Woodpeckers Everywhere & Springwatch on the TV

It's been the day of the Woodpeckers today. They've been into everything and have become very bold. This one was standing in my favourite plant pot. This one landed on the washing line post. Then finally I almost got my Woodpecker in flight shot that I've been after for such a long time. He's in frame but not sharp, so I'll have to keep on trying. Good News, SPRINGWATCH is back on our TV screens. Last year I got a mention on their Message Boards so fingers crossed I might do again.

Woodie Loves Mashed Potato

Cold and Wet is the only way I can describe this morning although it did warm up slightly in the afternoon. I've discovered our Woodpeckers love Mashed Potato. I put some out last night and they couldn't get enough of it. This Nuthatch and Great Tit braved the rain to get the peanuts. The Nest Box has taken another hammering and now the post has broken off. Thankfully this hasn't disturbed the adults too much and they're still feeding at minute intervals. I could actually hear the chicks calling inside today every time they heard a parent approaching. Not quite as cute as Blue Tit chicks but my Inca Tomato plant which I thought had died seems to have sprung a second life next to some Mange Tout. I've not spotted Mr No Tail in the garden since a few days after his accident. However, I spotted this Male Black Bird on the Telegraph Pole. Too far away to identify him for sure.

Snail Attack

Last night, I did a midnight Snail and Slug hunt in my Veg Patch. I found 3 huge snails tucking away on my greens. I carefully removed them and took them over to the field where they can munch at whatever they want without damaging my salad garden. Today its been beautiful, not too hot with a gentle breeze. The Buzzard was having a hard time from the Crows. This Goldfinch popped around for a short while, I don't think he appreciated the competition for the Niger Seeds. The Blue Tit Chicks were being feed an assortment of things today. In this photo he looks like he has a beak full of beetles or even wasps. And in this one it's green caterpillar's. I planted out my Sunflowers today. I pinched a few seeds from my Wild Bird Food and they seem to be growing really well. My Scotch Broth Peas are doing even better. I'm not sure what I should be doing with them now, should I plant outside or keep inside? As they weren't from a conventional seed packet I don't know what exactly they are.

Quiet Day

Not much to tell you today. The weather was cooler and there were a few more birds about on the feeder. This pair of Siskins were loving the Niger Seeds. This female Chaffinch was happy with the sunflower seeds on the ground. How cute is this little Blue Tit. Loving the hair do!

RPA and RHS

'The Wild Bit'

Well I better start with news of TINTIN the racing pigeon who arrived yesterday. I contacted the Royal Pigeon Association who gave me the telephone number of the owner in Reading! Initially the owner sounded excited that I'd found his precious bird that was until he realised I was in Snowdonia. He then didn't want to know, said it would cost him £35 to have him picked up and what use is a bird that can't fly. 'My Garden Blue Tit'

He didn't even want my phone number. So I called the RPA again and they informed me that he is honour bound to collect the bird otherwise he would be struck off as a member and be unable to compete again. They were very nice and even arranged for a local member to collect the bird tomorrow. Sadly when I went to check on TINTIN this afternoon, he had died. Very sad. 'Blue Tit parent'
On a happier note I've found out I'd been mentioned on the Royal Horticultural Society's official blog. It was a while back but they mentioned me and my blog which is so exciting.
Link: Woodpeckers find a louder drum - Miranda Hodgson.
I am loving the Chelsea Flower Show right now, I would love to go but always forget until I see it on TV when all the tickets have already been sold. There has been a lot of Military Action in the skies today, not the usual rescue helicopters. Back to my garden and things are quite quiet. Just a few birds on the feeder but no mammals showing themselves. There are loads of insects about, especially Orange Tip Butterflies but I still not managed a photo of them. Tonight I went to my friends Chris and Penny's house to see their new garden members. They purchased a camera for their nest box and last week 8 (we think) eggs hatched. They have it on a live feed onto their huge TV so the Blue Tits look a foot tall. Amazing to watch them so close up. I'm never that organised to set something like that up in time. Always remember when its too late. My veg is doing amazingly, my strawberries are covered in flowers and my potato plant looks incredibly healthy. Something has been nibbling the edge of my Pak Choi. My Peas and Tomato's are both flowering now too.

Another New Visitor

Last night saw the arrival of TINTIN (yes we've name him already) the racing pigeon. I think he is just too exhausted to fly. I found some grey feathers on the drive so perhaps he's missing some crucial flight feathers? That would make sense. Anyway the poor thing was at risk of being killed by Cheeky the stray or even one of the foxes so he's now living quite happily in a large cat box in the spare room. Hopefully tomorrow I will hear back from the National Pigeon Association who will be able to give me the owners telephone number and details so he can go home. I remember hearing years ago that missing pigeons were no welcomed back by their breeders as they didn't make it home and not worth any money, I hope this isn't true. I'll be making thorough checks tomorrow before he's allowed to go anywhere. There's loads of crane fly in the garden a the moment, and I really don;t like them. The thought of them getting tangled in my hair arghhhhhh.
I spotted a group of flies resting on a rock this evening. They must be enjoying the heat still radiating from it. Overnight this plant which I think is a Chickweed (update: it's actually Cuckoo flower, Cardamine pratensis) had appeared on the lawn and its massive! The Blue Tit parents are still working full time feeding their babies. I saw this Blue Tit looking rather haggard on the feeder tonight, its amazing how 10 babies all at once can take it out of ya heehehehe

The Big Mow

Today was the day of the BIG MOW. I love it. It signifies the end of winter and the garden once again looks like a real garden. In particular, the way the wild bit now contrasts with the neat lawn. Not only did we have a Mow but I had a DIG too. We ate my first vegetables from the garden. Some lovely Radishes and they tasted great. They are the long thin ones so are meant to be that shape! The Woodpecker spent ages finishing off some cake today. The people who own the house at the top of the came down today and asked if we own a black and white cat. Obviously it was hasn't hard to guess who they were talking about. Cheeky our Stray has apparently befriended their Llama. So much so that they actually sleep together, with Cheeky snuggled up to the Llama's belly when he lays down for the night. Well that explains where he's been these last few nights.

We have babies

I walked up to the top of the garden today and noticed the Nest Box had been moved. It is still hanging there on a nail but instead of being horizontal its now an 45 degree angle. Initially I was worried the crows had tried to get in from above but then after watching 2 very busy little Blue Tits zooming in and out constantly, I realised it was likely to be their actions that had done it. So YES we have babies. I watched the Blue Tits too'ing and fro'ing with green grubs for their babies all day. Fascinating to watch. The garden was full of amazing looking bugs today, the Sunshine must be bringing them all out. I even spotted these Beetles mating in the grass. The Woodpecker was around all day and is making a right mess of the telegraph pole nearby. My Instant Scotch Broth Mix Peas are doing really well. My mum gave me a lovely old book today dating back to 1938. The preface had me in tears where the author described the love people had for birds and why. He said we can't help but admire their courageousness and gave examples of how a mother Linnet would not leave her chicks in a gorse fire, and covered them until she was burnt to death. Gosh I'm filling up again, reading it. The drawings in the book are lovely although a few of the colours are interesting especially on their Robin picture.

Sunshine

What a hot day, wow. I love days like these. At lunch time I grabbed 20minutes and sat outside on the lawn. 'Cheeky' the Stray cat appeared and wanted to play as usual. With him there I didn't see too many birds but I did catch a glimpse of pair of Collared Doves in the Laylandi? tree next door. They were making a right racket, I wonder if they are planning on nesting in there? I put some corn out on the lawn tonight just to see if they will come down tomorrow. The lawn is so full of flowers with Buttercups (bit early?) , Daisy's and Forget-me-nots everywhere. The garden is having its big MOW Monday. The best mow of the year where you can see the difference between the wildlife bits and the lawn. Almost resembles a mini Golf Course when its done. I spotted the first Cuckoo Spit of the year today. I can even see the little critter inside who's making it.