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
Overdue for some time is the furnishings for a modest bug hotel built in to the wall of the raised bed above the wildlife pond. It made sense to me to build one near the pond. Why I’ve taken so long to finish this is anyone’s guess. Today saw furnishing material gathered on a family… Read More #30DaysWild Day 4 – Collecting material
Just as in many a BBC Springwatch nest, there was a possible drama with our seven, ten day old Coal tit chicks this morning! Their parents were out foraging for food. I had been on the PC with the activity inside the nest box (via a cam) in the corner of my monitor. All was… Read More #30DaysWild Day 3 – Distracting Starlings
An early garden walk with a camera this morning highlighted something I hadn’t noticed. Oops… and it’s something pretty crucial to wildlife too especially at this busy nesting time. It provides not only water to drink but a place to bathe keeping nesting birds clean – especially the females who spend more time in the… Read More #30DaysWild Day 2 – Birdbaths refreshed
The larger of two hedgehogs that met in the garden, 35 mins after midnight. The Wildlife Trusts here in the UK have set a fun challenge for June and are urging everyone of all ages to join in : “This June, can you do something wild every day for a month? Feel happier, healthier and… Read More 30 Days Wild: A challenge for June
It’s fair to say last weekend was a busy one in and out of the garden for both myself and wildlife. Not on the radar, at all, was the very busy Coal tit speedily nest building in my camera nest box on Sunday! To say I’m absolutely thrilled is an understatement. What a delightful little… Read More A great weekend of walks and wildlife