It is mid-afternoon, we awoke to a wet, dull and overcast day, at last the rain has ceased, the darker clouds have fled and although the sun is not shining at least the clouds are lighter and the day brighter.
For some time now the garden has taken backstage in our lives, it has become so overgrown Mike has felt overwhelmed and consequently defeated by it. Over the years it slowly turned into a small nature reserve and our own wonderful piece of paradise, which we have delighted in sharing with all wildlife who wanted to live here or just spend time using it.
Some of the trees were so old and had grown so large --- silver birch, acacia and flowering cherry --- that they had become a concern because they were dropping large branches. The tops of the trees had huge 10 -20 feet branches fallen but caught in the canopy. With the high winds we are now experiencing we decided to have these removed, an agonizing decision, that brought tears and feelings of frustration. No doubt many of you will over the years have read blogs featuring the beloved birch tree, from the bare ice covered branches, lit by bright sunlight and with a clear blue sky behind, to the tiny new brown early stage catkins. The beauty of the tree in full catkin on a fine spring morning, the elegant look while it was in full leaf and the whole a golden yellow beacon shining out and lifting our hearts on a sunny autumn day. The birds, insects and squirrels also loved it, we could often see flocks of long tailed tits flitting about in it, as well as goldcrests, the squirrels often used to sit waiting for breakfast, watching from the branches to see when we were up and about, so they could come and bang with their tiny hands on the side kitchen window to attract our attention.
Shrubs have (to my mind) been decimated, many cut to ground level and two beautiful acers have disappeared altogether. I feared for the wildlife especially the birds in this cold weather, because so much shelter has gone. However I have to be philosophical about it, more work was needed than I could presently manage and perhaps the bare branched acers were not recognisable to the "landscapers"! All new spring growth has been trodden heavily underfoot, daffodils, aconites, snowdrops, primulas and much more. Life is a big learning curve, from this I have learnt that not everything is within one's control, being so breathless I was unable to keep a close eye on things, and I take comfort from the fact that even the down trodden plants and bulbs will given time return.
The upside of this is that Mike is so pleased, he now feels the garden is more in his control than for a long time, and that to me is joyful.
We would like in time to replace the birch with one that doesn't belong in a forest, we will also have the delightful task of researching and choosing two more trees. These will be chosen very carefully with size and attractiveness to wildlife, the most important features.
I expected not to see so much wildlife in the garden today, however, there has been as much as ever, the green woodpecker continues to spend most of the day here, our lawn obviously contains a full larder hidden underneath. Long tailed tits, blue tits, great tits, many blackbirds, pair of song thrushes, robins and wrens have spent the day gleaning for insects, spiders etc. which has been very heartening.
We have wondered where the foxes live, but have been unable discover the place, however all is now revealed; the workmen watched them running from the compost area when they were using their chainsaws nearby. I really hope they return..
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