My Garden 2023

Tomorrow came and went as I spent Tuesday & Wednesday in bed with sore throat, sneezing and more coughing than usual, did ask on COPD group on Facebook if members had similar symptoms as me cos at first wondered if it was the pollen causing me problems, they seemed to think so offering lots advice. I took paracetamol for the cold and my usual three inhalers. Hope it was a cold etc and hopefully back to see me garden birdies later. 

May 21st:   Swift - 6 first of year here,  Common Gull - 2.
May 22nd:  It's hectic in both front and back gardens with all the juvs getting fed etc. I'd put a shallow dish out for the juvs to bathe in as well as the other three for the adults, watched a juv Starling first off bathing with the two juv Spugs waiting their turn  they must have thought the Starling would never finish, but it flew off and then they kept going from one side to other and dipping their wings in and finally went for it and both had probably their first ever bath, really enjoyed watching their antics. An adult Magpie landed on nut feeder just above the spugs. In front garden spotted the male Blackbird feeding two juvs, I put out an apple and big pear which male enjoyed and so did juvs. Must be upwards of a dozen juv Spuggies there with all getting fed sfh's fb's and whatever they were getting off trees etc.

In back garden the juv Starlings seem to have taken up residence in two of the Hawthorns, must have been upwards of 18 of them all chattering away waiting for parents. Found a nest in Rowan tree it was a Collared Dove saw it on nest, built better than usual. There must be a Wood Pigeon nest in the conifer as three adults keep flying out. The Magpie's usually nest there. 

Enjoying the nice weather but yesterday for first time ever think the pollen caused me problems done nowt but cough etc since, wear a mask tomorrow.

John 

Past week or so been enjoying the Jackdaws hammering away at the fat balls, had three coming at once taking turns, much sooner have them than the feral pigs that have totally spoilt my enjoyment of watching the antics of all the birds bar them, some of them ought to enter the Pigeon Olympics considering how they hang from the feeders that are both squirrel and pigeon proof, rubbish!  I've placed the 14 feeders in the most inaccessible places inside shrubs and awkward places on the bigger trees but the damn things always find a way to hang upside down or flap their wings like a damn whirly gig such a pain in the butt. I keep saying no more feeders are going out then think sod it why should the small birds suffer cos the pigeons are a pain in the you-know- what!

Would love a pair of Sparrowhawk to take residence in garden to wipe out the ferals!! Rant over!

May 3rd: 12 species including a Buzzard over.
May 4th:  11 species with a return of Collared Dove.

John

Today a male GSW in front garden on cherry tree trunk. First sighting in ten years! Well pleased.

Max

Last Saturday spotted two Blue Tit on one of the fat ball feeders, one was feeding the other (hadn't time to get binos) not sure if it was two adults or an adult and juv, they never came back. 
PS: Just read RSPB guide and it says the male feeds female during courtship, thought it was early for juvs.

March 25th: on drawing curtains spotted a Squirrel behind bluebells next to pond eating what I thought was nuts, on closer inspection it was black sunflower seeds which I had placed in a coconut nesting gadget and had lodged in the cherry tree, squirrel obviously knocked it down, got some videos and pics of the blighter, although they are a nuisance it made me laugh cos each time it stuck its head in nest for a seed it then peeped over the bluebells lol. At least it can't wreck it like it has other feeders. Been getting regular visits from a Wren (they rare here) this day had seven species. Goldfinches have returned to find the droll yankee nyger feeder mended.

March 30th: On returning home from birding noticed a load of pigeon feathers (hurray) in back garden so assume Mrs Sparrowhawk popped round for tea, that's one less to annoy me!

John