After all the heavy rain, there have been some lovely days of winter sunshine recently, so I've been able to get outside again and do a bit of gardening at last. Everywhere is still waterlogged of course, which is fine for the geese and ducks, but not so fine for the other animals and for me, because I'm wading to and from the animal houses through lots of little pools and a horrible thick, glutinous mud. Last summer's dry grass and dusty tracks seem such a long time ago now.
One the best things about being outside at the moment is watching and hearing the birds. They've definitely become livelier; they're singing more and they're even starting to pair up. The male blackbird (above) has been raiding the crab apple tree in what has looked like teamwork with a female - so I'm sure that these two will form one of this year's breeding pairs.
I'm seeing the robins feeding together, too - and in the blue tit box (with camera) that my parents have in their garden, the blue tits are starting to build a nest. They're great fun to watch, because soon after one bird brings material in, the other bird arrives and takes it all out again. Obviously its mate has just got it all wrong!
I've also been really surprised to see a pair of egrets in the field by the beehives. I've only ever seen these birds on the coast, but here they are inland (although it's not easy to get close to them to take a pic...)
On the smallholding, the geese are starting to breed and so Cador, the younger gander, is now seeing off everything that comes dangerously close to his females. Sheep: Be Warned!!
The winter visitors are still here and will be around for a while yet. This Fieldfare has been waiting hopefully under the fruit trees...
The honeybees have been flying too, on these mild days. Honeybees are hygienic little creatures and they'll be making cleansing flights from the hives. I've had a sneaky peak in the hives and all is well so far this winter. Many beekeepers will open their hives briefly at this time of year to add Oxalic Acid. It's lethal stuff when it comes into contact with human skin but it can be used in the hives when there is little brood (i.e. when the queen isn't laying) to control the varroa mite (a parasitic mite that attacks honeybees). At the end of January, I'll be adding some homemade winter candy to the hives as extra food, because by March, colonies that haven't got enough winter stores can starve (they will have used up all the stores they do have). This was a particular problem last year because of the long, cold spring.
The bees will do some foraging at this time year on warm days. There isn't much in bloom for them at the moment, but there is Viburnum and Mahonia...
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| Mahonia |
Bees also like Snowdrops. After having a good hunt around, I've found some of these out already...
So no real signs of spring here yet, but there is a sense that winter is passing...
I agree things are stirring. Our garden birds are courting and their voices are different too. Brilliant about the Blue Tits removing the nest building material- we had the same thing here last year with Mrs Pigeon getting irate when her husband tried to rearrange and add to the nest, it was lovely to watch! And I absolutely love the description of honeybees as hygienic and taking cleansing flights- it sounds so charming. Poor old sheep with the gander tho- I remember well how vicious our ganders were. You couldn't go in their pen without a stick and my sister still has a scar on her lip from a peck when she was little!
ReplyDeleteCador is lovely really - he just gets a bit protective of the females, but he would never go for me at all. My other gander, George, is very gentle and just plods along behind the rest. He's always several paces behind.
DeleteI love the story of your Pigeons and the nest. I think it's great that birds have their own home-making disputes and of course they're not polite about it!
Its lovely to take the time & watch the wildlife. You certainly have plenty of it there.
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely isn't it? And being surrounded by wildlife just makes gardening for me - and of course planting for bees and other pollinators.
DeleteThe expression on that sheep's face is an absolute cracker! Pick of the bunch for me though is that blackbird - what a beauty of a shot! I'm guessing that the fruit and berries won't be so plentiful next autumn if this winter doesn't get on with being properly cold soon - we don't really seem to have got beyond Autumn yet, do we!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't really thought about the impact of this mild winter on next year's fruit and berry crop but I imagine it will have all sorts of consequences for wildlife, won't it? The sheep are always a bit wary of Cador. Sometimes they will try and go for his food but he'll defend that, too!
DeleteLovely post and photos, wish I had room for a few animals and not just the ones that live in the house.!! Hoping for a fine day this weeken to do some gardening, the birds have been in looking for nesting material , going to hang some wool out.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had more animals here but I think we've reached our limit (perhaps with the exception of a couple more chickens).
DeleteI'm always interested in the nesting stuff birds collect. One year we saw through the camera that the blue tits had built a nest that was full of bright pink material. Very vivid!
Things are definitely on the move now already Wendy, I have seen Coots arguing and Great Crested Grebes pairs facing each other and waving their heads about. Nice to get Little Egrets in your location, that was a good sighting.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the Blue Tit nest building or rebuilding, that sounds familiar where do I remember that from.{:))
I love to watch the courtship displays of the Great Crested Grebes so, if they've begun, I must go along and see it.
DeleteYes - I think that the blue tits' disputes over nest building shows that this is common behaviour amongst home makers!
An uplifting and enjoyable post Wendy, it is wonderful to see how things are beginning to stir now that the darkest days of the winter have passed, at least as regard to daylight hours, and even up here I'm starting to see a few Snowdrops & Aconites appear in the garden. However I'm sure winter isn't finished with us yet !!!
ReplyDeletePS. I am super envious that you have Egrets on your patch and the picture of gander and the sheep made me smile :-)
I don't think winter has finished with us yet, either. I can't help feeling there must be some cold weather on the way. But it won't stop the Snowdrops and Aconites - really special sights at this time of year.
DeleteI was just so surprised to see those egrets in the field.
It is beginning to feel as if spring is in the air. However, the weather is so mercurial. I look out of the window to beautiful sunshine and blue skies, and think that I will pop out and do some gardening, and by the time I am ready to go out it is grey again and pouring with rain.
ReplyDeleteI would love a blue tit box with a camera, and enjoyed seeing the photo of Cador giving the poor old sheep his marching orders.
I agree about the weather and I think it's the contrast between light and dark that's most striking at the moment - it's either very wet and dark and grey - or the sun is out and changing everything.
DeleteI've learnt so much about blue tits watching through the camera and of course the most exciting things are the first eggs and then the young appearing.
You are right about no real signs of spring yet but a sense that winter is passing. We spotted the first snowdrops of the year at the end of last week and like you have seen birds pairing up and also saw a couple of wood pigeons building a nest under one of the bridges over the canal. We've seen fieldfares passing over in large groups but none have landed in the garden so it was lovely to see your photo of one and your photo of the male blackbird is wonderful:)
ReplyDeleteThe birds suddenly seem so much noisier - I think it's both the amount of song and the range. I do love to see the Snowdrops, it does feel like winter is loosening its grip.
DeleteWe have lots of fieldfares here, too - they took a while to appear in the autumn but they're making enough noise now!
Wonderful pictures it's lovely to see things are moving. Just hope the sheep get the message. That's such a good picture of the gander and sheep!
ReplyDeleteSarah x
In the summer, when it's hot, the sheep and the geese sometimes laze around in the same shady places. It's all good natured then! But at other times the sheep will just wander towards the geese when they aren't welcome and so Cador will see them off!
DeleteInteresting beehive story, because I do not know much about this. Your pictures are so pretty and also here the blackbirds were singing loudly in the rain today.
ReplyDeleteI think it's amazing that even in winter, when they are semi-dormant, the bees are organising themselves and carrying out different functions. Every bee has its part to play in hive life.
DeleteI love the blackbird's song. It is one of my favourite bird songs.
Beautiful photos, and how lovely to see bees out and about. I wonder if Christmas Box has any food for them, it's something I'm thinking of growing.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested in finding out whether Christmas Box is a good bee plant too. If you do grow it, I'd love to hear if the bees are attracted to it. I think they should be.
DeleteI saw a bumblebee in the garden the other day as well. So the mild weather is tempting them all out.
Great picture of Cador, and the sheep standing its ground! I hope the gander wars are not too fierce.
ReplyDeleteThe sheep don't like to give way - but then neither does Cador! He is definitely the dominant gander here now, I think George and the females have just all accepted that. At least he's good for seeing off the fox (in daylight) and we do have at least three of these around the smallholding at the moment.
DeleteYour photographs are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Freda
DeleteThe colours in your photos cheer up a dull January morning here. Just a thought - if you do decide on a few more chickens - we have just had a very good experience collecting ex-battery chickens from the British Hen Welfare Trust, an excellent charity operation. And they have collection points all round the country.
ReplyDeleteThat is useful to know, thanks Ian. I had heard of organisations caring for ex-bats, but It's really good to have a recommendation. It is something I would seriously consider, too - I love the idea of giving a chicken a decent life after such an appalling start.
DeleteWhat a lovely post, you photo of the blackbird is fantastic! How amazing for you to have the egret on your field, we have them here on the local rivers by the coast, along with a spoonbill, but I haven't seen them inland. Our local woodpeckers have been drumming on our trees for a while now, so they definitely think spring is on its way.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't noticed the woodpeckers, but I will listen for them now! I had no idea egrets came so far inland, and I can't imagine that they'll nest here, but they could surprise me again! I've never seen a spoonbill - I'd love to see one.
DeleteA very uplifting post because it proves , yes , proves, that Spring is on the way !!Love your photos and I'm sure they represent hours of patient waiting.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed much more bird song over the last 10 days or so and particularly from the robins. I also thought I heard a skylark yesterday, but that could have just been a fantasy in my head only !
I am sowing my first seeds today, so my spring has officially started !
Sowing seeds means the new gardening year - so I think that counts as spring! I always hear the first skylarks in February here, so with a mild winter I don't see why they wouldn't be singing earlier.
DeleteI'm not a very patient photographer, I'm afraid, so I tend to spend a few minutes on each pic. Even if I was lucky enough to have the talent, I could never make a professional wildlife photographer!
Lovely post Wendy - yes, slowly but surely spring is on its way - the birds are definitely more active around the feeding station - lots of squabbling going on. Your blackbird photo is stunning - I wish I could capture them like you do.
ReplyDeleteI think the behaviour of the birds is the first real sign that spring is coming. It does make me realise how quiet it's been over winter, now they're all so active and noisy again.
DeleteThe lovely blackbirds didn't even to seem notice me, they were just flying backwards and forewards totally absorbed in those crab apples!
What fabulous pictures Wendy - all of them although I do particularly love that first one of the Blackbird. Nothing is stirring here yet but I'm now accustomed to sighing over others' gardens at almost every point in the year. Not a bud or bulb to be seen here other than on the kitchen window sill. Thanks for cheering me up this morning with your glorious shots. We've had no land line now for nearly two weeks and I'm feeling the strain.....
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your land line problems, Em. I'm not surprised it's getting you down, especially if you're not getting much response from the phone company. This sort of thing is so frustrating.
DeleteMost of my bulbs are still not showing here, either. I suspect some of them have been eaten!
What a lovely post and some great photos :) I'm glad to hear your bees are ok and its wonderful to see snowdrops :)
ReplyDeleteWe have a pair of robins here too feeding quite amicably together. I've noticed with our nest box camera in past years that the blue tits are constantly taking nesting material in and out. They seem to do this for weeks until they suddenly decide to make the proper nest.
The robins have really started to pair up, haven't they? I love the way the blue tits fuss over their nests. I imagine if it does suddenly get cold i.e. if we do have a period of cold weather, they'll pause for a while. I hope they don't start nesting properly only to be knocked back by cold weather.
DeleteGreat photos Wendy. You can't beat watching the wildlife :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie. I'm always fascinated by wildlife!
DeleteThat first pic almost took my breath away, how gorgeous is that, especially on such a grey drizzly day here!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have some ducks and geese....and sheep...and CHICKENS!!! Although I get the mud thing, it's just the same at the rescue and it does get old after a few months.
Oh wow...EGRETS you say???? amazing!!! I do agree that the wildlife thinks spring has arrived. What a fabulous post, I did enjoy it.xxx
We have a sea of mud around the animal houses at the moment, but it is amazing how it recovers and becomes grass again. It was the same last spring. But the poor chickens hate it!
DeleteI suppose the wildlife is responding to the slightly longer daylight hours. I'm noticing the change a bit (on sunny days), but the birds will be very aware of it. I know I should be used to it by now, but I'm always amazed by the annual cycle of nature.
A beautiful post Wendy-I just love hearing about your garden and animals. That's a fantastic picture of the blackbird. The egrets legs are just like the twigs around it-but that's the only camouflage. Interesting to hear about your bees too.
ReplyDeleteI think the egret looks very strange up in the trees. I'm used to seeing them on the shoreline, so they don't look as though they belong there at all. And I agree, they certainly don't blend in with their surroundings, they really stand out amongst the bare branches.
DeleteI'm so relieved about the bees, although the most 'dangerous' time is still to come.
Hello Wendy!! I really enjoyed your bird photos - there is such a wonderful variety of birds where you live and the egret is especially beautiful! I have been out on sunny days pulling weeds but there really isn't a lot to do right now. All of my daffodils are coming up and I am so excited! I wish your bee hive a lot of luck this year - they are so important to our environment.
ReplyDeleteThe daffodils are coming up here too. I'm hoping that, with the mild winter we're having, they'll be flowering earlier this spring.
DeleteIt would be wonderful if all bees did well this year. They started to recover last summer (after the terrible year previous to that) - so another good year will really give them a boost.
Fabulous coincidence - I saw an egret while out walking with my daughter last week. I was so unsure I had to look it up. Very beautiful and elegant bird. Love the blackbird photo too. Somehow I really haven't cracked bird photos even though I have got better at plant photography. Yours are always so clear and close!
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting that you've seen an egret recently, too. I believe they're becoming more common. I've certainly seen more on the coasts over the past few years. I agree they are beautiful and elegant and such a pure white colour.
DeleteThere are some birds I just can't get. I spent all summer trying to photograph marsh harriers and have got lots of brown blurs!
Hi Wendy, I truly enjoyed reading your post! Everything screams countryside and it must feel so nice to be able to live in a place like that. You pulled up some wonderful photos as well. I love the one of the egret. I am very bird clueless, but I could swear I have seen one like that here in San Diego at the coast. Could that be the case? How exciting that you are a beekeeper! I hope your bees do well this year. We have sunshine here in Southern California this winter with no end and it is very warm already, which seems to be nice, but we are facing a third year of drought in a row and it is very likely that we will get water restrictions. I am really concerned about what will happen to the garden. Oh well... Warm regards,
ReplyDeleteChristina
I think you do get egrets in the US, Christina - although slightly different to the one I saw (which was a little egret). I do envy you your sunshine and warmth, although a drought isn't good news. I hope you don't get one. I live in a dry area of the country here, and some years we have water restrictions after a shorter period than 3 years, although I can't imagine we'll have one this year because we've had so much rain over the winter.
DeleteI enjoyed your post and what fantastic photos. I particularly loved the little egret. I first saw these lovely birds in Cornwall some years ago and now they have spread further and further north. I see them regularly in Suffolk now. I always think they look far too exotic to be part of the English countryside. How clever to get such a good shot of one.
ReplyDeleteHello Chloris. I think I first saw the little egrets in Cornwall, too, right on the shoreline. Then I saw them on the coast here - so I suppose it isn't surprising that you would see often them in Suffolk. It is such good news they are spreading north and doing well. I agree that they look exotic, they do look a bit as though they belong on a lagoon somewhere tropical.
DeleteWinter may be passing for you but it's on full bore here with 7 inches of snow headed our way. 90% of my garden is completely dormant and I keep my feeders stocked with seed to help out the birds. I love the goose yelling at the sheep. Very brave and funny. The sheep looks like he could just care less. :o)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the snow, Tammy. I'm not sure winter has finished with us yet here either, even though it's still quite mild. I have to remind myself it is only January. I suppose any cold weather will knock back everything growing here.
DeleteBut like you, I'll put out lots for the birds.
I found some crocus tips pushing through the earth today. We planted hundreds of bulbs last Fall. I was worried they might rot as it is very wet but at least these have survived. I have been watching the birds flit in and out of the laurel hedge and the scrub at the edge of the forest. I'm glad they have found a home here.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased to hear that these bulbs survived and are coming through. It is exciting seeing the first green shoots and hints of a change of season - even though it happens every year.
DeleteI'll be watching for nests, too - hopefully we'll have plenty here.
Beautiful photos, the light -on the rare occasions when there is sun instead of rain - is so beautiful at this time of year and you have captured it, and the hint of spring, really well. I've not seen any bees out and about here yet, but then one of my mahonias was brutally pruned last year to save it, and the other is still too small to flower, so not much to interest them apart from a few snowdrops and hellebores.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a lot colder over here the weekend so the bees have all disappeared again (although I did see a lone bumblebee out on the mahonia on friday). My hellebores are just starting to flower so that gives them something else in the garden at last and I did see a hint of colour in some of the crocuses, too, which I'm excited about!
DeleteGosh, look at that egret - that's amazing! Glad to hear you've been getting a little sun - we had some today and I'd almost forgotten what it looks like! Spent a good couple of hours out in the garden, but being on clay here it wasn't much fun! Haven't seen any bees yet, but am keeping an eye out. We have lots of snowdrops ready for them!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the sun today, Helen. We had some here, too - quite an event after all the rain! We have clay here as well, and so we have lots of heavy, wet mud everywhere. It's no fun for gardening at the moment. Hope your local bees find the snowdrops!
DeleteLovely post and pictures we are getting some eggs from our geese in the last week . Hopefully our new gander will help produce some little goslings.
ReplyDeleteGoslings sound very exciting, Sarah. We've only raised some once and they were adorable. We're getting eggs here too, although we're taking them away because we can't support anymore geese here.
Delete