Cyn's Nature Notes: Butterflies, Robin Hatchlings and Shelducks

Monday 7 April 2014

Butterflies, Robin Hatchlings and Shelducks

So many butterflies this morning, many different sized whites, beautiful yellow brimstones, small tortoiseshells, peacocks and both male and female orange tips. I read recently that brimstones feed on buckthorn, I have none in my garden, however the garden is full of brimstones as it has been for twenty seven years, so I guess there must be something here they survive on, I wonder if it is honesty.

I was delighted to see a robin collecting food and carrying it back to his/her nest, these must be the first young birds to hatch this year. I shall enjoy seeing them when they leave the nest and watching their breast redden as they grow.

The field at the end of the garden is still partially flooded and a few days ago I spotted a pair of shelducks on the water, I wonder how long they will stay. The roof ducks are still daily visitors and we are also delighted by a pair of mallards, they drop in to feed and then make haste to leave, because if the male of the roof ducks spots them they are attacked and driven from the garden. it is a shame they are not able to feel at ease here because she is so tiny and a pretty little duck, she is however very timid.

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About this Blog

When we moved to our present home in December 1987, I was very ill and bedridden. My garden was a life-saver, although it was very different then. The first thing I did was to put up bird-feeders, and long hours were spent lying indoors in a recliner. This was when I discovered many things. Do you know the underside of every blue tit’s tail is differently marked? Gradually, over the years, the garden changed. We put in shrubs and plants that would not only enhance the garden, but would also be good for wildlife. The first rabbit we saw was so joyful for us. The deer eat the flowers, prune the apple trees, eat the marrow, and are wonderful to watch. Foxes have been a major part of our wildlife. We have fed them each night for more than 20 years. They are such a delight, especially in late summer and early autumn when there are youngsters. They behave like puppies and are great fun to watch.

I love all wildlife: the mason bees that nest in the brickwork of the bungalow, the hornets that last year made their home in the roof above our bedroom, the bees currently nesting in the roof above the bathroom. On a hot evening, if you stand quietly in the bathroom, you can hear this amazing sound: it is very rhythmic and reminds me of the waves at the seaside. It is made by the beating of the bees’ wings as they fan their nest to keep the temperature at the right level -- how many people have heard that sound? I feel so privileged.

Obviously, I feed the birds. When I open the window in the morning I call “Come on Bobby and Blackie”, and one followed swiftly by the other they fly immediately to the bird table. Each morning, on rising, I make my way to the kitchen and find the squirrels already sitting on the window ledge waiting to be fed. Winter brings the moorhens and spring time the mallards. Our pond is a poor effort from a human point of view, but wild creatures see it differently. On summer days, the grass snakes spend long hours in the pond: eating the fish, froglets, toadlings, newts, and any other living creature they can swallow. Although I hate to see the pond emptied this way, I do enjoy the snakes and feel they are an important part of the balance of nature in the garden. Watching a dragonfly nymph climbing out of the pond, up a plant stalk, and then over the next few hours gradually transforming into a beautiful dragonfly -- these are contented hours well spent.

It has been my pleasure to write and publish a nature column each month. I am always delighted to hear how much pleasure this brings to my readers. I have often been asked if I have written a book, so I am making more of my writings and photography available through this web site and blog.