Monday / Tuesday 30th/31st January 2012

Another two days being bright and sunny. Overnight frosts means cold mornings however!
Exciting news today was Woody sounding out the nest box. At one point had it's head inside the box. Brilliant news.
Woody and the pair of Jays are eating the Monkey Nuts non stop, will have to compromise as have worked out I am giving them 160 per day. Worked out as four handfuls per day (approx' 20 per handful, two nuts per shell).
                   Snowdrops in bud now, normaly due out end of Feb'. Camelia is now out in full bloom, just hope the mornings frost do not damage the remaining buds?

Saturday 28th / Sunday 29th January 2012

Brilliant weather conditions for the weekends Birdwatch. The big surprise of the weekend was spotting a Tree Creeper on the Silver Birch Tree / Robinia Tree. Picture taken on the Robinia (note the monkey nut shell left by the Woodpecker). I appreciate not a quality picture as taken through the kitchen window with the tree 20 mtrs away.
Had a good result with Birdwatch, the good weather conditions helped with the Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds & Doves pairing up.
                  Compled the wiring of the outdoor camera system, all now connected to the monitor by way of a 3 way viewing system. Just hope the various nest boxes and feeding station are now used?!
                   Made a sowing of Onions and Broad Beans this afternoon. Have planted the Onions in Pots which hopefully will stop the normal problem of Birds nicking the bulbs when planted in the garden. This way the Onions will have had a good root start before planting out.

Friday 27th January 2012

Overnight Frost but another Sunny Day. Birds again very active but looking at the Weather info' for the coming month I think perhaps the cold will calm the Birds down!
Above pictures taken today, all outside and not due out for at least another Month.
Picture 1 - Crocus
     "     2 - Tulip
     "     3 - Alphine Iris
     "     4 - Strawberry
     "     5 - Another Alphine plant but unsure of name.

Thursday 26th January 2012

Another beautiful day. I went for a long walk round the local estate this afternoon, what a boring walk I hear you say? Certainly not my usual type of walk but I did thouroughly enjoy the stroll, simply amazed at the number of Spring Flowers out in the gardens and hedges. Good easily be mistaken it was Spring / Summer.
At home I noticed the Purple Crocus are now out along with one white Tulip. Will photograph tomorrow.
                A year ago today the Black Cap appeared at the Feeder so must keep an eye out hoping I have a return visit this year.

Tuesday 24th January / Wednesday 25th January 2012

Last two days again very mild but rather wet. Not a bad thing as we are told there is a severe water shortage in the Country.
Although not fixed outside yet I have now fixed the cameras in the Nestbox, Hedgehog Box and Bird Feeder Station. I now have meters of cable to clip outside from the respective 'positions' which will finally be connected to the TV Monitor by a 3 way connector into the 'Useful' Room. So called as the room is used for Garden Wildlife watching, relaxing, photograph gallery, hide and of course the camera(s) monitor.
Received the RSPB Bird Watch Pack today. Birdwatch is this weekend, will be s*ds law birds will be scarce on the ground during the count!
Wrens still busy so really hopeful for a result there, Male & Female Woody also busy but as I have mentioned before they tend to nest in the neighbourhood. Just use my garden for the Monkey Nuts!

Monday 23rd January 2012

Another lovely day, bit of a chill but still feels like Spring!
Picture 1 - Pigeon on the Monkey Nut table.
      "     2 - Jay with a Nut that has been taken from a Monkey Nut Shell.
      "     3 - Foxy with remains of a Pigeon. Taken at night.
      "     4 - Woody resting after securing the Monkey Nut wedged in the slot of the tree.
      "     5 - Woody making another hole or slot in the tree.
Today had the pleasure of watching a pair of Wrens, brilliant news as not seen them since before Christmas.
A Sparrow Hawk caught a Pigeon on the front lawn this morning, spends a lot of time in the front. Only a couple of weeks ago he caught a Blackbird by the gate.

Sunday 22nd January 2012

Could not wish for better weather if it was Spring! Another very mild and sunny day. Certainly confusing the Birds!
Managed a cracking photograph of a Jay just about to fly away with a Monkey Nut. Have also managed a series of Photographs of Woody taking a Monkey Nut, wedging it in the Robinia Tree before commencing to eat.
Fox also captured - all pictures will be uploaded tomorrow.

Saturday 21st January 2012.

Very mild and Sunny day - above pictures taken this afternoon of Flowers that are not due out until late Spring/Summer. Never known anything like this.
Picture 1 - Camelia Shrub, there are at least a further five buds ready to flower very shortly.
     "      2 - Leycesteria - (sorry about the quality of photograph) - not due out until mid Summer. Is a good food source for Bullfinches.
Picture 3 - Geranium - not due to flower until mid to late Summer. Mine are grown in the border and left to die over Winter. I would then (normaly) purchase further plants in the Spring for the Summer colour. Not one plant has died, incredible.
Picture 4 - Hellebore - this variety is a Summer one. The 'official' winter variety are also out.
Over the last two weeks I have also recorded Poppies and Dandylions out in flower.

Birdwatch! Not sure where the Jays were today, not seen all day. Female Spotted Woodpecker very busy however chomping away at the Monkey Nuts. I have a Robinia Tree which Woody has adopted, she/he wedges the Monkey Nut into the bark of the tree to make life easier for breaking the shell. Not sure what this is doing to the tree?!
Noticed a sick Dove today, clearly has the disease which affects the throat. Did try catching it but did manage to fly over the fence. It was sad to see, clearly in distress.
Will be taking down all the feeders tomorrow for a thorough clean.

Thursday 19th January 2012

Very mild day, wet morning, sunny afternoon. Weather does not get any stranger than this!
With decorating still top of the agenda I was not able to spend to much time Bird Watching. Woodpecker and Jays particularly busy chomping away at the Monkey Nuts. No sign of the Heron today, the picture above was taken yesterday on the roof of the shed overlooking the Pond. Picture two is the Crow in the Slver Birch which is only a matter of mtrs distance from the Shed. The Crow once again started to dive bomb the Heron which flew off rather than put up with the grief!
Picture one is of the Sunrise looking through a port hole in the newly built hide at Fobney Meadows close to the lock. It is an area which has recently had a make over incorporating pathways, lakes, hides and a complete replanting / reseeding with shrubs, trees and wildflowers.

Wednesday 18th January 2012

My apologies, have been offline for five days.
Although today has been mild but cloudy we have endured a couple of frosty mornings since Friday.
Heron continues to be a problem, can only keep chasing or rely on the two Crows. The reason I have a problem with the Heron is because of the Wildlife in the Pond. Yesterday there was an oily film over the Pond from his feathers, proof he had been in the Pond.
Sparrow Hawk caused a few problems for the Sparrows this afternoon, never saw a catch but continued to harrass for a good hour.
Good news from Boyo tonight, a photograph of the 'Albino' Bat taken last year has been noted with interest by the Bat Association. Early days yet but watch this space, and hoping of course there is a further sighting this year.

Friday 13th January 2012

Frosty morning meaning another bright day with blue skies. Temp' never went above 9.
Heron caused some excitement late this afternoon. Just as the sun was setting the Heron appeared once again on the summerhouse roof, this time bombarded by Seagulls and two Crows. Picture 1 shows one of the Crows. While on the lawn watching all this the Woodpecker arrives to see what all the commotion is about, picture 2!

Thursday 12th January 2012

Yet again a mild,sunny spring like day, temp' 16. One of the best sunsets tonight that I have seen.
Not much to record today as commenced decorating the Hallway/Landing. Am really excited about the Woodpecker as was actually looking inside the Nesting Box today. Foxy very active again last night, hopefully I will have footage on the Trail Camera which I will check over the weekend.

Wednesday 11th January 2012

Another Mild, Sunny day again temp' at 15. Was a chilly morning with the most beautiful sunrise - picture 1.
Picture 2 & 3 is of a Female Reed Bunting, this was the bird I first saw yesterday, identified by my friend Boyo.
Spent most of the day chasing away the Heron, picture 4 shows him approaching the pond. Branches that slightly obscures the picture is the Silver Birch.
Woodpecker showing further interest in the Nesting Box but my gut feeling is he will nest elsewhere.
Foxy made a clean sweep of a Pigeon leaving me with a very neat pile of feathers on the back slated path.

Tuesday 10th January 2012

Today was another warm mild day, in fact weather station was showing full sun with temp' of 15.
Picture today is one of the Doves taking Peanuts from the top of the feeder. Really am now going to find the top to put paid to this practice!
The Nest, Feeder and Hedgehog Camera Kits arrived tonight so this will be my job tomorrow. Am very excited working out how to setup the equipment.
Heron appeared today on the Summerhouse Roof overlooking the Pond. Was not happy about being chased and returned again within the hour.
Late afternoon spotted a very slim Goldfinch size Bird ground feeding the sunflower seeds, have submitted picture (very poor quality) to Boyo for identification.

Monday 9th January 2012

Another warm and sunny day, Birds and Plants are well confused now. I have Poppies and Dandilions in flower + all the Bulbs are now a couple of inches above ground.
A very strange happening this morning - I had my camera poised ready for a picture of Foxy which had been playing on the lawn during breakfast. Without warning this white haze appeared (picture 1), the Bird flew off as quick as it appeared, had chance to see it was a Seagull. Never seen one in the garden before, what on earth could it have been doing, surely not bombarding the Fox? I will never know.
Picure 2 is the Swift Box I recently made and picture 3 is the Leaf Cutter Bee Box I also made recently. Tubes are last years Sunflower Stems cut to 200mm lengths.

Sunday 8th January 2012

Another mild sunny day, can't believe this is really January. Robins were flirting today, the Spotted Woodpeckers were flying in tandem most of the day so hopefully I will have them nesting in the box this year. Just need to keep the Blue Tit out who was actually was again today flying in and out of the box! Still find it unusual they are interested in such a large box.
Counted 6 Gold Finches on the feeders today but only managed a picture of two of them on the Sunflower feeder. Interesting picture of the Great Tit inside the the Peanut Feeder, this feeder was filled twice today. The Dove also was taking from this feeder but only as far as its neck would allow him!
Another night with no movement of Rat Poison but one found dead on the path.

Saturday 7th January 2012.

Might be January but today has so much Spring. Mild, Blue Skys and some Sun! Went for early morning walk, first since Christmas. Met up with 'Boyo' to hopefully see Little Owles (at a known spot where we had seen them before) but sadly not today. Was a stunning Sunrise however.
My favourite Bird (Long Tailed Tit) were busy on the feeders today, 7 at one count, managed to picture 3 on the fat balls.
Woodpecker busy today, have had to order a further 12.5kg bag of Monkey Nuts! Saw an incredible fight between a Pigeon and a Blackbird, Blackbird was not happy with this particular Pigeon being in the garden (not seen such action before). Just would not allow it to land and was pulling feathers out in flight, an amazing sight.
A further night where the Rat Poison was left, confident now I have all the Rats.
Ordered today from Handykam a Nestbox & Camera Kit, a Bird Feeder & Camera Kit and a Hedghog Box & Camera Kit. This was with the Voucher presented to me on my retirement.

Friday 6th January 2012

A more settled day, very mild despite an overnight frost.
The following Birds were defo' pairing today: Blackbirds (2.pairs), Pigeons, Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Robin and Blue Tit.
Last year the Robin took over the Swift Box (hence making another) and today the Blue Tit has been in and out of the Woodpecker Box, most unusial that as the box is so good. Already looking like an interesting Spring ahead.
For the first time in a month no Rat Poison was touched so hopefully that is the end of that saga?

Thursday 5th January 2012

Another wet and windy day. Not much to report today as spent most of the day over at my Mothers.
Did notice this morning in a lul from the rain the number of Birds that have started 'pairing'. Will have to look at fixing up the Swift Nesting Box I made over Christmas.

Wednesday 4th January 2012.

Mild, showery day. Beautiful Sunrise. Plastic Flower Pots litter the Garden from yesterdays gales. Although speeds of 102 mph were recorded in Scotland we scored a little better with speeds of 60 mph recorded.
Rat(s)/Mice ate through another saucer full of poison overnight. No sign of them today so perhaps winning the battle!
Jays very busy with the Monkey Nuts, have restricted them to 3 handfulls a day. All the other Birds I would normally see were also busy on the various feeders.

Tuesday 3rd January 2012

Very wet with 70 mph gales so not much going on today. Birds having trouble to fly, did have the Finches, Sparrows, Robin, Blackbirds and Doves in attendance but sadly no sighting of the Jays or Woodpeckers.
Did spend some time playing hide and seek with a Mouse that had dug a hole under the Summer Bedding Sink.
Do have a Rat problem which is taking a while to sort, not seen today but poison seeds taken.

Monday 2nd January 2012

Another mild day + a few showers. Arrived home mid afternoon after the few days in the New Forest.
Back home to find most of the Bird Feeders empty. It was seconds after refilling that the daily favourites re-appeared! Pair Jays and pair Spotted Woodpeckers were a welcome sight. Long Tailed Tits, Wren, Robin, Green and Gold Finches, Blackbirds, Doves and Sparrows were all spotted before darkness fell.

1st January 2012

New Year starting off very mild and very wet. Staying at an old Farm Cottage built in 1627 at Brockenhurst in the New Forest.
Went for a walk along the Coast at Barton On Sea with a shorter walk at Mudeford, cut short due to the very wet weather. Afternoon spent at a Pub in Burley. Not comfortable as so packed.
Enjoyed another good evening meal at the Cottage with good wine after a rather uncomfortable day due to the weather.