Mr No Tail Update

I suppose I better start with an update on Mr No Tail. Well I caught a glimpse of him around 4.30pm and he's still in a bad way. Although he did manage to fly from under the hedge onto the lawn and pick up some food. But then the Crows appeared and started dive bombing him again.When I saw him on the lawn his wing was dropped but that maybe just to help keep him upright with only one leg. Main thing is, he's still alive and still eating. As for Mrs No Tail I am totally disappointed in her. No sooner as her hubby been injured, she's off over the hedge flirting with a new adult male who's just happened to turned up. She's shameless! And there's poor Mr No Tail calling every now and again from beneath the hedge and I bet all he can hear is this new male courting his woman and he's helpless to put up a fight. On a happier note the garden has been full of birds again today. And even though it was raining hard I spotted this Goldfinch drinking from the feeder bowl. The Woodpecker has been around all day so I've been trying to get my woodie in flight shot. I got quite a few near misses but non that were sharp. I'll keep trying. The Woodpecker had a choking fit at the feeder. He was gagging for a couple of minutes before he flew off into the tree's, I hope he's ok.Finally, what a wonderful sunset we had tonight. They said weeks ago that the Volcanic dust could lead to some spectacular ones and I think they're here. Last nights was awesome too.

Poor Mr No Tail

Today was the complete opposite at the bird feeder. Its been non stop with the most beautifully coloured birds imaginable. But before I go into all that, late last night I sneaked out and came across these two, foraging around on the bank. Even though she was hiding behind this garden bucket, I could still see the outside light shining on the sharp teeth of one of them as they munched on a slug. This one managed to get away.Back to the bird table, well you name the most colourful birds in the UK and most of them were here. We had the Woodpeckers and a pair of Nuthatches. We saw 17 Siskins at one point today along with 4 Goldfinches and the Robins. On a sad and worrying note I saw Mr No Tail today and he was in a very bad way. The Crows were chasing him constantly, whether that was because he is badly injured and they could smell dinner or if it was them who caused the injury, I dont know but either way its pretty horrid. Mr No Tails leg is literally hanging off. He flew off and it just dangled there like a piece of string. He was struggling to just stand on the bush. I don't know how he is going to survive as the wound is quite big and especially with the Crows attacking him every time he tries to fly. There's been some weird noises outside today as well. Like a cross between a Buzzard and a Jay screeching. It went on most of the afternoon and I haven't a clue what was making it.

Bernie's Back

By 3pm today I was actually worried that I'd have no wildlife photographs for the blog today. Apart from a Bee in the pink bush, the garden was empty all morning. I wasn't sure if it was the new cover I bought for the garden table and chairs that had scared all the birds away or if it was the horrid wind that we endured today. So I went out and took lots of flower photo's just in case. There are Dandelions everywhere, on the lawn and even sprouting up in between steps and stones. And the Daisy's have started covering the lawn again. Then when I thought all was lost for the day this little lovely turned up. Bernie's back. She really is lovely and was quite happy to munch away even when Mrs No Tail came past. Worryingly Mrs No Tail looks like she's been attacked as she was missing a few feathers from around her neck.

Nest Building

I've not had much time to sit and enjoy the wildlife today but I did spot this little chappy still busy collecting wool, for his nest. Now we have plenty of Niger Seeds again, the Siskins are back here in force. They are so well camouflaged when they eat off the ground, arn't they.The Buzzards have been very vocal today. I could even hear them from my bed with the window closed! The are constantly getting attacked by the crows, the poor things. Oh, I think I've discovered the mystery about the falling Hedgehog the other night. I think I may have disturbed them mating, hence his unsteadiness at the top of the step and his surprise when I showed up with lights shining. Its certainly the right time of year and would explain the funny noises too.

Niger Refill

It was nice and sunny today but there was a biting cold wind here in Snowdonia. Things were quite quiet in the garden this morning but that may have a lot to do with my running out of Niger Seeds. With a refill this afternoon the Siskins and Goldfinches where back. Its strange but the nuts don't seem to be being eaten much now. I'm hoping that's because there is so much natural food about that they don't need my help as much during the next few months. The Owls where very vocal last night, I still haven't managed a photo of one for here have I? That will be tricky.
The front garden is still doing great with a lot of Carrot seeds sprouting during the day. I think I can see something coming up where I planted a potato too. Oh fingers crossed as I may be getting a swing for the back garden. I've wanted one for so long and it looks like Alan might have found someone who can build one for me. I have dream of a wooden swing covered in ivy and white roses. Who knows, fingers crossed and lots of wishing.

New Visitor

This morning I was woken by a Cuckoo, cuckooing a Woodpecker banging , a Song Thrush singing and a Wood Pigeon cooing all at the same time, it was wonderful. For the first time in ages it rained today. The lawn definitely needed it and looked instantly greener. We had a new visitor today, a collared Dove. He only stayed a few minutes but it was lovely to see one in the garden for the first time. The rain made for slow shutter speeds on the camera which lead to usually sharp photo's being quite blurry. But I do quite like the outcome of both these birds in flight shots.

Jay

Dove

The woodpecker showed up too on the washing line pole. In the front garden my first carrot has germinated and I'm now up to 4 Beetroot shoots. The Strawberries are doing really well, the flowers are huge.

Cuckoo Cuckoo

A Cuckoo has arrived! A week earlier than last year but now Spring has officially begun. I took this photo of one last year and it's one of my favourites, so here it is again, coz I love it. Late last night the weirdest thing happened. I went outside to call 'Cheeky' the cat in and spotted two Hedgehogs at the top of the steps being quite noisy. Next thing I see is one of the Hedgehogs bouncing down the steps and eventually landing at the bottom curled up in a ball. He uncurled himself but didn't look great. He just stood where he landed for a good twenty minutes. I couldn't see anything wrong with him but I didn't want to get too close and scare him anymore. So I went back to bed but soon realised that the way the garden is laid out he couldn't possibly get back up to where he was without having to walk down the side and in front of two houses and then up the track leading back to the gardens. So I got up and made a hedgehog friendly staircase. The falling Hedgehog had already gone but at least its there for next time. This morning I spotted some blood on the steps which I hope didn't come from the hedgehog last night. On a happier note I saw a Blue Tit go into the Bird Box on the side of my Summer House today. Maybe they're planning on nesting there? Lets hope so. In the front garden my first Beetroot seed has germinated .

Front Garden Mini Mart

Bee 'In flight'

I'm back! Sorry I haven't posted for a few days but I've been away, all a little last minute. I'm now back and although not had much time to photograph the birds, the flowers and more especially the veg are doing great. The front garden looks like a mini industry has formed, with planters full of so many different things. The Strawberries in the hanging basket have started to flower and the Radishes have sprouted, is that the word? The back garden has been having a bit of work too with a new reed fence going up today and also a few Cowslips being planted in the wild bit.

Squirrel

Not quite as sunny today but it was still a lovely day. We had a visit from a Squirrel today, not sure who it is but she was loving the peanuts I'd left on the ground. There seemed to be lots of birds back on the feeder today, lots of Siskins, Chaffinches, Tits and even this little Robin who was enjoying the Suet Block. I found this Primrose growing just outside my front gate on the road. I thought they preferred to be near rivers and streams.

Tadpoles

Another sunny day here in Snowdonia. I've been out most of the day so haven't spent too much time in the garden. Whilst I was out, I spotted some newly emerged tadpoles and a newt. The feeder is bustling with around 16 Siskins as I type this now. The pink flower on the Larch tree is looking more like a cone now. And the sheep and lambs are doing their best to get into the garden. We've had to block the bottom of the gate up with mesh. There are lots of flies around outside although no signs of any midges yet, luckily.