I've Got My Beady Eye On You

About tea time yesterday we were sat outside enjoying some Sunshine and the warmest part of the day when a female Blackbird settled on the roof of the Summerhouse just a few feet away:



Fortunately the camera was within reach as I had just missed a great photo opportunity. I had heard some sounds. Just the occasional single squawk. At the same time the local Wood Pigeons had scattered to the four winds. When I looked out to see what it was I was astonished to see two birds of prey flying round together. Not a sight I get to see more than about once a year, if that. Too high and too far away to identify and even further away by the time I grabbed a camera. It was then I decided to sit outside hoping they might fly back this way but that was not to be.

Also missed this morning, a bit of Robin bonding. Female was on one of the cameras when the male flew up to her and fed her the Sunflower heart he was carrying. I've only seen this happen once before and would love to photo it or even better - grab some video.

More moss was being added to the watering can today.

Would You Adam and Eve It?

Been watching a Robin collecting grass or moss and disappearing in the same direction every time so I went on a nest hunt. Now, there is a perfectly good, safe, dry nest box on the back of the shed set up for any Robin looking for a des res:

   

As can be seen from the grab from the video camera inside the box, completely deserted.
Anyway, that wasn't the direction the Robin kept disappearing. That was almost to ground level at the side of the greenhouse. What was there which would be of interest to a Robin?

An abandoned watering can?:


A quick peek inside showed some fresh moss near the back:


A closer view:


Yes, definitely signs of recent activity.
Now, is this going to be a safe place to bring up a family?
Too many cats prowling at all times of day and night so we will have to wait and see what happens.
Maybe I could erect some wire netting to protect the area.

No problem with the can filling with water when it rains.
It was abandoned as there is a large crack in the base so it has good drainage.

Robins are well known for using anything they think suitable as a nesting site from kettles to cardboard boxes in outbuildings.

This and That

Quite a few of the local birds are visiting the feeders in pairs. Robins, Dunnocks, Blackbirds and Chaffinches all tend to arrive as a couple. Among the Robins is one which spends a lot of time watching me as I potter round the garden or in the greenhouse:



From time to time bursting into song:



I've also noticed lots of birds gathering nesting material, Robin, House Sparrow, Blackbird and Starling being among them.

I think my first Cymbidium orchid is now in full bloom:



Now waiting for the larger one. Always a long waiting game as they seem to be very slow to grow and mature but make up for it by staying in flower for many weeks. A new miniature one arrived today so I potted it on and gave it a good soak and feed. This one is near flowering size so I am hoping to see it bloom next year.

The Season's Moving On

Once the rain had stopped I spent some time dead heading over a hundred tete a tete miniature daffodils as most have now finished flowering. A messy job. The wet remains of the flowers kept sticking to my hand. Still a pleasant job though, being outdoors and serenaded by a Blackbird and a Dunnock.

As I worked round one of the flower beds I spied the next set of flowers to appear:



A Fritillaria Meleagris (a snake's head fritillary) with its white cousin in the background.

The Grand Opening

No. Not a shop or a pub or visitor centre but the first of my Cymbidium orchids to flower for a couple of years. What a difference a day makes.

Yesterday:



This morning:



It may gain a little more colour as it matures but this smaller variety is nearly all green.

The flower spike on the larger Cymbidium continues to progress:



Also I was pleased to spot a bud appearing on the tender Australian Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos) plant. Great to have managed to get this one through its second Winter in the unheated conservatory as they are often treated as (expensive) annuals in this country:



It will be put outside again once we are past any chance of early morning frosts.

What a Lot I've Got

Once I had finished trimming the lawn yesterday I had a quick look to see how the frog spawn in the garden pond was progressing. No frog spawn, now hundreds of tadpoles:







If they all grow up I will have to get a bigger pond, or bigger garden!

Don't Forget the Ground Feeders

With mornings like today - foggy, air frost, just about 2C - our feathered friends appreciate some high energy food to start the day. What better than a fat ball or two? Most times we tend to hang these in nets or specially designed containers. That is fine for the smaller birds who can hang on but often near impossible for ground feeders such as Blackbirds. I have seen them keep flying up, trying to peck off the odd piece before they fall down again.

Recently I have been placing a fat ball or two on the bird table so they can all eat their share:



This female Blackbird was certainly appreciating it.