Tuesday 28th February 2017

Stunning morning, mild and sunny. Different matter this afternoon, cold and wet.
This morning shred all the dead wood from the hydrangea shrubs I pruned over the weekend.
              Still no sign of frogs or frog spawn, plenty about around the country however.
Spike out again last night, put some hog food out for him tonight. A mouse has taken residence under a hedgehog home, spotted it this morning darting about around the bird feeder.
Wildlife books arrived today, pleased with them but also annoyed at a stupid mistake. Not sure what to do, may well reprint ad will annoy me for ever.
Need to improve on my close up photography as the moths and dragonflies not that crisp. I rush thinking the subject may fly off.

Monday 27th February 2017

Mild but dull and overcast most of the day. Showers this afternoon into the evening.
Waggy has returned, brilliant. Just need to see the great spotted now then all is good in garden bird world.
Trail camera picked out a hedgehog last night so that is good news but may regret getting up so early as another cold spell is forecast?
This morning I sorted out my bird food store as a rat has breached my security! Has chewed a hole in the store framework. Food now in dustbins, bought four bins for this purpose.
               Attending a Whitley Travels meeting this afternoon to agree the final arrangements for the first trip of the season, a trip at Easter to Marwell Zoo. A nostalgic trip for me as displayed there back in my toy business days with the TV program Play School and Rupert the Bear. Many memories of that day.
               My garden wildlife books have now been dispatched so should receive this week now, exciting.

Sunday 26th February 2017

Another mild but overcast day.
Day spent in the garden again, today pruning the buddleia shrubs. The trimmings I replanted to create a buddleia hedge.
Said it before but the alpine house is looking real good. Great result, well worth creating.
             Still no sign of frogs, so surprised. Can't make it anymore pond friendly, amazing actually when you think of the large numbers we did have.

Saturday 25th February 2017

Mild, dull and overcast all day with rain late afternoon into the evening.
Spent day in the garden dead heading the hydrangea shrubs. The four shrubs now showing off their spring buds to perfection.
          Good to see a pair of Jays busy today, not seen the woodpeckers for a while. These two species of birds I find rather special.
Waggy still elusive, disappointing as was hoping for baby waggies this year.
Having a rest in the garden this afternoon and a field mouse appeared in front of me. Kept me entertained for an hour.

Friday 24th February 2017

Beautiful today, such a contrast from yesterday. Today chilly with sun most of the day.
Strangely, hardly any birds about today. Did not have to refill the feeders, perhaps Storm Doris blew them all away to another County?
            Met John and Hilly lunchtime at the Cunning Man where we stayed until 4pm. So much to catch up on, good to talk. Have always enjoyed visiting the Cunning Man but oh dear a problem today. It would have been easier to tell us what food they did have. Crazy situation.
If weather decent this weekend I may spend a few hours in the garden, have rested long enough now!
Geraniums need dead heading, nice easy job.

Thursday 23rd February 2017

Mild and sunny day but by jove what some strong wind. Storm Doris reached us today, loads of damage around us but thankfully no damage here.
Double checked the wildlife books today and both ordered. Expensive these books but do look good and of course a good record of what is seen and recorded in the garden each year.
              Snowdrops beginning to show in mass now, worth the investment over the years. Some good double ones out today.
Said it yesterday but the alpine house does look colourful, a good project that.
               Birds struggled today coping with the wind, mostly ground feeding today. More chaffinches about today but still no sign of the wagtail.

Wednesday 22nd February 2017

Mild and mostly sunny all day.
Spring bulbs again looking pretty colourful as is the alpine house.
Behaving myself after being told to rest for a few days after the lung biopsies.
A good chance to work on the wildlife books. Virtually finished them today but will double check tomorrow before ordering. Do not want mistakes this time.
              Trail camera picked out the fox last night but nothing else other than cats. Not seen the pied wagtail for a few days, not sure why? All other birds I would expect busy feeding today. The male sparrowhawk appeared for a while but left empty handed.