The Hungry Squirrel

There is a place in the garden, by the side of an arch, where cowslips both yellow and orange grow with abandon, and weeds and grasses freely shoot up, here the grass can't be cut until the the cowslips have seeded.

In this same spot grow also periwinkles, clematis and and a beautiful yellow/orange trumpet vine (Campsis Radicans), here amid this wild growth, right in the midst of the tangle is where great tits chose to build their nest. The two of them were delightful to watch, then one day we only saw one bird going to and from the nest and knew that the other was brooding eggs.

Each day we watched the area waiting for the eggs to hatch. Then one morning with a sinking heart, I saw a squirrel exiting the small wilderness, and suddenly there were two agitated great tits flying to and fro, on and off the plants above and dropping down to where the nest had been.

Although their young were still only eggs, the parental feeling was already strong and the parents were fixated on their now raided nest and its precious contents.For the next three to four days they continued to search the area before giving up.

I felt very sad for them while also recognising that the squirrel meant no harm, he/she was only fulfilling his/her desire to feed. Warm eggs to a hungry squirrel on a cold day must have been wonderful. Is this any different to us eating hens and ducks eggs. Although I will never forget the distress of the great tits.

A Jealous Duck

Wow! What a morning.

Walked into the kitchen for the first time today, just in time to see the roof duck take off and fly from the garden. I haven't seen her for a few days and felt sad that I hadn't noticed her to feed her.

A few minutes later as I started making breakfast, turning toward the side window I once more saw the roof duck rise from the side lawn chased by the male belonging to the larger of the two brown female mallards that visit. The roof duck must have been very hungry to keep returning so quickly. I threw a mug of seed onto the path under the side window and hastened to fetch some bread, wetting it I moved to the window and was pleased to see that for a third time, she had returned and was eating the seed --- which she quickly left to eat the bread.

As I was still breaking and throwing the wet bread, I noticed No-tail the pigeon on the lawn, he tends to keep away from the ducks since he was set upon by an angry male. Feeling sorry for him I ceased throwing the bread to the roof duck and instead tossed the next few pieces to No-tail, as I threw the third piece I heard a quack and looked toward the duck who was watching me. I threw the next piece again to No-tail on the lawn and to my amazement with angry sounding quacks the female roof duck took off, flew onto the lawn and straight at No-tail who beat a hasty retreat into an oak tree opposite the front gate. Whereupon the roof duck returned to her food under the window, but, and I tell you this with a smile on my face, not before a magpie had flown down grabbed an enormous beakful of her food and flown away.

This is another example of animal behaviour reminding me of human behaviour.

My Magical Garden

We are so lucky living here, half way through this morning, a fox was mooching about on the lawn, in broad day light and right by the lounge patio doors.

Five minutes ago I looked out of the patio doors and saw on the lawn a bullfinch drinking at the bird bath, a goldfinch eating the seeds from a dandelion, a pigeon wandering past, a robin perched on a garden chair and flying overhead a heron.

It is no wonder that I love this magical garden, it is filled with flowers and the perfume from it assails your senses as soon as the door is opened and you step outside. It is also alive with all the creatures that either live here or visit and the air is filled with the song of birds.

It is, I guess, a perfect English country garden.