What a Day to Start a Family

Woke up as usual at about six this morning to be greeted by rivers of rain running down the outside of the bedroom window. We both put on our waterproofs and went for a short walk. Not just rain, about 70/30 rain with snow mixed in.

Yesterday Mrs Great Tit spent a while on and off in her nest, each time carefully tucking nest material under her as though she was sitting on eggs though I couldn't see any even when she left the nest. Once I spotted the male bring some food for her:




This morning as she moved around the nest I could see one, maybe two, eggs which she covers up when she leaves the nest. This will continue until she had laid her full quota.



I hope the weather will have settled by the time there are hatchlings to feed.

Macro on Monday - Guess What + A Pleasant Visit

Even later this week. I must admit I am feeling a bit on the 'stale' side at the moment when it comes to blogging and I'm days behind on viewing others.
Anyway on with t' show. Only one correct identification to last week's puzzle picture so my congratulations and the        go to Keith who sussed out it was the end piece of a windmill sail.

   

In fact it was part of the five sail windmill in Alford, Lincolnshire. You can read about it on Wikipedia or on the official Alford Windmill site. The official site doesn't work for me in Firefox but does work perfectly in Opera.

On to this week's puzzle picture taken a couple of days ago
Guess What:

Clue: A bit of a thorny subject.

No prizes for a correct guess - just for fun.


A Pleasant Visit

Early last week I had an email from Matron (Down on the Allotment) to let me know she was making one of her visits up to Lincolnshire. It was arranged for her to pop over to say hello over a cuppa. A pleasant meeting and exchange of gifts took place and it was really great to put a face to the blog I have been reading for quite some time.
Matron brought

for us (the first policeman I have seen for over five years) and

for Bobby.

To see what Bobby sent for Matron's dog, Leo, have a look at Down on the Allotment.

Friday at the Flicks - Singing Great Tit - Two Hedgehogs

A short while ago a Great Tit stayed in view even when I took the video camera outside to film it singing:



As well as the photo shown yesterday I managed a bit of video of the adult and juvenile Hedgehogs at the feeder.



Have a great time observing the wildlife around you wherever you are.

Two at a Time

It is hard to determine exactly how many different Hedgehogs visit the garden every night since they woke from their Winter hibernation. I have a feeling there are at least three but it is rare at the moment to see more than one at a time as they wander through the garden several times between dusk and dawn.  Just occasionally, like last night, two arrive at the same time. Here an adult and a juvenile arrive for their dried mealworms and crushed unsalted peanuts. The adult was there first and the youngster approached very cautiously, keeping low to the ground. This time the adult allowed the juvenile to join it at the feeder.

Wings on Wednesday

On and off I get visits from a Stock Dove. The past couple of days there have been two. Maybe a nesting pair not too far away.



Another visitor which is seen occasionally is the Goldfinch. Recently it has been rare to spot two on the feeder.



This is only the second time I have seen this particular bird. I guess it may be a female Blackbird though the feathers are grey rather than brown. This one is a lot more timid than the regular Blackbirds. It certainly looks like a member of the Thrush family. Any positive identification will be welcomed.



Mrs Great Tit roosted again in the nest box last night and has made a few visits to add softer material to the nest.

1st Night Roosting in her Nest

I got quite a surprise last night when I switched on the monitor to set things up for Hedgehog watching / recording - there was Mrs Great Tit roosting in her nest. Definitely the safest and driest place to be with the short, sharp tropical downpours we had during the day.



That was followed by some further nest building this morning.

Macro on Monday - Guess What

I seem to be running late today but anyway here we are again. There were quite a few correct identifications for last week's puzzle picture. Congratulations and a         go to Shirl, John, Wilma, Linda and Jan who worked out it was a close look at a Snakes Head Fritillary. If I had a silver star it would go to Glo who got part way there.





This week I have cropped a small section from the print of a photo I took way back when 35mm cameras used film...
Guess What:


Clue: Could be a somewhat corny object.

No prizes, just for fun.