Saturday 11 June 2011

The willow warblers have fledged

Three healthy chicks.

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They were nesting in the hedge on the top tier and fledged on to the willows by the compost bin.

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Cute little brown birds.

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Thursday 9 June 2011

Under the clouds

It has rained A LOT….and that is all I am going to say about that.

There were a couple of sunny days in April and May. I have the photos to prove it.158

The wild flowers bloomed,

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particularly the cuckoo flower which I left last year to self seed all over midge farm because……

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…..it brings in these beauties.

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My collared dove with the partial albinism has found a partner this year.Copy of 073

A pair of willow warblers are visiting for the first time. They are nesting either in the garden or very close by as I see them collecting insects all day long.

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Midge farm has got jungle fever in the rain.119

midge farm jungle

The birds have got a new bird table which they use mainly as an umbrella,

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and I have got a new rhodie which produced these lovely, girly, pink bells.

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Two years after they were planted the verbascums are finally establishing and putting on a show.

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My lovely song thrushes have also established and produced at least one healthy fledgling.

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The gold finches have produced two, although they do look more like drowned rats than fluffy baby birds.

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Speaking of rodents, the mouse is back but very much a fair weather visitor, I don’t think she likes getting her fur wet.

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She would never have dared to sit on the step like this when old fatso was around.

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And finally, my new toy, a butterfly feeder, with its first visitor, a hungry red admiral who sat and fed for at least five minutes. I have my fingers crossed that there will be many more over the summer.ra1