water.

The blackbirds, house sparrows, tree sparrows, blue tits, great tits and robins are now fairly regular visitors to the garden, with most still appearing to have young, either in the nest or having recently fledged.

I’ve not seen many youngsters recently, but I’ve heard lots of chattering in the trees and bushes with parent birds appearing to be flying rapidly between the food sources in my garden and the fledglings in the canopy.

The swallow numbers have continually grown and this is most evident during the period just after dawn and early evening.

With shorter tails it’s easy to identify the youngsters from this year, but with plenty of them and the speed in which they all fly together, counting how may there are is almost impossible.

I've also seen a few house martins around and occasionally swifts – both of which I've seen in previous years and I know nest nearby – so I'm hoping this is a good sign that breeding has been good for them this year.

The slug and snail invasion is showing no sign of slowing down. The casualties mount up daily, although I do try and put live ones in our recyclable green waste bin so they can be ‘relocated’.

I’m hoping to have my first crop harvested this week, which will be the broad beans. It’s hard to tell when they’re exactly right to pick, but I’m looking forward to creating some dishes with them as a key ingredient.

Saturday 14 June 2014

YOUNG FLEDGLINGS EVERYWHERE!

Due to the imminent arrival of a new baby in my house, I’ve been pretty busy ‘feathering the nest’ in anticipation.

During the last two weeks there’s been lots of activity in the garden and in the surrounding area.

The first brood of swallows fledged and within days were gathered in a big family group chasing of a bird of prey. I didn’t have enough time to see it before the bird disappeared, but my thinking was either a merlin or kestrel. It was too big for a buzzard and I’m not sure if hobbys are around this area.

Two more fledgings in the garden with both the tree and house sparrows with their second broods of the year.

Unfortunately one of the fledglings jumped out this morning and fell straight into a bucket in the garden. It was dead by the time I reached it at 7.30am and probably suggests it left the nest fairly early this morning when it was first light, about 4am.

The blue tits and great tits appear to be either busy with another brood or still keeping up with their first lot. Both sets of parents are looking a little ragged and it won’t surprise me if they stop coming to the garden soon, particularly if they have no second brood.

The female blackbird has been absent for many days now, while the male is always in full voice at dawn and dusk, and often lots of times during the day. It leads me to believe that another brood is on its way.

All of the flora is looking good with the first emergence of ladybird poppies and the foxgloves in full bloom. The bee rush on the escallonia bush has subsided as the flowers start to diminish in number, but the foxgloves are providing another good source of nectar and pollen in the garden – just at the right time.

Only one negative was the return of the snails and slugs, mainly on the potato plants. The numbers were soon reduced, but only time will tell if the potatoes are ok.

The hanging baskets will feature next week as the birds head off to explore the big wide world and moult.

Sunday 1 June 2014

BEES IN ABUNDANCE

This week I’ve been fascinated by the bees in the garden. There has been an almost constant hum of noise around the escallonia bush, with at least 15-20 bumblebees and the odd honey bee making the most of the nectar on offer.

I recently trimmed the bush back, after previously allowing it to grow for a couple of years. It has flowered every year, but not to this extent.
 
Here’s an idea of how it’s grown from 2008, 2009 and present day.



 
I’ve so far been able to identify three types of bees visiting the escallonia; the red tailed bumblebee, buff tailed bumblebee and early bumblebee.



 
If anyone can identify any more than please let me know.

Finally for this bee-fest, here’s a video of the escallonia. Next week I’ll have an update on the flora, including the vegetables I’m growing.
 
 

Monday 26 May 2014

GROWING CROPS, FLEDGINGS AND SNAIL WAR PART II

Tonight is the start of BBC Springwatch and I'm really looking forward to this annual extravaganza.

The house sparrow family in the tit nest box with the ‘broken’ camera, have fledged this week and both parents have been busy feeding the youngster.

The garden has become a very popular feeding station for the house and tree sparrows, so much so that the great tits, blue tits and robins are often out-competed for food by the gangs of sparrows.

In two days they went through two full feeders of peanuts, 250g of mealworms and two fat snacks. It was literally a feeding frenzy from dawn until dusk.

I did think about checking the nest box camera and buying, then fitting, a new power cable, but I’m going to leave them until I know the breeding season has finished.

I’m guessing the mother house sparrow will soon be on eggs again and I don’t want to disturb her.

This is something I think the tree sparrows are already on with, so maybe the sound of another hungry brood of sparrows will be heard in the garden again soon.

The swallows appear to be almost complete with the nest building and ready to start laying eggs and incubating. Updated on the first fledgings will on here soon – I hope!

Both the robins and blackbirds haven’t been seen for a week or so, which I suspect is down to the fact they’ve got fledglings and/or are sitting on a second brood of eggs.

I know the nearest robin family is nesting close to the garden and in the same area as a wren family, how much I’ll find about where the nests are, is something I’ll know more of later this summer. I plan to explore the area around the stream in the hope it’ll be a much drier than it is now and not get wet!

The slugs and snails, though fewer in number, are still after my plants, so dose number two of the pellets came into force overnight. The marigolds have been the hardest hit and just when the sole survivor looked to be growing again, another attack came and bypassed the pellets.

Last night that mission failed and the casualties are now stricken around the marigold and a couple of other plants.
 

The carrots are starting to grow while the potatoes are doing very well. Hopefully they’ll help in breaking up the soil in the garden area of the joint land and yield better crops in coming years.

Until then let’s have some sunshine, more fledglings and big juicy crops.

Sunday 18 May 2014

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED, JUST AS THE SNAILS ARE 'LEAVING'

Those damn snails stretched and broke my patience after eating numerous new plants that I’d put outside, meaning about 40 per cent had been killed or brutally attacked by snails and slugs.

Enough was enough and I bought some eco-friendly pellets to protect the remaining and newly planted greenery.

In one night I estimate over 40 snails and slugs fell victim to the pellets, while several more have done the same in the following nights. I also ‘rehomed’ about 20 in the last couple of days so I’m hoping the attack on my plants will soon be over.

I took delivery of a box of mealworms this week and they’ve been readily accepted by a number of house and tree sparrow parents along with a great tit family.

The tree sparrow family have already raised one brood and I suspect the second one is not too far away, while the house sparrow youngsters are very noisy when food is being handed out.

Unfortunately the issues I’ve had with my nest box cameras has meant I can’t see inside any nest boxes this year – very frustrating, but great to know nature is carrying on as normal and that new types of birds are utilising the nest boxes.

Here’s one of the house sparrow parents waiting to fly to the tit nest box to feed its youngster. They’re getting used to us slowly, but still create lots of noise when near the nest!
 

I managed to track the great tit on its feeding forages between the place I put the mealworms, to the nest. It’s located behind the house in the garden of the farm house behind. About twenty foot up an old oak tree, hidden away in thick ivy is a number of great chick tits in a cosy nest – feeding on mealworms.

I’ve not seen the robins for a few days, while the blackbirds have also been scarce, apart from the males singing from roost posts at dusk.

The swallows are obviously enjoying the recent weather and the plethora of insects. Their song and aerobatic flight is a joy to watch and listen to. It may only last for a few months, but it’s still my favourite part of summer.

So the next week will bring wet, but fairly warm weather which is great for the growing plants, although it gives the snails and slugs the perfect conditions to try and destroy my plants!

This time I have a better defence, or so I think…

In the meantime here’s some of the broad beans and one of the foxgloves are getting on. Don't ask me why but they won't face the right way!

 

Sunday 11 May 2014

SNAILS, SLUGS AND SUNFLOWERS

It feels like it should be April rather than May. Sunshine and heavy showers this week are providing excellent conditions for the flora to grow, although given the temperatures each day haven’t been high, significant growth may have to wait until it gets warmer.

I think the tree sparrow chicks in the triple nest box have fledged this week, but there are more that have hatched in the tit nest box with the broken camera.

It’s very frustrating that I can hear the chicks, but can’t see them particularly as it’s a new species that has nested in the one box.

I’ve tested the power cable and it would seem to be beyond repair, but until I can get in the nest box to test a spare cable, I just won’t know.

In other news it appears the swallows are once again nesting in the horse stables; a place they moved to when the small outbuildings at the back of the house didn’t suit anymore.

The wrens and robins are very vocal at the moment around the garden, particularly when a cat is around, which leads me to believe that they both have young chicks.

It may just be my garden, but there has been a huge amount of snails this spring. Most of them have been devouring some of my young plants, with the sunflowers being affected most.

I’ve been gathering about ten a night and they have all been ‘re-housed’ in the garden waste bin, along with grass cuttings and plenty of twigs and leaves.

Not sure if they appreciate the new home, but as long as they’re not eating my sunflowers I’ve not got much sympathy for them – I won’t kill them unless it’s absolutely necessary.

There is some promise of warm weather coming in the next few weeks, so I’m hoping to get the tomatoes outside and watch all the flowers and vegetables growing rapidly.

Perhaps even the onions will emerge and give the garden its first harvest after three years of trying!

Monday 5 May 2014

THE GARDEN IS SPRINGING INTO LIFE

The first May Bank Holiday has delivered the sounds of new life, lawnmowers and people groaning about bad backs from too much gardening.

I can lay claim to all three having spent most of the weekend in the garden and watching the emergence of new life.

The triple sparrow nest box with the camera that is working has tree sparrows in and they are very nervous when any human is around, even though I was in the garden all day they still gave warning calls whenever they were near the nest.

I suspect the chicks are about ten days old – so about a week from fledging – as they are quite noisy when the parents bring food in. I managed to get one image (which is blurry so haven't put up on here) of the adults over the whole of the weekend due to this nervousness – although the chicks still got many feeds.

In the other nest box, in which the camera isn’t working, I suspect the house sparrows are on eggs as they don’t have frequent visits with food like the tree sparrows, but I have seen them going in and out of the nest box.

The robin family must have young and there is a wren chirping away near to the garden, which I think means there is a robin and wren nesting in the banking by the little stream.

I’ve not seen much of the blue tits or great tits, but they do visit for food.

The dunnocks are rarely seen, while the blackbirds must be feeding youngsters as both parents have been seen collecting worms.

In the garden I’ve planted a number of sunflowers, while the runner beans and broad beans are in two locations with a climbing frame for them to grow up. The tomato plants will soon be in the greenhouse, while the final potatoes have been planted.

The first potatoes should be harvested in early July and as you can see from the image below, the rows of different growth can be seen – the far side were planted first.

Finally the swallows lighten up the skies with their calls and seem to be pairing up. Every night I see a pair on the telephone wires by the garden, singing and frequently feeding by swooping low over the garden.

Wednesday 30 April 2014

THE SOUND OF THE NEXT GENERATION

The gardens, fields and woodland around my garden are now very green, with a number of plants already flowering – clematis and strawberry are just two.

Recently there has been some very mild weather, particularly at night, which has meant there has been a huge growth in the flora.

Many of the plants I’ve grown from seed are now either in bigger pots on window sills, in the greenhouse or outside.

The only danger to the ones outside is the forecast frost this weekend and cooler weather – slightly strange for the start of May!

In other news the swallows have been performing their usual aerobatics and almost constant singing – which I thoroughly enjoy as it’s my favourite sounds of summer.

While the bird cameras have failed to deliver live footage of nesting birds, the bird boxes have proved very popular – all but the one with the camera in!

The tit nest box with the camera that has a failed power lead has got house sparrows nesting in there; although I’m not sure if there are eggs, chicks or just a nest in there at the moment.

In the triple sparrow nest box the camera box (which had a house sparrow nest last year with no camera) has nothing, the middle box is being investigated by a pair of blue tits, while the other box has house sparrows, WITH CHICKS.

I first heard them yesterday and after patiently waiting for nearly an hour for a parent to come back with food, was able to confirm the nest box used and the sound of chicks.

For me it confirms the camera has put off the birds, although I’m still hopeful that by keeping it in there the birds will get used to it and not be afraid of nesting there next year.

It does show that if you provide nest boxes in the right locations (height, size and direction the hole faces) then birds will readily take advantage.

The next question as we start to properly enter the breeding season is; how many broods will we have this year?

I’m predicting at least two, and I’m fairly confident the robins and blackbirds are either on eggs or have chicks; I just don’t know where the nests are – a task for this weekend.

Until then I’ll be making contact with a hedgehog rescue centre to rehome any, primarily to help rid the garden of slugs and snails – both are causing a bit of havoc among my growing sunflowers!

Sunday 20 April 2014

SWALLOWS RETURN TO SPARK SUMMER WARMTH?

Lovely sunny weather in the day has meant colder nights, not the ideal conditions for planting out new plants.

I’ve put some out in the greenhouse, broad beans and sunflowers, and they have so far responded well; continuing to grow well.

More potatoes have been planted so hopefully we’ll have a good supply of spuds from August onwards – perhaps even up until November.

The tomatoes, runner bean, onion, cornflower, cosmos and more sunflowers have been planted, so there should be more green shoots by the end of Easter.

The birds have been flocking to the garden, with the blackbirds picking up plenty of worms from the lawn and blue tits, great tits, dunnocks, robins and sparrows feasting on the peanuts and fat snacks.

But the big news this week has been the return of the swallows. I watched jealously as people report swallow sightings across the country through social media, but this week I heard the sweet sound of spring and summer in the air.

I looked up and saw five swallows showing off their aerobatic skills and they seemed to be having a brilliant time, chattering all the time.

The next job I have is to find out where they’ll be nesting, and also if I can see where other nests are. Stay tuned for updates as I check out the sites I know were occupied last year, particularly the robins by the railway bridge and blackbirds in a nearby small bush.

Sunday 13 April 2014

SPRING READY TO BLOOM

The early spring weather has been fairly cool, but by no means cold and I suspect it’s meant the egg laying and nest building has been delayed.

The weather forecast from next week onwards suggests that warm weather is on the way, so perhaps the birds will now be starting to lay and warm eggs ready for the potential birth of caterpillars.

Unfortunately the camera for the next box that the sparrows were building a nest in still doesn’t have power and unless there’s a miracle it’ll mean there’ll be no chance of seeing it until I know the birds are not using it anymore.

I could easily replace the power lead, but that would mean opening the nest box and disturbing the birds – this is something I will not do.

In a double blow it appears the camera that is working, doesn’t have any action inside. Instead the two adjacent nest boxes have been visited by blue tits and house sparrows in the last few days.

Whether there are nests inside is something I’ll be trying to find out soon.

In other news the crops are growing rapidly, with broad been plants almost a foot high and the flowers and herbs also becoming more than just little seedlings.

Outside the potatoes are emerging, just, while I expect the carrots to starting showing very soon.

The sunflowers that were growing nicely in the greenhouse experienced life outside as the structure fell over, but luckily they were rescued and re-potted fairly quickly and are now all growing again.

The two weeks around Easter should bring plenty of action among the flora and fauna, something I’m really excited about.
 
And hopefully seeing the swallows back for another summer!

Saturday 29 March 2014

SPRING WARMTH BRINGS BREEDING SEASON EXCITEMENT

As spring sunshine grips most of the UK, bringing with it warm weather the breeding season is well underway as birds, insects and mammals all focus on raising the next generation.

The tit nest box, which now has a pair of house sparrows, still doesn’t have a working camera so I can’t view the nest building activity.

The house sparrow nest box camera is fully operational, but no birds are utilising it – which as explained previously I think this is because the camera is too obtrusive inside the box.

Flowers, tree buds and the first vegetable plants sprouting are now being joined by butterflies and plenty of insects, including various bees, as spring has well and truly sprung.

This is a wonderful time of the year and the buzz among the birds in the garden is lovely to see, hear and feel. It feels like a huge race has begun to get the next generation born and raised; it’s great to see it in the garden and surrounding countryside.

I’m sure April will bring plenty of showers, but if the temperatures keep like they are this weekend the growth in the flora will significant.

Of course in turn this will help the mammals, birds and insects that will feast spring’s rich offerings.

The focus in the garden will be fixing the camera, cutting the grass and encouraging the growth of vegetables and flowers.

One thing is for sure, the next few months will bring new arrivals and a colourful garden as wildlife and humans alike enjoy the warmth and sunshine (hopefully).

On a final note I’m taking images of the front of the house and some of the garden that I will unveil in the coming weeks to show how spring helps the garden bloom and come alive.

Saturday 22 March 2014

SPRING WARMTH SLOWLY GOING

Disappointing week as the blue tit nest box camera has stopped working and I think the problem will mean no pictures to see how the nesting goes this breeding season.

Unfortunately the problem could easily have been avoided had it not been for a very clumsy meter reader, who didn’t close the external reading door properly and left it to bang open against the outside wall and the power wire to the camera.

I’ve not fully checked it out but I can’t change the cable as it’ll mean accessing the nest box and therefore disturbing the birds.

Talking of which I did manage to get a glimpse of the birds occupying the nest box – it was a bit of a shock as there were two birds in there and neither was a blue tit or great tit.

In fact it is a pair of house sparrows that were starting to build a nest, which is unusual considering they normally nest in groups and they seemingly haven’t touched the other camera nest box – although I think this is down to the camera being too obtrusive.

I will be checking to see it the cable can be fixed, but I don’t hold out much hope. In the meantime here's the images I have of how it went over the last ten days, until the 'cut off' point.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Plenty of daffodils are now showing and along with the snowdrops, tulips and crocuses are making the garden fill with colour.

The vegetable and plant growing has started well, with broad bean, marigold and sunflowers all showing in the seeding pots.

I’ll be starting to transport them in to the greenhouse in early April and next weekend plant more outside vegetable – potatoes, carrots and parsnips.

On all counts I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for warmer weather!

Sunday 16 March 2014

NEST BUILDING ON HOLD

The mild weather has continued with hardly a spot of rain this week, but it has brought foggy nights and mornings, plus frosts.

It’s meant the wildlife in the garden have relied a bit more on the snacks I’ve provided and the nest building process has stalled.
I’ve still not seen the birds that have brought nesting materials to the original (blue tit and great tit) nest box, but each day has seen the material being slightly added to and moved around.
I’m wondering if the sudden burst of cold overnight weather has made the birds think that the caterpillars their youngsters will rely on to survive, might not be around for a few more weeks.
Therefore building a nest and laying eggs will be best put on hold for a short time – saving energy and making sure caterpillars are going to be around when they need them most.
The sparrow nest box has not seen any action, although the house sparrows are in the garden every day. I suspect they will use the other two nest boxes in the triple nest box because the camera might be too intrusive – only time will tell.
The first seedlings have appeared from the spring planting – basil and parsley – which is an encouraging start and I’m hoping they will replace the plants from last year which are on their last legs.
Given the week ahead looks fairly settled again I may even have to water part of the garden! Who would have thought about that a few weeks ago.

Sunday 9 March 2014

SPRING HAS ARRIVED IN FORCE

Spring is now well underway with temperatures suddenly reaching 16c in the garden, and accompanied by bright, sunny skies.

The dry and warm(ish) weather has resulted in a deluge of bird song during sunrise and sunset. The rock garden and pond area are now flourishing, as this picture shows.

 
I’m pleased that the robins can be heard almost above all the other bird song, or even most other local noise in the morning or evening.

The one in the garden has now found a mate and it’s nice to know they’ll be using my garden should they be successful in having a nest of chicks in the coming months. Unfortunately I don’t think they’ll be using my robin nest box, as the honeysuckle hasn’t quite grown enough to conceal it well.

One resident that has been back in the garden is the great spotted woodpecker, although he is very shy and disappears at the slightest noise.

While the birds continue to flock to the garden and make the most of the handouts, I’ve not seen one in either nest box that has a camera.

Given the closeness of the camera in the sparrow nest box I think it could put the birds off, but a piece of straw that is in the tit nest box had been moved around for the last few days, suggesting that visitors have been in, just not seen by me.

Neither nest box is occupied overnight so it has been a waiting game to see if March can bring the start of nest building, but today it did! I’m not sure which tits are building the nest, but my hunch is blue tits.

 
One lovely sign of spring is the sight and sound of a bumblebee. I found one on the winter rose plant, which has grown year on year since being planted in 2010.

The picture isn’t the best for identification purposes, but it’s from an upside down position and show the bee feeding on early nectar.

 
If anyone has an idea on the type, please let me know.

Sunday 2 March 2014

GOODBYE WINTER, HELLO SPRING

The mild winter has now officially finished as March 1st heralded the start of spring, but the last week of winter showed clear signs of spring already having arrived.

More and more spring bulbs are showing and flowering, which are brightening up the garden, while the blossom on the fruit tree is almost covering each branch and twig.

Unfortunately the two nest box cameras have not had any activity, with the birds seemingly happy to roost elsewhere with the mild winter evenings.

Typically spring has started with a mixture of sunshine and showers, although some would say it’s a refreshing change from the winter storms.

Once the temperatures starts creeping up and the sun shines for even longer during the increasing daylight hours, I’m sure the flora and fauna will be frantically active and I may even see some activity in the nest boxes.

Until then I’ll keep providing food for the birds, they’ll keep gobbling it up and I’ll enjoy the spring bulbs emerging.

I’ll also be planning for the planting season and hope the ground I’ve prepared over winter will deliver bumper crops.

Sunday 23 February 2014

PLANNING AHEAD FOR SPRING

The stormy weather appears to have abated for now, which is good news for everywhere, particularly those areas with the dreadful floods we’ve been seeing.

It’s also seen a change in some of the flora in the garden, with the first snowdrop appearing and blossom on the fruit tree.

Along with the snowdrop a host of other spring bulbs are showing, with tulips, daffodils and crocuses all sure to be flowering by the start of March.
 
I do have a little worry about them due to the severe snow and cold weather we experienced last March, but I guess that’s the gamble nature plays every year and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

I’ve already planned my spring planting session and I’m hoping the hard work over the winter in preparing the ground will pay off.

This week I’ll be buying the required seeds ready for the germinator and, for some, simply putting them straight in the ground.

With a new baby due in June it’s vital all the planning is done now so the plants are well on their way to bearing fruit by June.

Finally the garden is now equipped with two nestbox cameras, as I’ve hooked up one of the compartments in the sparrow nestbox (see above).
Below is the view from each camera, first tit cam then sparrow cam.
 
 
There’s not been any action yet, but I’m hoping to see some visitors in the next few weeks.