Another brilliant day with temp' reaching a high of 19c this afternoon.
A rather wasted morning, thought there was an exhibition on at the Museum 'Reading in the War Years'. Not only is the exhibition not open yet but the Museum is closed on a Monday!
Oh well, back home and an afternoon in the garden and what an afternoon. Despite no food out the Red Kite came down to the lawn and almost lost control flying away when two Crows appeared and started bombarding the Kite. The noise was ear splitting.
Yellow Brimstone and Peacock Butterflies were about, seem to like the hyacinths.
Could not help noticing the number of different daffodils in the garden. A fair number of different varieties.
Blue Tit is not sitting yet, spent all afternoon gathering moss, been two weeks now constructing.
Picture 1 - Shield Beetle.
" 2 - Peacock Butterfly.
Remaining photographs of Daffodils.
A cracking day with temp' reaching a high of 22c mid afternoon.
Day spent in garden just mooching, relaxing and enjoying the odd pint. In between the odd pint I made a mouse feeding station using my recently purchased mouse cam. Used an old branch, hollowed out with a couple of entrance holes. Have placed a fat ball in the branch hoping a mouse will enjoy?
Good to watch the Blue Tit gathering moss for their nest. By late afternoon the nest appeared to be finished as she was sitting and was still there at 1am when I went to bed.
The Starlings are an absolute baffle. So much material in the box they now have trouble getting in. Made the box so dark that it has made it impossible to view anything via the monitor.
Picture 1 - Gathering moss.
" 2 - Making it cosy.
" 3 - No room for any more material.
" 4 - I told you, no more material.
" 5 - Mouse cam.
What a superb day, wall to wall sunshine with temp' reaching a high of 19c this afternoon.
After an early morning walk at Fobney the day was spent in the garden.
Managed to clear up the remaining autumn leaves and remove all the self seeded hellebore plants.
A quality hour was spent tasting the first pints from Neil's brewery. Thanks Neil, nice surprise that.
Rest of the afternoon was spent resting and taking in the amount of life on the bird feeder at the bottom end of garden. A good mix of Sparrows, Chaffinches, Blue/Great Tits, Robins, Wren and of course Pigeons.
Within minutes of being indoors (5pm) the Sparrowhawk appeared on the bbq roof before making a swoop and resting on a deck post. He was aware of me but not bothered, the glaring eyes are a picture.
Picture 1 - A peaceful Fobney in early morning.
" 2 - A Coot, one of a pair.
" 3 - A Swan on the pull, she was having none of it.
" 4 - Pair of Egyptian Geese.
" 5 - ???? Butterfly. Help in identifying please Doug, cheers.
" 6 - Peacock Butterfly.
" 7 & 8 - Male Sparrowhawk.
Another mixed bag of weather, 2mm recorded rainfall, fair bit of sun in between showers.
Casual shop at Henry Street buying another Fern, a Fritillary and a pot of Sweet peas.
All in the garden during the afternoon.
Mr. Chip carried out a good job on the C4 post damage. Will never be visiting Perranporth again.....
The Sunflower competition 2014 was announced tonight on FB for a start date of next weekend. Giving growers time to obtain their seed.
Picture 1 - Goodies from Henry Street.
" 2 - Sunflower competition.
" 3 - A selection of picture frames up for grabs.
" 4 - Tufty after the sunflower hearts.
What a day for changes in weather conditions. Mild, sunny, dark, rain, sleet and at times windy. Only 2mm of rain recorded as during the storm this afternoon it was mainly sleet/hail.
Spent morning in workshop sorting out all my picture frames, mounts and glass. Now have a number of frames spare if anyone interested, (no spare mounts/glass).
Relaxed in the observatory all afternoon watching the Blue Tit and Starling on the monitor and the large number of birds in the garden. Even the storm failed to stop them, the Sparrowhawk spent some time in one position appearing to enjoy the awful conditions.
A first today, the Red Kite dropped to the lawn and carried away a lump of chicken I put out to keep the Magpies away from the feeders. My photograph showed a mm of tail feathers on the outer edge of the photograph. May try again sometime with the trail cam set?
Pictures 1 & 2 - Trail cam photographs of the Pigeon in flight and the Sparrowhawk.
" 3 - Crow ready to pounce on the Magpies.
" 4 & 5 - Blue Tit captured through the monitor.
" 6 & 7 - Sparrowhawk in the rain and missing a catch.
" 8, 9 & 10 - Another book from Pumpkin Publishers...!
Another mild but dull and miserable. Rain and sleet moved in at 4.30pm giving the feeling of winter.
Delivered C4 early this morning to Chips Away who are repairing the damage caused by the metal post that was in my way!
Day spent in workshop re-boxing my souvenirs. The cardboard boxes had become pretty weak, now housed in re-cycled plastic boxes. I was somewhat amused at some of the souv's I found including this Bird book I produced in 1958! At only 11 years old I clearly had an interest in bird life which has continued to today. I should be an expert by now?
Young Jay appeared again this morning as did the Sparrowhawk. Sparrowhawk missed its target despite a couple of swoops. Only stayed a matter of minutes this morning.
Blue Tit still busy building and the Starling still bringing in material and removing as much.
My wandering camera recently purchased from Handykam arrived this afternoon, guess what I am doing tomorrow?
Picture 1 - Young Jay.
" 2 - Sparrowhawk.
" 3 - C4 damage.
" 4 - 8 - Bird book I published in 1958!
" 9 - Wandering Cam.
Reasonably mild but dull and showery. 20mm recorded rainfall.
Most of the day spent with Chris at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. After further tests today including another blood test the MRI scan id now scheduled for tomorrow.
After a cold start (an overnight frost) the day turned out pretty good with long periods of sun. Afternoon temp' peaked at 13c in the afternoon sun.
Day spent in workshop sorting out all the Handykam bits and pieces collected over the last two years, have plenty of spare TV to Cam connectors, chewed Cam cables etc. If of use give me a call.
Despite the overnight frost the flowering shrubs and trees suffered little and looked an absolute picture this afternoon.
Picture 1 - Magnolia Tree in front garden.
" 2 - Camellia shrub in the back garden.
" 3 - Stellata in the back garden.
Another good Spring day but very much on the chilly side. Hard frost forecast tonight so expecting brown tips on the magnolia and Camellia.
Oh dear, what a time waster these live cams are. Did nothing all day, so fascinating watching the Blue Tit building her nest.
Picture showing the Blue Tit fluffing up the moss this afternoon.
Chris - I am lost for words. I was shocked to the rafters when hearing from Amy the news tonight. As I have just said to your Mum, how much more can you take.
(The infection Chris has been fighting has returned and now requires a further scan to ascertain the damage this time before deciding what further action to take).
