Garden Full Of Birdsong!

I was lucky enough to be working from home recently and looking out of the window on a coffee break I saw a beautiful sight! 

I had heard the birds singing as I worked but when I looked our garden was filled with birds of such a variety of types and sizes, they were so lovely. 

Read more about my happy experience here. It is always worth looking out of the window!  

A Garden Filled With Birds


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We Certainly Have Weather!

There is an old anonymous saying that goes something like this:-

"Wether the weather be fine,
Or wether the weather be not
Whether the weather be cold,
Or wether the weather be hot,
We'll weather the weather , whatever the weather,
Weather we like it or not !"

Yes it's a bit of a tongue twister but so has our weather recently. So far this winter we have had no or little snow and it really hasn't been that cold. 

However in the north we had a tidal surge that flooded the city near us and we have had gales and it has rained, rained and more rain of late. We are also having massive coastal erosion and losing especially on the east coast much of the land and many houses were built on the coastline. It is devastating for people and some of the wildlife.

The last month has seen the south of England hit hard by gales, waves of over sixty-foot high crashing into coastal areas and massive devastating flooding. 

The flooding has been in some areas like Somerset for over a month now and many people's homes, farms, businesses and lives are ruined. 

Wildlife has its losers in this situation as well especially those who rely on freshwater rivers for survival and it is not good for anyone with standing polluted floodwater. The recovery, when it eventually stops raining and the rivers stop breaking their banks, will be long. 

So while I am not wishing to wish our lives away I do say now roll on Spring or at least some dry weather so the areas so badly affected in the UK can take stock and recover and rebuild. My thoughts to all affected. 

Glorious Winter Sky

I wanted to share this stunning winter sky with you. 

This amazing beauty appeared over the tops of houses near me one evening, what a glorious sight! 

It certainly is worth venturing outside now and again these cold evenings, wrap up warm and keep safe of course but just to see just what is going on out there. 

It is better than anything on TV ! 

Signs Of Life In The Depths Of Winter.

Even though we are in early January, walking around our garden today I can see signs of life. Winter is well and truly here and bare branches are everywhere on the trees but look closely, look for longer and you can see the promise...

  

This year so far we have not had snow just fierce winds and storms and rain and tidal surges but no snow so its easier to see the tiny signs. 

The elephant's ears are starting to bloom one is out in full pink bloom a welcome sight on a cold dull day. 

There are a few shoots peeping up from the bulbs I planted in the autumn. The Camillia is laden quite heavy with tightly closed buds I sense waiting for warmer weather and is doing very well despite being somewhat battered by the destructive winds we have had.

 Our large Magnolia from a distance looks in the depths of winter but upon closer inspection, I can see the buds all there just waiting to bide their time before they burst forth in gorgeous creamy white blossom.

Oh yes, it's cold and rainy and windy and still gets dark early but the hours of daylight are lengthening each day and each day we creep slowly closer to spring. There is much to celebrate in winter but now and again I need to know that nature is preparing for the better weather ahead and today I saw that. 

Stay warm, keep healthy and now and again take a look for signs of new life in your garden.   

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wishing you all A Lovely Christmas time and a very happy and healthy New Year !

Wow it is windy and rainy and cold today! In all the hectic ness of getting ready for Christmas it is important to spare a thought for the wildlife for whom this time of year  can be rough.  We try to keep our bird feeders topped up and the water in the Birdbath and other water trays clean and free of debris. 

If you have log piles  stacked in your garden in a quiet spot they will already be great winter habitats for  small insects and other creatures.

We have just had the winter solstice and the shortest day and although  we are truly in winter now the hours of daylight are very slowly starting to lengthen. A long way off spring yet and yes colder weather to come but we start the upturn in daylight hours now :) 
   
There is not much for us to do in the garden anymore so now is the time I love to settle in with a nice mug of tea or mulled wine,  some gardening books and magazines and dream away about the plants and plans for the garden year ahead:)

If you are celebrating it Enjoy a wonderful Christmas :)

Time To Put Up Nest Boxes For Birds

Now is the time, if you haven't already done it to put up your bird next boxes.

Although most birds won't be nesting until Springtime they do start looking for sites soon.

There are essentially a couple of types of nest boxes, one for small birds like blue tits which have a small hole at the front of the box and one for birds like robins who need a larger more open entrance. 

There are also specialist boxes for birds like owls. Ideally, you would have a variety of types of nest boxes.

 

 It is important to site the boxes in areas where there will not be too much full sun for too long.

Sadly baby birds can get overheated and die in a box that is exposed to too much sun so shade or semi-shade is best.

 

 Next, if it is a box for bluetits it may be wise to buy a protector for the hole that simply fits over it to prevent woodpeckers from pecking at the hole to get at the baby birds.

Of course, ideally, site the next box where cats cannot easily gain access.

There are many different types of next box available. All the birds need is a simple structure that is well made, dry and large enough.

However, you can also buy simply beautiful next boxes that are decorated, look like houses or castles, have gardens everything! It all depends on how you want your garden to look.

The sooner you get your boxes up the more chance there is that the birds will be used enough to them to consider them as a nest site.

A Stillness In The Garden

Taking a break from writing and housework I went out into our garden. I pottered around a bit tidying here and there and noticed the bird feeders were nearly empty so filled them. Then I stood still with the sun on my face and noticed how very quiet it was.

Such a delicious, peaceful quietness. The odd quiet short song of a bird, a flapping of wings, a twig snapped, but essentially quiet. 

My little robin friend came down to see me. He arrives on the scene usually within five minutes of me going outside these days. He is taking an educated guess that I may be digging! 

Not today my little friend. but he hopped over and ate the seeds that had dropped from the feeder instead so I did not disappoint him.

Then although the sun was shining beautifully on my face and head I turned and noticed huge dark clouds. Then I felt the first splat of rain on my skin, heavy, slow, can't be bothered type of rain.

I looked around and yes there it was a full arc of a gorgeous rainbow! So pretty with all its colours. It was a stunning yet fleeting sight and the dark clouds rolled over it to obscure it within a minute but I saw it. 

Rain increasing I headed inside. I was so glad I didn't miss all that. It's amazing what you can experience with just a short venture into your own garden :)