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The Birds
Despite, or maybe because of, the bad winter my garden has been full of birds all winter. This year I have a large flock of House Sparrows and an abundance of long tailed tits and green fiches as well as the usual motley crew. My resident flock of Goldfinches numbers about nine but last year…
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From Ice to Isha
The evening sun on the neighbouring hillside. A regular occurrence during the cold spell, although I was often hunkered down in the warmth of the house and missed it on more than one occasion. Hunkering down is becoming a habit and is just as useful for storms as freezing temperatures. Storm Isha is no exception.…
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Shooting Oneself in the Foot
Guess how many sparrows are perching in this hawthorn tree? Trying to count them I think that I may have shot myself in the foot. Every year I try to improve the conditions for the birds here in the garden and this year has been no exception. The best area is now enclosed on three…
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A Festive Frog
Colourful Cotoneastor providing a festive backdrop despite the hard winter. Ferdinand the frog is continuing to develop a nice patina of lichen despite his smooth surface. Over the last week or so I have been practicing for the Survey for the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. I did not expect to have much to…
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Hints of Summer
At this time of the year much of the garden looks very dull and this year it is also waterlogged with the appropriate squelching sounds to compliment the scene. One has to admire the plants that continue to pretend that it is high Summer, like this Lavatera. New flowers are appearing all the time and…
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Winter Treasures
It is time to feed the birds again and I am trying to work out how I can get an accurate count of their numbers. I have four bird feeding stations and am joined each morning by one or two robins as I move from station to station. However, as the feeders are quite far…
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Colour – In Spite of Everything
Regardless of the weather there is one truly sheltered spot in my garden – behind a shed. The only acer that is truly thriving resides there, where I placed it on a temporary basis when I moved into the property, but it is now there to stay. My less successful attempts have led to some…
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Four-Legged Garden Pests
The yearly cycle continues as various small animals try to set up winter homes in my raised beds providing endless entertainment and exercise for my dogs. They don’t ever catch anything as the creatures are ‘savvy’ enough to pack their bags and move to safer headquarters. I used to try and stop the dogs but…
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From Paradise to Paradise
Three to four times a year I have a visit from pair of bullfinches who come to feast on the berries of the spindle trees and the seeds of the Sow thistle. It is possible that they may visit more often, but I tend to see them when they are by the house where there…
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After Agnes
Gardening can be a strenuous occupation. Storm Agnes, like most other storms, provided me with an extra workout as I rushed around the garden removing anything that might cause damage and moving pots to safer parts of the garden. Each time I swear that I will give up using plastic pots. However, mine are over…