Each year I am visited by flocks of forty or more small birds who join the ‘locals’ at the bird feeders. This year it has been sparrows. I have enjoyed their noisy twittering as they waited patiently in the shrubs by the feeders. They were not deterred by storms Darragh and Eowyn – even though I was. They did not miss one feed. I was very surprised therefore, to discover that on the first, still, dry day this month they did not make an appearance. They returned the next day as did the strong winds but they are now much reduced in numbers. It is as if my garden was a source of food and shelter during the very bad weather. I would love to know where they have gone and am assuming that while my garden is suitable for shelter and food it is not suitable for nesting.
I have often noticed that birds feed happily with other species and tend to squabble at the feeder with their own kind only. The robins and goldfinches are notorious for this. It seems to be such a waste of energy when there is enough for all.
I have spent the last twelve years or so trying to create a garden on this exposed hillside. I have had little time and absolutely no skills for refinements. Luckily, I now have someone who can start to add finishing touches for me. This little area is at the highest point of the garden but this year has been very slippery. A few staggered steps have made all the difference.
The new steps and seat against the backdrop. In summer these small hills are covered in heather and, in winter, gorse. I am looking forward to using it.
Eucalyptus trees do very well in this garden although the occasional one gets blown down in a storm. They always revive when I cut them back and make very attractive bushes. I think this is Eucalyptus pauciflora or Snow Gum (I have lost the label). It is particularly attractive and survived the recent storms without too much bother.
The foxes do visit my garden proper at night to the frustration of the dogs. During the day they keep their distance in the neighbouring fields which is even more frustrating as they are usually clearly visible but unattainable. In all the time I have been here the foxes have appeared healthy with thick, disease-free coats and they never seem to lack food. Long may that last.
The view from my new seat which allows me to sit and watch the foxes in my neighbour’s fields. The eucalyptus on the right was blown down during storm Darwin. Almost all of its roots are above ground but it is thriving and gets a trim every two years or so to keep it small and bushy.
There are very different types of lichen and fungi throughout the garden and I presume that they are responding to the different conditions in each area. The stand of large trees by the house have a salmon-pink tinge not seen anywhere else which is the perfect contrast to the grey green lichen.
I obviously put a bit of time and effort into Horsefly Heaven before I was bitten to an inch of my life. This Grevillea started to flower before Storm Eowyn but is taking a rest at the moment.
The last remnants of a Grevillea flower. I have a particular soft spot for these plants as they flower for many months and thrive in my garden in at least four different places. I am hoping to add to them this year.
The Rosemary like leaves of the Grevillea. At some stage the plant was blown over but it seems perfectly happy in its new position getting some shelter from a nearby ash tree.
Camellia Debbie in full bloom.
This Hamamelis x intermedia (Witch Hazel) has been struggling to flower for some weeks, but maybe it was for the best. When it has not been very stormy it has been very cold. I am hoping that these new flowers are a good sign. I thought that I had managed to find a reasonably sheltered spot for this and the Hamamelis Intermedia Diana which was planted about fifteen away. Sadly, I think that it has died.
Almost all of my hellebores are carefully placed in shady corners by dry stone walls and hidden from potential browsers. This means that to get a photograph I have to crawl into the back of the shrubberies – fighting sharp branches and the occasional blackberry thorns as I go. To add to the indignity once reached the flowers are usually firmly facing the ground so a good photograph requires me to lie flat on the freezing ground. Why do I do it?