Hobbies and Crafts

Ok thanks Jane:o)

jude

When I went down the garden to feed the ducks today a pair of swans appeared. Haven't seen any for a bit. They looked like a younger pair than the ones we usually see. In the usual pair the cob swan is huge and a bit feisty.

Because we hadn't seen any for a while I bought some special duck and swan food in the hope it would bring them back. The two that came today certainly appreciated it. It stays afloat so any that flows past them will stay afloat for others down river. They're supposed to take a while to get used to it but I thought they would already be used to it as there's a house on the A4 where the river goes under the road where the lady always has food out for them and there's usually a congregation of ducks and swans there. There's nearly always people with children looking over the wall of the bridge too.

I want to correct the post by Jude, I did say that the blackbirds with bright yellow beaks at this time of year are foreigners. Unfortunately I did not explain myself properly. Our own blackbird males ar smaller than the foreign ones, and their beaks do not usually become bright until the mating season. I got this from an ornithologist, which I do not pretend to be. Sorry, Jude!

Thanks Jean, I must admit I was a bit puzzled by that. I had not realised we had any foreign blackbirds, I assume they are like the starlings and go home with the warmer weather. I was aware that some of the males we have had around are a lot bigger than others.

Ohhh l see, thanks Jean. Apology excepted :o)) ...lol

Our squirrel was about 6ft from the patio doors earlier feeding off the wall, little tinker, fortunately the dog did'nt see him, but he ran off as l was taking a photo.
Did anyone watch Yolo (sp) Williams prgramme the other evening, l think it would have been on Welsh BBC 2. It was a catch up over the last 15 yrs of programmes he has done and seeing how the situation is now, brilliant!! well worth watching, perhaps it can be seen on BBCi ?

Madoc is doing well, he should be rid of the bucket collar anyday now. He only wears it at night time!!

Its pretty chilly here, quite a few birds about, especially chaffinch, c/doves, pigeons and blackbirds.

Jane....how are the moorhens. Will check the email addy for any photo's....pc is working better now so it won't be such hard work!!

DizzieLizzie....great to have the swans there:o))

Tec...hope all is well where you are!!?
Have a loverly day everyone

jude:o)

Morning Jude.The Moorhens are still here.They are so funny to watch on the top of the hedge and when they start to walk down the side of it hanging on with those great feet.
I have sent a photo of the baby ones that I mentioned.

Thanks Jane....got them:o)) about to put them on blog....how cute:o)

jude

Can someone send me my bird blog, it was on my favs and thats gone:o((

jude

Sent Jude, in fact I think it may even have been sent twice Lol!!!!!

Thanks Ann....got it twice:o))

Photo's are on blog.....gawd what a pularva(sp) that was...lol

Really cute photo's though:o)

jude

Great photos Jane, Dizzie and Jude.

Thanks Jude for putting my little babies up with the big feet lol.There were in fact 3 chicks but one was hidden under the others,and it was very weak.
I have decided to keep my camera on my bedroom window sill.This morning there was a Buzzard probably no more than 20/30 foot away trying to grab a crow in the air.I have to say I pulled the curtain quickly as I didn't want to witness a killing !!.I have seen it close like that before so fingers crossed I MAY get a photo through my dirty window lol

Kind of fittin' they're in a big shoebox Jane with their feet.

Glad Madoc's doing well. Mind you maybe the bucket's keeping the chill off his ears when he goes out at the moment. Pretty cold again and we had snow falling for quite a bit of the day yesterday though thank goodness it didn't settle. The patio was icy though when I went out to top up feeders. Reckon I could have entered for dancing on ice. Hope none of the neighbours were looking out their windows. lol.

I look a right sight when I go down the garden to fill the feeder and put seeds out.Especially when I am in my nightie with big coat on and bare legs (unshaved )lol sticking out the bottom with those backless rubber garden shoes on.I look like a real sad specimen .But I don't care ,no-one can see me.

I had to go into town as I had a 4.45 hospital check up appointment today. As usual I was late going in and was cursing but I was glad I was late as The cheering thing was, when we came out we saw the most amazing aerial display by hundreds of starlings and watched as they made shapes in the sky while little groups rushed to join up with them until all of a sudden they went into a long funnel shape and all whooshed down to roost in three large fir trees, this in the centre of Gloucester. The sky was going dark but theyw ere highlighted against the setting sun. A beautiful site and we stood entranced watching them.

I'd love to see a real life big starling swarm Ann, I saw a small one at Slimbridge once (of course I was impressed lol) but I must find out where my nearest flocks gather.

We were surprised it was so big as it was over the town. I think the Slimbridge one is quite large now but the biggest in this general area is on the Somerset Levels.

Morning:o)

l've seen the old Brighton Pier one, but that was some yrs ago, and now that the pier has either gone or very nearly l'm not sure they fly over there now. Vic used to see them all gather in one of the cemetary's in Hove and then fly off on mass to the pier....amazing sight.

Ann----you were very lucky:o) did you know they did this in Gloucester?

Our birds are all in abit of a quandry this morning, a property out the back has been sold and the treefellers are in cutting down and shredding, so much noise.They keep flying in and start to feed then the noise starts up again and off they fly:o(((

We think developers will be on the site soon rebuilding:o(((( fortunately it should'nt effect us but it will the dear old lady along the road and possibly her neighbour:o(

The dog next door was scratching the fence this mornng so Madoc scratched from this side, l lent over and gave him a good old stroke:o))

Have a good day everyone:o) its not so cold here!!

jude

Cold here because we have no central heating it went off yesterday evening and the house is losing heat now.

No we didn't know they collected over Gloucester. What was funny was watching the main group as it swooped and changed shape and then watching groups of about half a dozen flying fast across to join up, I kept expecting a shout saying 'you're late'. I said to T how do they know when all their lot are there, is one of them doing a head count?