Wildlife & Nature thread

[Eddie Mallett]

I did get some nice photos of them though.

[.D.]

I have, and are enjoying, a nuthatch feeding in my garden.

Dont see them very often although I have to say that the amount of birds in my garden has increased a large amount this winter.

[.D.]

Never seen one before but in work today I spotted a mistle thrush. Quite a largish bird and very aggressive to other birds looking for food.

[.D.]

I have pied wagtails feeding in the garden. New species for me.

[Nish]

They usually feed on insects which is why you see them a lot in car parks or on road verges where they feed on "road kill". There were a couple of pairs here but I only ever saw them in front "gardens" and now the idiots in those houses have paved or covered their front with gravel the poor wagtails have moved on. If they are normally not in your garden, d, they must be very hungry. Try them with dried mealworms?

[Lyn]

They love mealworms, and see the robins off getting to them!

[.D.]

No worries, I shall double up on the mealworms. Always saw them on the road outside the house but they never came into the garden.

I am hoping they come in repeatedly now.

[.D.]

Well well, this morning I had a male and female goldfinch in my garden.

[Nish]

Have had the rare opportunity today to see a sparrowhawk kill a dove in the garden, start to pluck it, be frightened off, and then return to eat the dove. I've seen them kill and pluck a prey but never eat it so close to the house - usually they will take the carcase off to eat in a more private place. Got some lovely photos therefore this time as it was there for an hour.

[.D.]

Can you put them up?

[Lyn]

That would be good Nish! I have seenn a kill in my garden, but always smaller prey and is carried away!

In my garden the last two monrings, a song thrush singing it's heart out, oh so lovely, and oh sooooo early!!!

[Jenni]

Oh I often come home and find the pluckings left on my lawn! When I cut my grass it sometimes seems there's more feathers and ribs than grass in the box! Last year a sparrowhawk (I assume) crashed the collared dove into my back windows and I was left to pick up the (literal) pieces and clean the windows.

[.D.]

Two things.

The Koi wanted feeding today and thats incredibly early. Good summer perhaps?

How long do Robin eggs take to hatch. Our Mam cant go near her back gate.

[Lyn]

My robins have chicks, but I don't know when the eggs were laid...

[Eileen]

Around 2 weeks, according to Yahoo Answers.

[Nish]

Can you put them up?

I'll try! I suspect they may look fuzzy when zoomed as I was standing well back from the window so as not to disturb the bird - but in one image it is glaring at me! (well who wouldn't... )

[.D.]

Probably eyeing you up for the next time your in the garden Nish.

Thanks for the info on the robin eggs people.

[Nish]

Probably eyeing you up for the next time your in the garden Nish.

.

Eeeekkk As long as it's not the cat he's after

[Tetricus.]

I seem to have my full quota of newts in the pond, along with some toad spawn.
I'm sure that's a lot earlier than usual ? I haven't seen any toads in the pond, but my neighbour keeps
fishing them out of his fish pond. They jump a 12" wall to get in there, but can't get out. If they laid
any spawn in there, I expect his fish have devoured it.

P.S.
Just spied a toad

[Tetricus.]

I've just been out and taken a pew pictures.

Sweetcorn planted about three weeks ago


Friendly neighbourhood cat


Front garden


Originally I had log roll around this flower bed, but that went rotten.
The "stones" I made from concrete, they are weathering well.


I planted this heather a long time ago. It's now about 7ft long


From the bottom of the garden


Tulips


Toad & Toadspawn

[Lyn]

Beautiful spring-like pictures Tet, though it is due to get cold again this week, with plenty of rain etc...

[Nish]

I think I am more ashamed at how weed infested mine is in comparison!

Yet again, it's a superb year for hellebores. I thought last year was fine but this year is amazing. They are everywhere, and all colours. Less whites this year and more dark purple. However, the number of blind daffs is noticeable. I never cut mine back, but I have clumps this year with no buds. I wonder if the prolonged rain and snow (unusual here - we tend to have dry winters and dry summers too) has had an effect.

[Jenni]

Those aren't tulips, Tet. I've got some (they opened this weekend) and I can't for the life of me remember what they're called!

[Lyn]

Agree about the blind daffs Nish, I have lots planted in woodland, and they never even get cut back when died back, they just sit there and wither, however, this year a lot are blind. The hyacynths are being pecked at by wood pigeons as the buds appear, so not many of those either!

It#s a bit early for tulips here.

[Nish]

Those aren't tulips, Tet. I've got some (they opened this weekend) and I can't for the life of me remember what they're called!

Well I've got some tulips just like them. Aren't they "parrot beak" or similar? I got them a few years back in a mixed dwarf collection from RHS