Hobbies and Crafts

Very few birds around here lately apart from the scavenging gulls.

A lone crow has taken to sitting on the same part of a neighbour's fence and collared doves were scrambling through a nearby tree, while the female tried to retreat from the male's amorous advances.

Everything else must be sheltering from the awful weather.

Hi Gwyn We seem to get more birds when the weather is bad. Especially when there is snow. Today we have had 6 gold finches all trying to feed at once on the Niger seeds, two male and one female blackbirds ground feeding on mealy worms and bread soaked in dripping fat plus sultanas, starlings also ground feeding and also eating the fat balls, blue tits eating the no mess seeds together with sparrows and great tits. a Magpie that sneaks in to get mealy worms and a few collard doves and wood pigeons. We also had a quick glimpse of a pied wagtail as it checked out the garden for food.

The sun is out here now so the snow should be melting but the outside temp is only 2 degrees so there is not much movement. Looks like it will be -7 degrees tonight :-( :-(

Normal birds today but eating a lot, as fast as I put mealy worms out they are gobbled up by three blackbirds. These are 3 males, one a lot larger than the other two and it is a real bully, he chases them away from the food. However they are very persistent and just creep round behind him. We have also had a male Black cap, quite a large bird with a lovely jet black head.

Big greedy Blackbird here today on the window feeder and a Bully .Sounds like your one Ann. We had a few feeding frenzies with lots of squabbling . All just trying to get to the feeder first :-D. There is plenty of food for all they just need to take their turn :-D. They all seem to queue up on the tree branches . Just like us British.We are the best at queuing in the world :-D :-D

Ann I had a laugh at your suggestion a couple of days ago that perhaps our birds wanted their food hung where the previous owners had fed them. You didn’t know the previous owners! Not only was this a bird free zone, it was also devoid of any plants - they didn’t believe in gardening. We inherited a scrubby bit of grass and an old shed. At our age we didn’t want to wait forever for things to grow so we put in some mature plants. We only have two trees (the garden is small) but the lowest branches of the canopy are between 6’ and 7’ from ground level.

At the moment we seem to be getting mostly sparrows but they are emptying the seed feeders as soon as I fill them. At this rate they are going to bankrupt me ;-)

I hope Kandj is enjoying having her hubby home but is managing to get some rest herself. With luck she is still mouse free.

Vera, maybe if the sparrows keep feeding other birds will join them.
We seem to have a lot around at the moment and this morning it was lovely to have a visit from a song thrush. We rarely see those and it didn't stay long but at least it visited.

Hoping Kandj and her OH are both OK and enjoying him being at home. Kandj don't forget to take care of you.

Jane, the worst for squabbling here are the starlings. they spend more time pushing each other off the fat balls than eating them.

I haven't left the country or won the lottery and disappeared, but I am busier than ever caring for my lovely husband as he is so very weary after all that has been thrown at him this past month. Thank you all for your ongoing prayers and kind words. He has been home a week and it has seemed a very long week, but we are working hard together aiming to get him well enough to enjoy Christmas when our family are here.

I am sure life is tiring for you both at the moment Kandj. Just a case of baby steps, lots of rest and nourishing meals. I know it is hard but you must rest too. We are all thinking of you and hoping that you and the family will have a comfortable and peaceful Christmas together. <3 <3

It will be a special Christmas Kandj with all the family together after such a very difficult and awful last month or so. <3

My sister who lives in Tewkesbury has had no water for the last couple of days . Relying on water stations and getting free bottled water from the supermarket. The leak from The HAM (Ann you might know) has been found (I think).She is hoping all will be restored sometime today.. This leak has affected a huge area.
The last time they were without water was back in 2007 when they had the big flood and they were without water then for 3 weeks. They came here (2 hours away) for a bath ,get the laundry washed and to fill their car with bottled water that I had bought from several supermarkets !

Our heating is back on after almost 9 days of waiting for a British Gas Engineer to call.So all nice and toastie once again :-D.. The Robins and the Blackbirds seem to be the greediest birds at the moment on the feeder. The Tits and Chaffinch just have to wait their turn patiently on the tree branches :-)

I think water has just been supplied again in some areas Jane. Not sure where exactly the leak was/is but they said it was difficult because it is a large pipe in the middle of a field.

Have you all applied for your garden bird watch pack from RSPB yet. I applied yesterday ready for January. Greedy devils cleaned out the feeders so I had to do a bird food shop earlier :-D. Our little Jenny wren has returned I have not seen her for ages

We have a little Jenny Wren who seems to love our window box .I havent seen her though so much since we had all the snow.

Ann, my Sister said water came back on about 10pm last night but then went off again. Today it seems to be all back to normal :-D Part of the problem of finding the leak was because it was not just under the field but under a deep covering of snow too They had drones and helicopters trying to find it !!

Miserable day here today and not the normal number of birds on the window feeder. OH has just we need more bird food before Christmas !!! I bought plenty of cat food today but didnt think about the birds. Another job for tomorrow .

LG No not ordered the bird pack, forgot!!

Jane yes all water is back on they say. £30 compensation I believe for X number of hours. Didn't listen so don't know how many hours. I don't remember if we got any compensation in 2007 I don't think we did, maybe because it was not in force then.

My OH came in from filling the bird feeders to tell me 'that is the last of the general feed stuff' and couldn't understand why I was cross. Why didn'y he say a few days ago when we were in the garden centre and I asked him if we needed bird food???

Ann I dont recall my sister saying they had compensation back in 2007 .I must ring her and say about the £30 but I expect she is probably aware of that.

Well I did my shopping today and came home without the bird food :-S :-S. I must remember tomorrow . They have plenty for now to keep them going.

I can't remember either but if we did it would have come off the bill so we may not have noticed. It will come off the bill this time too.

Just popping in to say it is two weeks since hubby came home from his month long stay in hospital. He is making a slow but steady improvement from pneumonia, heart attack and the dreaded MRSA bug which he really could have done without.

The Physio has suggested he go on to standing up exercises as opposed to the bed/chair one previously and he is trying his best but is exhausted afterwards.

I left him with company this morning whilst I dashed off to join my in-laws at the Crematorium for his brothers funeral service. He really isn't well enough to be there but I went along to represent the two of us today. This is the 3rd death in just 10 months for hubbies side of the family and we all are hoping for a better 2018.

We have our family travelling to be with us on Sunday until Wednesday and we are all soooo looking forward to being together to relax and unwind after a lot of stress.

Happy Christmas Wishes and Good Health and Happiness to you all.. THANK YOU
for ongoing support these past weeks, it really has helped such a lot. xxx

Kandj, little baby steps for your OH at first, maybe just standing up for a few minutes as if he has always been sitting or laying down he will feel giddy/disorientated standing. As he builds his strength back up mentally and physically, hopefully he will be able to do more. Is he eating ok? Small meals I expect as he is not using much energy to build up an appetite.

And you, I hope you are eating what you fancy. Sad to have had so many deaths in the year, I guess it is the age of the family that is the reason.

I hope that you are able to enjoy your family Christmas Kandj, nice food (hopefully not all cooked by you), talking about memories of former Christmases and lots of laughs and plenty of rest. And here's wishing you and yours a healthier, peaceful and contented 2018 <3 <3 <3

It has been a dreadful year for you and Hubby Kandj and a sad day today with having his Brothers funeral to attend. There was no way he was going to be able to go which must have been very upsetting .But Hubbys health comes first at the moment .
To have all the family with you over Christmas will be wonderful.I bet you couldnt imagine this just a few weeks ago <3

Such a dark day here today and the shortest day . I havent seen too many birds either.
Our Christmas tree is in the window right in front of the window feeder so I keep having to go out to see if it needs refilling.
My son is just on his way with his girlfriend and her little Chihuahua for Xmas. Thomas is not going to be at all impressed with this invasion (the dog) . He will have a week of being pestered by this little creature .I can see the Summerhouse being Thomas's refuge.

Jane, enjoy your Christmas with your family, I do read Mel's thread sometimes so catch up with your news when you don't post on here. :-) :-)

I am sure that Thomas will 'see off' the little dog which is not going to be a lot different in size to him. They can be yappy little dogs so hope he doesn't yap too much over Christmas. Have a lovely time anyway.

Kandj, it has been such a difficult year for you that it can only get better. Just take one day at a time. Your hubby sounds a real tryer, bless him, and I am sure you will both enjoy having your family around over the next few days. Let them take care of you a little as well. Here’s wishing you better days to come in 2018.

The birds, mostly sparrows, are eating me out of house and home at the moment. I have to try to buy some more peanuts tomorrow as I have put the last few out.

Going to be busy now with visitors for a few days so I’ll take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a healthy, happy and contented 2018 <3