AUTUMNAL SIGNS ABOUND

The dark nights are really rolling in now and the last of the summer visitors have flown south, leaving the garden birds to the skies around the garden,

The pond is almost full now, thanks to the recent spate of heavy rain showers, so this weekend my result in a trip to the garden centre for some flora to help create and environment fit for small creatures.

Yesterday I saw a few trees starting to turn the beautiful autumnal orange, gold and yellow colours, albeit the vast majority are still fully green.

Given the recent drop in temperature an Indian Summer is now unlikely, so we could be set for some glorious autumn colours in the coming weeks.

There’s still not much activity in the garden, except for a small flock of house sparrows and a few blue tits.

I can hear robins every so often, but nothing really of great tits, goldfinches, dunnocks, blackbirds or the local wrens.

The owls are still heard every so often nearby, but they must have found more favourable hunting grounds elsewhere recently.

As we all start to turn out the winter coats, the wildlife is slowly starting to get ready for the colder seasons of the year.

A bit like use humans!

DARK NIGHTS CLOSING IN

This week has been quite cool at night and all but a few of our summer visitors are taking fight to warmer climes.

I saw the final group of swallows make their final swoops around the garden and surrounding fields, they even created such a noise that I went outside to investigate if an aerial predator was around.

I couldn’t see one so put it down to them saying goodbye until next year – I know that’s extremely unlikely.

The garden hasn’t seen much activity with most birds still feeding in the surrounding countryside, although a number of blue tits are visiting for a short period of time most days.

As it’s a quiet time of the year, I’ve dug the pond out and have been waiting for the rain to fill it naturally, rather than tip tap water in to it.

In the coming weeks I’ll get some weed and plants, and hope it’ll attract some insect and even amphibian life in the coming weeks and months.

I hope it will also act as another way of learning about wildlife for my girls, as they do take interest in the wildlife around the garden and often feed the birds with me.

This is the pond in its current state, and I’ll upload more in the next blog, hopefully.

The final bit of news is about the sunflowers, with a few now about ten feet tall. The birds should have a field day in autumn when the seeds are ready.

It’s surprised me the height of some of the flowers, because earlier this summer I didn’t think many would make it.

The tomatoes have produced a few examples of fruit, but I think the garden doesn’t quite have the right space and condition for growth now.

Autumn and winter will be time for clearing the garden up, including trimming back the expanding hedges and ivy growth.

However both are providing good cover for wildlife and may possibly be used next year for nesting – fingers crossed!

ANOTHER INDIAN SUMMER?

August once again proved to be anything but the height of summer, but the end of the month heralded a warmer spell which might just be enough to see summer migrants stay around a bit longer, including the swallows.

However this week looks like being a false dawn on any warmth in September, as rain and coolers winds look like winning out.

I think the swallows had two broods this year, as there’s been quite a few birds with shorter tails swooping around the garden and surrounding countryside.

I don’t know how long they’ll stay around for, but as they’re my favourite birds I hope for just a little bit longer.

The garden birds are now making a bit more of a comeback in the garden, with the blue tits, great tits, house sparrows and even the odd robin making regular appearances.

This year’s tit fledglings are still easily recognisable, although they’re definitely getting in tune with their surroundings, feeding areas and warning calls from their parents.

With the sunflowers started to get into full flower, the seeds will hopefully provide an autumn booty for the birds.

Talking of garden booty the broad beans have once again delivered a good harvest, while the tomatoes are struggling in the garden.

Next year it’ll be tumbling tomatoes, broad beans and sunflowers, and nothing else.

They’ll also be a re-introduction in the garden too, as I’m planning on reinstating the pond after filling it in because of the girls being toddlers.

Now they’re both at school, I think the small pond can come back and help them learn a little bit more about having different wild parts to a garden and the wildlife it can bring – albeit on a small scale given the pond isn’t huge!

Time will tell if frogs make it back, but hopefully it’ll provide a home to some smaller creatures and perhaps be a water source for the small birds.