Hobbies and Crafts

Amanda....my sister had 5 cats and blackbirds nested right outside her bedroom window about 5 - 6ft from the ground, don't think any were got by the cats, its a risk where ever they nest l suppose.

BC....The dogs behaved very well considering, atleast we know we can do it again:o)
The Mastive x called Tan was quite an attraction up at Symonds Yat. He is a handsome dog thats for sure:o)

We also went to Tintern, my friends OH noticed 2 men looking at something on the ground and one man kept kicking his leg out, it was a BAT, it had climbed onto his trousers, when it fell to the floor he sort of kicked it again, poor little thing, friend rescued it and placed it in a tree, but it did'nt stay there! Wonder why he was flying about during the day time??

Been trying to take photo's of the Reed Bunting its in the garden everyday again, or should l say they are(a pr).

Did any one watch The One Show, the new wildlife/photographer man, he went to a feeding station for Red Kites in the Breacons and took some amazing photo's:o)

Bellblair....did you take any photo's?? must check blog email addy!!

Jude :o)

We've got a pair of greenfinches back feeding, a pair of great tits and a pair of Goldfinches, plus the blackbirds who never went away and a pair of dunnocks. We also had an extra female blackbird today which caused a bit of hassle in the garden, the extra one came for a bath and the resident was not impressed!!

Meant to say, last week we had a visit from 2 Long Tailed Tits but not seen them since.

Hi Folks,
Haven't seen a swallow yet - I keep watching.
Got jackdaws nesting in the chimney - starlings in the gable end.
Saw a red kite today - came gliding low over the garden, then made his way back up the mountain.
I heard a long tailed tit in the apple tree this morning, but couldn't see it.
We had four goldfinches yesterday on the feeders - they don't often visit me.
I see the RSPB have rigged up a camera on a pair of nesting choughs at South Stack Anglesey - one egg so far. Also the Osprey's are back at their nest near Porthmadog - guarded 24/7.
That's all for now - hope everyones well.

Tec

Hi everyone,

Long time, no posting by me but hopefully back on track now. Tecwyn, we have swallows aplenty in South Shrops - will nip out tomorrow and have a word to see where yours have got to!!
I never get over the thrill of seeing the first swallows back - we generally spot them first skimming over a pool about three miles down the road.
Added a new species to my list at the weekend - a black redstart. I was so excited!! Really good view. Also saw a red kite being mobbed by a pair of ravens.
Fingers crossed for the choughs, Tecwyn. Hope they manage to rear a brood on the windy South Stack site!!

Dormouse xx

Just a quick "Hello" to Dormouse, good to see you:o))

jude:o)

Hi Jude :))))))

Still busy looking after my Mum, after her hip replacement but she's getting about a bit now - still on two crutches though, so can't carry anything or actually do very much.
I am still finding time to do a bit of bird-watching, though......... must get our priorities right, after all - lol :))

Dormouse xx

Hello Dormouse,
Great to see you back..........
Send me a swallow - make my day. Well done with the black redstart - I've never seen one - swop you for a firecrest?

Best wishes
Tec

Hello Dormouse, good to see you on here again. are you fully recovered now after the scare you gave us all.

Wow, I wouldn't know a black redstart if i saw one, well done.

Ann
Glos

Morning Ann,

I confess I had advanced knowledge of the redstart's presence, so it was just a case of spotting it!!
Healthwise, I'm getting there now. Blood clots are pretty much dispersed now and I can walk upstairs without getting breathless - yahoo!! Oh, it's the little things in life that give us most pleasure, lol.

DM x

Edit to Tecwyn - oh, a firecrest would be a lovely addition to my list. I'm ever hopeful of spotting one. Such busy little birds though - never stay still long enough to be seen!

Goodmorning everyone:o)

Dormouse....sorry l had gone before your reply last night. You must take care though, you're still not 100% by the sounds of it!!
l'll swap you all for your firecrests, redstarts and choughs for my woodpigeons:o))) lol bless em:o)

Hope that Bat got himself sorted!!

jude

So pleased that you are feeling better Dormouse, hope your progress continues.

Ann
Glos

Hi Everyone,
Hope that you all had a good week-end, I have had a great one daughter has informed us that we are to be grandparents in December 1st grandchild.
Now the Birds front, Swallows have arrived, so have the Hares, Yellowhammers are coming in for food but not many others , This morning I watched a Blackbird see of a Staring at the feeding table. I have seen a few Red Squirrels around the place very unsusual is that.
Jude sorry not a single pic at the moment, will try and get some over the next few days.

Hi all:o)

Bellblair...tut tut...lol
Would love some of the Hare, perhaps abit closer this time (well l can ask can't l??....lol)

Mainly W/Pigeons, blackbirds, a few sparrows,and a robin here at the moment....as Ann says the rest are likey to be getting the insects for their young.

jude

I saw 3 Buzzard's today. I heard them first making their what I call "whistle" sound...and then they appeared right high above me...........loverly to see.

Hello everyone.

I spotted a Swallow today flitting over the allotments.......Summer can't be far off.

The Blackbirds that where building a nest in my Bay tree have gone elsewhere. My young cat got into the tree yesterday and it's frightened them off . I hope they find a safer place to nest.

Amanda

Hi Folks,
At last....................I saw two swallows this morning!

Now I'm a happy bunny (doesn't take much)

So all is right with the world!

Tec

Hurray - well done Tec. There's certainly plently of flies about so no excuse for the swallows not to be here now!

Hi all:o)
(edited).....The above was deleted by me.....doww
Well done Amanda and Tec, great sight are'nt they??......but l have'nt seen any yet, its Vic that saw them on his walks...perhaps l should start walking more!!
We have spent best part of the day at Monmouth Country Fayre today, brilliant, quite a few art/craft stalls and loads of Birds of Prey tents...:o))) some great displays aswell:o)) one bird called Maggie likes to take off and disappear!! can't remember what breed of bird l think an eagle or a Saker something, they were alot more that l had'nt heard of before.

There was also display work with a labrador dog and bird of prey, where the bird flushed the rabbit or whatever out from the undergrowth and the dog catches it....very clever.

One of the things l did'nt like was the DEER SKINS and large hunting knives on display!!

jude :o)

I haven't seen any more Swallows since the other days sighting but yesterday I was treated to a heartwarming and beautiful sight.

There is a garden centre in my area , it's a busy one , always full of folk , it has various outside parts and gifts / household stuff inside.
As we emerged from the main inside area we noticed a " new" patio display , complete with garden furniture , water feature , bird table and big pots in plants. Perched on the back of one of the chairs , not more than 10 foot away was a splendid little Robin , he was so still that at first I took him for a fake Robin but then he tilted his head , he was listening to the various chirrups and chirps that where coming from all directions. I looked around the patio and spotted ( to my delight ) two fat babies ( one in a pot the other sitting in full view on the arm of the bench ). As we stood watching the scene along came Mum Robin ( food in beak ) to feed the fat dumplings . We spotted another two babies a bit further away .
I wonder are Robin chicks usually fledged this early ? These ones where already looking about a bit for food themselves.
It was so lovely to see nature at work , even in the very heart of a business premises .

Amanda