The reward the garden is getting tonight is much needed rain. It’s been raining most of the day. So how can do you do something wild and make room for nature when it’s wet outside, getting dark and that’s the only time of the day you can get into your garden? Well, if you’re daft… Read More #30DaysWild Day 14 – Garden rewards
Tonight’s images were, quite literally, shots in the dark using my zoom lens with the setting set to night portrait. It was an experiment to see if any pond life could be seen on the plants growing in my wildlife pond. It’s always fun uploading photos like these to see if there are any surprises.… Read More #30DaysWild Day 13 – Possible damselfly eggs?
In complete contrast to the late evening, torch garden wander looking for moths last night, it was a very early start wildlife watching indoors this morning. My alarm was set for 4:15am and I managed to successfully complete the task I had set myself – to get up! Suspecting strongly that our Coal tit chicks… Read More #30DaysWild Day 12 – Nest box watch
There was a light drizzle of rain at dusk and as darkness fell it was a torch wander in search of moths on the Ivy of my pergola. I’ve seen them there before. Alas, I only saw one small one (no idea what it was) but plenty of snails were to be seen. I’ve seen… Read More #30DaysWild Day 11 – Out with a torch
Pond plants really are a great way to work and connect with nature. On the most basic level, for both gardener and wildlife, they oxygenate the water keeping it fresh and clear. They also provide wildlife a place of shelter from larger predators like herons, cats and humans too. As a gardener, I have enjoyed… Read More #30DaysWild Day 10 – Checking the pond plants
It’s nearly time to say goodbye. Our seven Coal tit chicks have been home alone a few nights and that’s one sign. Looking at the time frame, the first chicks to hatch are 15 days old today (the rest 14 days). The suggested number of days to fledge is between 16-19 days so we are… Read More #30DaysWild Day 9 – Almost ready to fledge
The requirement of ‘more fragrance required’ in my garden was highlighted early this morning. Walking out my front door something hit my nose – no it wasn’t a squawking Starling juvenile! It could have been though. Nor was it my wisteria as it’s not quite in flower yet. The wisteria in my back garden anyway.… Read More #30DaysWild Day 8 – More fragrance required
Growing along roadside verges of a busy road I travel, a small bright orange flower would always catch my eye through the summer months. A couple of years ago, curiosity as to its ID eventually had me searching it out. For anyone else curious, let me introduce you to Foxes and cubs (also known as… Read More #30DaysWild Day 7 – Foxes and cubs
Okay, so I haven’t got a crystal ball but if I did and it predicted so much wildlife in one small garden I would never have believed it anyway. So what are we looking at today? Well, curiosity and failed attempts at taking clear photos of our wildlife pond tadpoles finally got the better of… Read More #30DaysWild Day 6 – Tadpoles and Damselflies
Sunday morning bird counts, I have always enjoyed. Today was a good one in that it reflected the various stages of garden wildlife just now. The numbers aren’t particularly high and not all currently visiting species turned up either – but I didn’t expect them too. During a one hour bird count, 10:50-11:50, the species… Read More #30DaysWild Day 5 – Bird count & Nest footage