Icy and Cold

Well the sky's been very dark today and the snow is still falling. Not as thick as the other week but still very icy and cold. I saw a Sparrow Hawk this morning almost grab a Blue Tit from the suet square. He was so close. The birds didn't see him coming as there was no warning calls. But after he left, albeit empty handed, they were very very nervous for the rest of the day. This pair of Chaffinches were squabbling over the treats I'd put out on the table.This unusual looking Black Bird turned up today. He's either just recovering from a bad case of mites, which means this could be the bird that visited us back on June 5th last year (I've compared photo's closely and I think it is). Or he may have just started with symptoms but I think I heard somewhere that the mites that cause this problem don't like the cold weather so the first idea is probably more likely.The Blue Tits where really enjoying the peanuts I put out. I was trying to get some photo's of a Jay in flight but all I managed was the Blue Tit with a peanut. The Jays were just too quick and I ended up with lots of blurry flight shots. I did get this one though of him enjoying a monkey nut. Oh yes, forget to mention this yesterday. The Chaffinch with no legs has been named 'IAN' apparently after a singer of the same name who's also got bad legs. Before my time I think. He's becoming quite a celebrity now with people always asking me how he's doing and how he manages. Well I say he has deformed legs but he just hasn't got legs! All he has is one foot which comes straight out from his belly. I think having this one foot is what has meant he's survived. As he can hold things and balance just can't walk.

IT'S SNOWED AGAIN

I woke up to a snow covered garden this morning which was quite unexpected. The woodpeckers were feasting on the suet block I'd just put out, it certainly is the most popular food out of all on the feeder. The Robin was getting well stuck in too, almost literally! I was thinking about birds in flight shots and how much easier it is to take photo's of Chaffinches and Robins in flight than it is Coal and Blue Tits. I'm guessing the smaller birds must flap their wings quicker and mover quicker too. I did catch the back end of this little Blue Tit. I noticed something moving in the hedge next door and when I looked closer saw it was a big sheep trying to reach the very top leaves. The Nuthatches were all out today using the fence post to bash the sunflower seeds open. And Cheeky the stray was out in the garden too. I couldn't resist taking a photo of him walking through the snow.

White Markings

During the pre winter moults I noticed this little Chaffinch with unusual white markings on his wings and shoulders. Back then I thought it was just because he was moulting but now its nearly spring and he has a beautiful new coat and his white markings are still very unusual and very distinctive. I have taken a photo of a normal coated Chaffinch to compare. Sorry the upper photo is a bit blurry, he just wouldn't keep still! I gave the feeder a good clean today and accidentally dropped a whole bag of peanuts in the floor. The path was wet so I thought there was no point trying to pick them all up and put them back into the bag. The birds certainly didn't mind. This Dunnock was a bit strange though. All the other Dunnock's were diving into the pile of nuts but this fellow just walked past the nuts onto the messy grass and pecked away. He must have a nut allergy ;-) Even the Black Birds were enjoying the peanuts, not a food I would usually associate with them. Look at the mess the Mole's done. I've been looking at the line he's been digging and in theory his next hills will be in next doors garden. And finally this is a mess I've done. Trying to protect the wood trim on my canoe, I thought a tarp would be the answer. But it looks a hideous eye sore in my beautiful wild garden. Maybe I should try and find a camo tarp or possibly sell the canoe as I don't think I'll be paddling it anymore.

Back

I'm back. Just spent a few days over in Northern Ireland.
Not had a chance to take any photo's but a glance through the window as shown me that the fencing has come down on one side of the garden and the mole has been very busy!
Hopefully I'll have more to write about and have some photo's tomorrow. x

Messy Grass

With visitors here for the past few days I've been so busy going out and enjoying myself I've hardly spent any time in the garden. Today was no exception. I literally had a few minutes to snap a few photo's before it got too dark.
Now the snow has gone, it is quite obvious were the birds are feeding on the grass as its an absolute mess right now. Not quite sure what I should do to tidy it up, maybe just raking will be good enough. This little Dunnock doesn't seem to mind though.
Well, my cat sitter has just knocked on the door, the bird feeder is stocked up and my case is almost packed. So as you have guessed I'm off gallivanting again for a few days. See you all on Wednesday.

Chinese Lanterns and Otters

I've had such lovely time yesterday. I'm lucky enough to have two very special friends who live in a zoo. Not just a mad house but a real zoo, with Tigers, Bears and Penguins etc. It was such a privilege to be able to walk around at dusk and see the animals without the rest of the crowds. Their Otters have just had four babies. I was so lucky to be able so see them close up as they fed and played in the pond. I know it's not the garden but I just have to show you just how cute these Otters are. Then last night I did something I've wanted to do for ages. Myself, my best friend Shaun and Alan went out into the field in front of the garden and lit a Chinese lantern. I never realised how big they were until I opened the packet. They must be at least three foot high. Once lit it took a few minutes for the heat to fill the paper but then the lantern started to float and glided gently up into the night sky. We watched it for ages until it was the size of pin head shining amongst the stars. We all ended up with stiff neck's but it was worth it.Thank you for all the lovely comments messages, I love it when a new one appears. In answer to one of the messages about the little Chaffinch with deformed legs: He first appeared around March time last year. If you scroll back through the blog to May 22nd 2009, you'll see him pictured there. He is an amazing little chap.

A special friend returns

Great news, we've had a visit from a long lost friend. It was last summer the last time he was here but my little Chaffinch with the two deformed legs has returned. He cannot walk at all, but flies brilliantly and just waddles on his belly to get around on the grass to get his food. He is absolutely incredible. The way he survives just fills me with awe.

Blackbirds

The Blackbirds have gone. No idea where, but I've had a good look in all the tree's and hedges and the only one's here are the original gang of 5 from last year.

Cats cats everywhere

Today the garden feeder was dominated by Blue Tits. I've no idea where they have all come from but I counted over twenty on the feeder at one time today. I can tell the weather had warmed up today as my two babies ventured outside for the afternoon which they haven't done in months. Totally ruined my bird watching but it was nice seeing them getting some fresh air at last.
I've had so many messages asking whats happened to the little stray I mentioned a while ago. Well, as you can tell from this photo he is now a permanent member of the family and is loving loving it.

Oh before I forget, this blog can now be found by typing www.LucindasGarden.co.uk a lot easier to remember than the essay one has to type at the moment.

No time

It's been all go today and I can honestly say I haven't looked at the garden today during the daylight hours, how bad is that. I'm hoping the feeder was well stocked up, I'm sure it was. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have more time to myself to enjoy watching the birds and if I'm lucky get some nice photographs to put on here.

Robin stands guard

This Robin decided that this old crust was HIS! He stood there defending it for ages until he spotted a fat ball on the floor. Just no contest.

Nothing was going to chase this little Blue Tit off the suet block.

The female Black Birds were out in force today. Three of them have ganged together and are chasing off anything in their way. The male sparrow came to the feeder today, its been a while since we've seen him. He's looking in fantastic condition. Shame I can't say the same about this poor little female Chaffinch who is suffering from the Papillomatosis virus on both legs. She is still managing to walk ok and is eating very well, so that's good news so far.

Last year, 12th of November to be exact, I noticed some bulbs sprouting in the garden and didn't have a clue what they could be, especially at that time of year. Well today I noticed them again and they have grown literally only millimeters in all this time. I now know what they are, as this is the time of year when the Daffodils start to emerge from just that spot. The Snowdrops have just started to come through too.

The mole has been busy in the field behind the garden again. I was just taking this photo when I noticed some fresh earth in the middle of our garden. I went out for a closer look and am now totally baffled unless the mole actually emerged and made the hole too.

Back from Shetland

I'm back. It's been a great few days but the weather was against us as far as the Lights were concerned. Our best views were on night two. The sky was cloudy but was glowing very bright. Every now and again, dark streaks would glide over then other parts would flash, with the brightness changing across the clouds all the time. It was a shame as the Northern Lights were putting on a great show above the clouds and all we got to see were flashing clouds. Still I am not complaining as I had my own personal show here in Capel Curig last week and that's more than I could ever have wished for.

I've not had long watching the garden today but the main noticable difference is that the snow has all gone. Now this is a strange one, I saw we still have 3 Robins today. So the one which was killed last week was either not one of ours or another one has come and taken his place already. They are acting the same, chasing each other constantly so I reckon these are the originals. I counted 8 Black Birds in the short time I was watching and 2 Nuthatches. Over in Shetland we were lucky to see hundreds of migrating Geese and of course the authentic Shetland Pony.

Blurry Shots

The Stream next to the house

I have to be honest, I've only spent ten minutes today looking out at the garden as I've been busy getting ready for my Shetland trip. I did take a few photographs but as you can see the conditions were not right today for bird action shots. The shot itself is just what I wanted but the day was so dull I couldn't get a quick enough shutter speed to get a crisp sharp photo. I do still like them though, just wish they were sharp. This Chaffinch certainly means business where that poor little Blue Tit is concerned. Oh I have sad news. I found one of the Robins dead today. I have a feeling it was 'Cheeky' the stray cat but I didn't see him do it, so it's unfair really to blame him. I don't mind too much if they actually eat them as that's nature but when they just kill them and leave them, that's just horrid. Back onto better news, Thank you to everybody who got in touch after the Northern Lights entry. So many of you stayed up the following night to have a look too. I think the best view was had by a lovely couple who live in Beddgelert. They didn't see anything moving but they did see a definite glow coming from the North at 2am and 4am.
Did I mention that we now have 3 Crows living in the tree at the top of the garden? They still don't come down to the feeder which I am quite happy about as they would eat everything in a matter of minutes. Well, I am now going to finish packing and I will see you all in a few days.

Snowing Again

It's started to snow again! not too heavy so far and it keeps stopping and starting. I was looking up the garden today and realised how Alpine Lodge(y) my Summer House looks. I still can't get in it as the door has swollen up so much with the moisture. Robin's are not known for feeding from hanging feeders and much prefer a table or floor, but this fella was determined to get some of the suet from the coconut shell.