While looking for the lily of the valley I was pleased to find a clump of loddon lilies in full flower and looking like giant snowdrops, they remind me of the river Loddon on whose banks they grew wild when I was a child.
Thursday 31 March 2011
Loddon Lilies
Went to look for the lily of the valley plants today, so pleased to see many 3 inch thin green spears sticking up in a cool shady area of the garden, I thought with delight of their wonderful perfume which in a few weeks I will be able to enjoy, and remembered an old gentleman who lived near to me as a child . He was always so kind and he grew these plants in his own garden, so I never see or smell a lily of the valley without thinking of him.
While looking for the lily of the valley I was pleased to find a clump of loddon lilies in full flower and looking like giant snowdrops, they remind me of the river Loddon on whose banks they grew wild when I was a child.
While looking for the lily of the valley I was pleased to find a clump of loddon lilies in full flower and looking like giant snowdrops, they remind me of the river Loddon on whose banks they grew wild when I was a child.
Tuesday 29 March 2011
To Papworth
The clocks have sprung forward, bringing us brighter mornings and welcome lighter evenings.
Travelling along, I notice it is sticky bud time and with a smile on my face I think of the smooth, brown, delicately patterned conkers (horse chestnuts) that the autumn will bring. They are part of nature's treasures and I always gather some and keep them in a bowl, where daily I can admire them. Eventually, as winter chills fill the air, I put them out with the bird food and the squirrels take them.
We come to a crossroads where a golden circle of narcissi, centers the area where the four roads meet. Further on, we are treated to banks of bright celandines and later to clumps of yellow daffodils, prettying up the verges. Many trees are now covered in blossom of white and varying shades of pink. A clematis Armandii droops and pours over a wall, its clean bright, white flowers standing out against its strong darkly green leaves. I see sycamore trees with small, bright, limey green bunches of new growth on every branch and twig.
We pass rich, spring green fields of fresh growth bordering the road and stretching out into the distance until seemingly they touch the sky, where it meets the horizon.
I am reminded of the fields of my childhood, and how they have changed in the intervening years, then they were known by their names which often denoted their size, such as half acre field or two acre field, now they are boundless, stretches of land. Where I wonder are all the hedgers and ditchers of my early years, with their brown wizened faces, bent backs, gnarled hands and always a cheery word for a passer-by. They did a fine job. Now most hedges are not cut and laid, ditches are not kept clear, and in many cases fields have lost their hedge boundaries and are now vast and open, characterless dust bowls.
Progress I guess. Easier for the farmers, but not as good for wildlife and definitely not as pretty.
Travelling along, I notice it is sticky bud time and with a smile on my face I think of the smooth, brown, delicately patterned conkers (horse chestnuts) that the autumn will bring. They are part of nature's treasures and I always gather some and keep them in a bowl, where daily I can admire them. Eventually, as winter chills fill the air, I put them out with the bird food and the squirrels take them.
We come to a crossroads where a golden circle of narcissi, centers the area where the four roads meet. Further on, we are treated to banks of bright celandines and later to clumps of yellow daffodils, prettying up the verges. Many trees are now covered in blossom of white and varying shades of pink. A clematis Armandii droops and pours over a wall, its clean bright, white flowers standing out against its strong darkly green leaves. I see sycamore trees with small, bright, limey green bunches of new growth on every branch and twig.
We pass rich, spring green fields of fresh growth bordering the road and stretching out into the distance until seemingly they touch the sky, where it meets the horizon.
I am reminded of the fields of my childhood, and how they have changed in the intervening years, then they were known by their names which often denoted their size, such as half acre field or two acre field, now they are boundless, stretches of land. Where I wonder are all the hedgers and ditchers of my early years, with their brown wizened faces, bent backs, gnarled hands and always a cheery word for a passer-by. They did a fine job. Now most hedges are not cut and laid, ditches are not kept clear, and in many cases fields have lost their hedge boundaries and are now vast and open, characterless dust bowls.
Progress I guess. Easier for the farmers, but not as good for wildlife and definitely not as pretty.
Friday 25 March 2011
Wildlife in the Yorkshire Wolds
We have been staying in the beautiful Yorkshire wolds where the countryside stretches for mile after mile on either side of the car. Main roads are often narrow and twisting with drifts of daffodils and snowdrops along road edges -- on one stretch of wayside it was banked and covered with one of my favourite flowers: primroses.
There were more pheasants wandering about than I have ever seen anywhere before, fascinatingly there were quite a few black ones, and the number killed on the roads was shocking. Hares were also plentiful, as of course were rabbits. We were woken every morning by birdsong, all of the usual birds but in much more abundance, the surprising thing here was the number of sparrows, as well as house sparrows there were even more tree sparrows with their dark cheek spot, and of course dunnocks, which are often mistakenly known as hedge sparrows. Overhead we saw kestrels and red kites plus great flocks of rooks.
The sea was not too far away and we visited it thrice during our stay. The waves and sea-washed pebbles were a joy, and on one occasion we saw an unusual looking goose tagging along with a pair of mallards on a stretch of grass overlooking the sea.
The trees stood out on road edges and field boundaries, often very ancient and always beautiful and eye-catching. At the base of one I saw some unusual funghi -- it was tiny, brown and looked like little cups. York was not so far away and one afternoon my daughter and I went to the city art gallery there to see David Hockney's tree picture -- it was enormous and made up of fifty canvases. We were both eager to see it, as it had been painted along the Warter road, very close to where my daughter lives. Afterwards, we drove along the said road and found and photographed the house and trees Mr. Hockney has immortalised, although from a different angle.
York was very beautiful to walk through, there were so many ancient buildings. We cut through the museum park, where there were some great ruins and a very friendly squirrel.
On the journey home from York we saw a breathtakingly beautiful sunset, it finished the day perfectly.
There were more pheasants wandering about than I have ever seen anywhere before, fascinatingly there were quite a few black ones, and the number killed on the roads was shocking. Hares were also plentiful, as of course were rabbits. We were woken every morning by birdsong, all of the usual birds but in much more abundance, the surprising thing here was the number of sparrows, as well as house sparrows there were even more tree sparrows with their dark cheek spot, and of course dunnocks, which are often mistakenly known as hedge sparrows. Overhead we saw kestrels and red kites plus great flocks of rooks.
The sea was not too far away and we visited it thrice during our stay. The waves and sea-washed pebbles were a joy, and on one occasion we saw an unusual looking goose tagging along with a pair of mallards on a stretch of grass overlooking the sea.
The trees stood out on road edges and field boundaries, often very ancient and always beautiful and eye-catching. At the base of one I saw some unusual funghi -- it was tiny, brown and looked like little cups. York was not so far away and one afternoon my daughter and I went to the city art gallery there to see David Hockney's tree picture -- it was enormous and made up of fifty canvases. We were both eager to see it, as it had been painted along the Warter road, very close to where my daughter lives. Afterwards, we drove along the said road and found and photographed the house and trees Mr. Hockney has immortalised, although from a different angle.
York was very beautiful to walk through, there were so many ancient buildings. We cut through the museum park, where there were some great ruins and a very friendly squirrel.
Tuesday 15 March 2011
Blue Tits and Female Pheasant
A new pair of blue tits have arrived at the nesting box outside the conservatory. I saw them checking it out yesterday. I don't know what has happened to the pair who built a nest there a few weeks ago, they haven't been around lately.
Today the new pair have been very busy clearing out all of the still fresh nesting material carefully collected and put in by their predecessors so recently. I hope this pair will stay and breed.
This morning the female pheasant ran across the lawn to the feeding station as I was still putting out the food, and greedily gobbled it up. This was a first as she usually hangs back, hiding in the bushes, then creeping across when she thinks she is unobserved, and scurrying away at the first sign of a human being.
I think she must have been very hungry to approach as she did, perhaps she is egg laying. Whatever the reason it still gave me a warm feeling to think that she trusted me enough to approach in my presence.
Today the new pair have been very busy clearing out all of the still fresh nesting material carefully collected and put in by their predecessors so recently. I hope this pair will stay and breed.
This morning the female pheasant ran across the lawn to the feeding station as I was still putting out the food, and greedily gobbled it up. This was a first as she usually hangs back, hiding in the bushes, then creeping across when she thinks she is unobserved, and scurrying away at the first sign of a human being.
I think she must have been very hungry to approach as she did, perhaps she is egg laying. Whatever the reason it still gave me a warm feeling to think that she trusted me enough to approach in my presence.
Monday 14 March 2011
Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Two great spotted woodpeckers spent several minutes in the birch tree this morning. I spent so long watching them that by the time I had gathered my wits and fetched my camera one of them had flown away!
Later in the morning I watched a thrush collecting nesting material on and around the side lawn; the nest is being built in the shrubs in front of the greenhouse.
It was interesting to see the three pheasants, two male and one female, feeding together at tea time today, usually by now there is great rivalry between the males, but at the moment there seems to be a truce. I see the female several times a day now, sometimes she is by herself at other times with one or the other or, as today, even both of the males. Unusually, she doesn't seem to have any preference, however we will see as time goes by.
Later in the morning I watched a thrush collecting nesting material on and around the side lawn; the nest is being built in the shrubs in front of the greenhouse.
It was interesting to see the three pheasants, two male and one female, feeding together at tea time today, usually by now there is great rivalry between the males, but at the moment there seems to be a truce. I see the female several times a day now, sometimes she is by herself at other times with one or the other or, as today, even both of the males. Unusually, she doesn't seem to have any preference, however we will see as time goes by.
Sunday 13 March 2011
Egg Stealing Magpie
A mixed weather day, cloudy, rainy, followed by more cloud and surprisingly at 6:30pm a sudden short burst of sunshine, and within 10 minutes a reversion to the cloud covered sky we had endured all day.
We have two pairs of pigeons living in the garden, one in the mahonia on the bank and the other (No-tail and his partner) nesting in the golden conifer. Today the latter pair were busily mating, so egg laying will soon start.
I have watched with pleasure the courtship, nest building in the cornish palm, and mating of one of the pairs of robins, sadly this morning I witnessed the finding of their nest by a magpie, each time he disappeared into the downward hanging, winter ravaged fronds he reappeared with an egg in his beak. I have not seen this particular pair of robins again today. I hope they haven't been driven from the garden.
We have two pairs of pigeons living in the garden, one in the mahonia on the bank and the other (No-tail and his partner) nesting in the golden conifer. Today the latter pair were busily mating, so egg laying will soon start.
I have watched with pleasure the courtship, nest building in the cornish palm, and mating of one of the pairs of robins, sadly this morning I witnessed the finding of their nest by a magpie, each time he disappeared into the downward hanging, winter ravaged fronds he reappeared with an egg in his beak. I have not seen this particular pair of robins again today. I hope they haven't been driven from the garden.
Saturday 12 March 2011
Sunny Days
A bright mild sunny day. Several times today we have seen the female pheasant around the garden, sometimes on her own but often with one or the other of the males, it's good to see her and to look forward to seeing her young.
A Brimstone butterfly has again been flying around the garden, sunshine seems to bring out the butterflies and also enlivens the fish. The warmth of the sun on the water at this time of year seems to put them in mating mode, they are very active and can be seen swimming hither and thither and at times leaping out of the water!
So many flowers in bloom, the snowdrops have passed over, but the forsythia is still looking wonderful, and the first camellia is in bloom.
A Brimstone butterfly has again been flying around the garden, sunshine seems to bring out the butterflies and also enlivens the fish. The warmth of the sun on the water at this time of year seems to put them in mating mode, they are very active and can be seen swimming hither and thither and at times leaping out of the water!
So many flowers in bloom, the snowdrops have passed over, but the forsythia is still looking wonderful, and the first camellia is in bloom.
Friday 11 March 2011
Fieldfares
Today was a bright, sunny, mild day, turning cloudy as the day drew on.
I was delighted to wake up this morning and find fieldfares feeding on the side lawn. They are attractive birds, and a member of the thrush family. They are quite different in appearance to both the song and mistle thrush, although in flight are quite like mistle thrushes. They have a grey head and rump, speckles on the sides of their lower chest joining together higher up. The upper part of the chest is a pale golden beige colour changing to white as it goes down and under the body. They have a chestnut brown back and a black or dark grey tail (not sure which). They are quite unmistakable, once seen, easily recognizable next time. I have taken a photograph of one, so my son will soon put it on here.
I was delighted to wake up this morning and find fieldfares feeding on the side lawn. They are attractive birds, and a member of the thrush family. They are quite different in appearance to both the song and mistle thrush, although in flight are quite like mistle thrushes. They have a grey head and rump, speckles on the sides of their lower chest joining together higher up. The upper part of the chest is a pale golden beige colour changing to white as it goes down and under the body. They have a chestnut brown back and a black or dark grey tail (not sure which). They are quite unmistakable, once seen, easily recognizable next time. I have taken a photograph of one, so my son will soon put it on here.
Thursday 10 March 2011
Barney
Visited relatives in Reading today who are also great friends. They have an excellent feeding station very close to the house and bird watching there is a great joy. They have all of the usual birds plus great spotted woodpeckers, pied wagtails and a pair of black caps. The garden is very long and at dusk and dawn they are visited by foxes, who at present have cubs.
They have a little dog a Westie (West Highland White), he is a cute little fellow and causes much merriment with his antics. He is an excellent companion and house dog but the thing I like best about Barney is the way he stands at the back door watching the garden, and immediately a pigeon or squirrel appears he demands to be let out. As soon as the door is opened he is off faster than the wind tearing across the patio, down the steps and across the lawn and beware any pigeons and squirrels, he doesn't ever catch them, but the fun for Barney is in the chase.
Amazingly, the birds take no notice of him and just continue feeding.
P.S. The foxes at night, of course, unsettle Barney.
They have a little dog a Westie (West Highland White), he is a cute little fellow and causes much merriment with his antics. He is an excellent companion and house dog but the thing I like best about Barney is the way he stands at the back door watching the garden, and immediately a pigeon or squirrel appears he demands to be let out. As soon as the door is opened he is off faster than the wind tearing across the patio, down the steps and across the lawn and beware any pigeons and squirrels, he doesn't ever catch them, but the fun for Barney is in the chase.
Amazingly, the birds take no notice of him and just continue feeding.
P.S. The foxes at night, of course, unsettle Barney.
Wednesday 9 March 2011
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Birds and Butterflies
Redwings and fieldfares in the garden this morning,flying between trees -- I was pleased to see them, although a little surprised because there are no berries left on any bushes or trees and they never use the feeding station.
Followed with delight the erratic flight of two butterflies, a brimstone and a red admiral.
Followed with delight the erratic flight of two butterflies, a brimstone and a red admiral.
Monday 7 March 2011
Horse Chestnut
On the edge of Hertingfordbury are several footpaths -- we explored one that led to Hertford. It wasn't an inspiring one, but the birdsong was wonderful. Just before the footpath, I spied a conker, not as richly burnished as last autumn but still a little shiny. I don't know how but it was still intact and lay on the middle of the path, from its side I saw a fat healthy shoot growing down and into the layer of last autumn's now rotting leaves. Obviously it would never be successful, I felt it was lucky to have lived this long given the situation it was trying to grow in, hard man made path under the layer of leaves that cushioned it and I marveled that it hadn't been stepped upon or collected by some inquisitive child, who may never have seen a conker with its shoot extended before.
We collected it and took it with us until a more suitable growing place was found, and here we planted it. Hopefully it will settle down, grow strongly and one day children will play around it and gather its own conkers.
We enjoyed overhanging shrubs such as forsythia, and found a larch cone dropped onto the bare branches of a shrub, although alone, it looked so pretty.
The most eye catching of all was a shrub on a nearby roadside -- it was covered in bright yellow flowers and such a picture. It was a winter flowering shrub called Cornus mas, a dogwood, and I thought how every garden should have one, it was so bright and cheerful.
We collected it and took it with us until a more suitable growing place was found, and here we planted it. Hopefully it will settle down, grow strongly and one day children will play around it and gather its own conkers.
We enjoyed overhanging shrubs such as forsythia, and found a larch cone dropped onto the bare branches of a shrub, although alone, it looked so pretty.
The most eye catching of all was a shrub on a nearby roadside -- it was covered in bright yellow flowers and such a picture. It was a winter flowering shrub called Cornus mas, a dogwood, and I thought how every garden should have one, it was so bright and cheerful.
Saturday 5 March 2011
Spring Time
The emperor is here with his mate every day. I wish she wasn't so nervous as it makes it difficult to take a good photograph of her -- she is usually running for cover and mostly I just end up with a blurred back end of her. I shall keep trying!
The garden is looking so pretty, there are so many flowers out now.
Friday 4 March 2011
Catkins and Cones
Pleased to see a pair of pheasants feeding again this morning and look forward to seeing their chicks later on.
Down the lane to lean over the bridge and watch the river, it is still quite high and fascinating to watch as it rushes along.
Further along the lane I passed a small larch tree. It looked so pretty with its fresh yellow catkins and last year's brown cones still attached. Each one is such a contrast to the other and the visual effect so pleasing that I always have to stop and admire it.
I love all trees but of all trees I think larch trees, oaks and birches are my favourite, and best of all is the mighty oak because it supports so much wildlife. It is hard to choose between the larch and birch for second place.
The larch also supports some wildlife and as I have already said is such a pretty tree, it gives us both catkins and cones while the birch in its turn gives wonderful autumn colour with its butter yellow leaves, it also supports wild life and of course has catkins. I have yet to see any tree look as stunning as the birch tree when it is brightly white after a hard frost, the blue sky is behind it and the sun shining strongly on it, picking out the frost and making it sparkle and glitter. Breathtakingly beautiful.
So I think the larch and birch must tie in second place.
Down the lane to lean over the bridge and watch the river, it is still quite high and fascinating to watch as it rushes along.
Further along the lane I passed a small larch tree. It looked so pretty with its fresh yellow catkins and last year's brown cones still attached. Each one is such a contrast to the other and the visual effect so pleasing that I always have to stop and admire it.
I love all trees but of all trees I think larch trees, oaks and birches are my favourite, and best of all is the mighty oak because it supports so much wildlife. It is hard to choose between the larch and birch for second place.
The larch also supports some wildlife and as I have already said is such a pretty tree, it gives us both catkins and cones while the birch in its turn gives wonderful autumn colour with its butter yellow leaves, it also supports wild life and of course has catkins. I have yet to see any tree look as stunning as the birch tree when it is brightly white after a hard frost, the blue sky is behind it and the sun shining strongly on it, picking out the frost and making it sparkle and glitter. Breathtakingly beautiful.
So I think the larch and birch must tie in second place.
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Crow Goes Fishing
Had fun watching a crow this morning. He had been following a squirrel around and harassing him to make the squirrel drop his biscuit. He never did, but eventually when he'd eaten his fill the squirrel buried the next one. As soon as the squirrel moved away the crow unearthed the biscuit and flew to a large blue plastic plant tray which I use as a bird bath, balancing on the side he started to dunk the biscuit making no effort to eat it. After several dunks he was left with a tiny piece in his beak and the rest in the water!
He must have felt very frustrated, he had waited a long time for this biscuit and now he had lost it, he didn't give up though, he spent the next four and a half minutes trying unsuccessfully to retrieve it, before flying away.
He must have felt very frustrated, he had waited a long time for this biscuit and now he had lost it, he didn't give up though, he spent the next four and a half minutes trying unsuccessfully to retrieve it, before flying away.
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Blackbirds and daffodils
Pleased today to see blackbirds collecting nesting material.
Today is St David's day and, as if to support it, the daffodils are out in force.
Today is St David's day and, as if to support it, the daffodils are out in force.
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