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| Chiffchaff |
Like every other gardener, I'm frantically sowing seeds, planting, weeding and digging at the moment. There just aren't enough hours in the day at this time of year! So I'm very busy - but not too busy to notice all sorts of activity taking place in the nearby hedges and trees. While I'm gardening, all the birds are singing, pairing up, nesting and raising young. I often stop what I'm doing to take a closer look, especially when I can hear or see the summer birds back again after the winter, like the Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. Every few days I hear a new song. It can't be that long, now, until the Swallows and Cuckoos are here, too.
There seem to be lots of mini-dramas taking place in the hedgerows as the birds start their new families. The Song Thrushes are an example. I like to think there's a heated debate going on here, perhaps about this year's nest...
In some areas of the smallholding, nests have already been built. In a box on a fence, a pair of Robins are nesting. I put the box up a while ago now, and it's so hidden by ivy and clematis, that I'd forgotten all about it. But they found it...
The young Robins in the nest are already making a noise, so the parents are busy feeding, going backwards and forwards. This isn't a good photo, but I didn't want to disturb them too much and they were obviously bothered by me watching them with the camera, so I took one quick shot and left them in peace...
Sadly, it seems that some pairing up hasn't taken place. There's now a solitary Hare in the local fields, so I haven't seen any boxing this year...
Most of my walks are in the local wood, because the wood anemones are covering the ground - and the first bluebells are coming out. It's starting to look magical in there.
There are spring butterflies in the glades...
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| Brimstone |
And because it's spring, it's time for a haircut. Here is before...
and after...
I can see Harry's eyes again! I hadn't seen them properly for weeks.
So, it is wonderful to see all the local wildlife in spring - except for these...
I wish there weren't so many pairs of Rabbits. I had surrounded one of my flower patches with chicken wire to protect my flowers from them. But over the years this became entangled with grass and weeds, so it began to look terrible and I took it out. After this, it wasn't long before the Rabbits moved in and helped themselves to the flowers. I'm going to try spraying Tabasco sauce around the edge of the patch as a repellent. Otherwise I'll have to put in another kind of fence...
...Help!
Lovely picture of the hare, just beautiful, thank you for posting it.
ReplyDeleteGreat news re the baby robins and my goodness doesn't Harry look smart? He is a lovely boy :-)
Thanks CT - I managed to creep up a bit on the Hare this time. Usually it sees me first and is disappearing fast when I catch sight of it!
DeleteThe haircut has transformed Harry's appearance - he looks a different dog!
Nice Chiffy Shot Wendy, I have not got close enough yet this Spring.
ReplyDeleteHeated debat e about the nest, we can guess who won that.{:))
Wow! Bluebells already, that is early this year. I shall have to check certain locations to see if they are coming out there.
Thanks Roy. I wanted to manage a shot of the Chiffchaff before all the leaves come out. Then it really does become a little bird to hear and not see, doesn't it?
DeleteI did love watching the Song Thrushes together - they were a busy pair that day!
Hi Wendy, so nice to see your lovely bird photography today, again! The photo of the woods with the white wood anemones and the bluebells is truly enchanting! I didn't know that you have a dog (of course, every good Brit has one ;-)!). He looks very sweet and happy in the forest. Hope you find a way to keep the rabbits out of your flower patches. They can do quite a bit of damage, can't they? Happy spring!
ReplyDeleteChristina
Now the woodland flowers are out, my local wood does look stunning. And the bluebells have such a gorgeous scent.
DeleteYes - lots of dogs around here!
Happy spring, too, Christina!
What a smart doggie! I had chicken wire around my allotment, but I've taken a lot of it out for the same reason. We shall see how much damage the rabbits do! Such beautiful photos, and how lovely to see that butterfly. I've been enjoying the birdsong at the allotment, there's so much of it at the moment, and it's so full on. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe chicken wire did work here, although the geese often managed to step over it, but they don't do so much damage as the rabbits. But, as you must have found, when nettles and grass and weeds get so tangled in it, it just takes away from the look of the patch it's protecting. I had lovely flowers with an ugly border. If the Tabasco doesn't work, I will have to think of a replacement quickly.
DeleteDear Wendy - I am sure that those bluebells are earlier than normal, and imagine that the Robins already have a little family to feed.
ReplyDeleteHarry is looking splendid with his Spring haircut, it has knocked years off him too.
The bluebells were so late last year, Rosemary, that I've been caught out by them this year! I didn't expect to see so many so soon.
DeleteI do agree, Harry does look so much younger with his winter coat removed and I can now see all the colours of his fur - much better!
Love your robins!
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to see if the Tabasco works. Electric fence by any chance?
I'm putting a lot of faith in this Tabasco, Jessica! We've used an electric fence before here to protect the chickens and they do work very well, but my main flower bed area merges into a thick hornbeam hedge on one side and a hawthorn tree on another, so I wouldn't get an all-round cover. Otherwise, it would be something to consider. I know it would put off the rabbits.
DeleteHello Wendy! Loved this post. The anemones and bluebells in the woods really are magical - and beautiful too! It is so sweet that the robins are nesting where you can get a good look at them. It reminds me of one summer when I was a little girl and a bird built a nest on a bluff next to our path down to the river. And everyday my grandma and I went swimming, we'd stop to see the baby birds. It was very special. I hope you have a happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stacy. That is a lovely story about the bird's nest. The Robins are constantly flying in and out here - I'll be looking out for the fledglings to make sure they're as safe as possible. Hopefully they will be - there's plenty of cover around the nest.
DeleteHi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. Absolutely perfect place for the robins to nest....hopefully they will succeed with their young.
Hares, wonderful. I love them. You are so very lucky to see them.
I have a rabbit warren in the garden. It was here when we bought the house.
I had to rethink gardening......a challenge to say the least.
Nella my terrier catches them.....not something I like but necessary, I garden for bees butterflies birds and the more endangered species.
Thanks Cheryl. That is something of a problem when you inherit a Rabbit warren. We have Rabbits burrowing under the summer house - which is close to the flower bed! Even if we didn't have it - it is a Rabbit paradise around here, they have a warren under next door's shed, too.
DeleteSeeing the Hares is very special. I had so hoped to see them boxing this year, but I have only seen one for weeks now.
BTW love your border terrier.....
ReplyDeleteThanks again Cheryl. He is adored here!!
DeleteGorgeous spring photos - and Harry looks very smart, what a lovely face. And oh the woods I have died and gone to heaven I love woods in spring time. Are you ever going to show us pictures of your garden?
ReplyDeleteAthough I love the autumn golds and coppers in the woods, I think they're at their best at this time of year. The colours and light and scent in them are glorious. It is so startling after the bleakness of winter.
DeleteI'm moving everything around in the garden at the moment and being quite ruthless - so it is undergoing change. When it's done - I hope to show it! Thanks Elaine
It's wonderful to see so many signs of spring all around us, you certainly have some beautiful walks with Harry and his new haircut! We used to have problems with rabbits in the garden but since our dog died, neighbours cats have despatched the babies and the rabbits have moved on. I must visit our local wood and see if the bluebells are out there yet.
ReplyDeleteI think our Rabbits are outwitting the predators, Pauline! I do switch from walking in the arable fields to the woods with Harry at this time of year. The arable fields are full of oil seed rape anyway (which isn't pleasant to walk through - especially as they keep being sprayed). But most of all, I have to make the most of the bluebells!
DeleteGreat photos Wendy.. lovely to see the Robin nesting. Doesn't Harry look a smart and handsome dog. :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie. Harry is very smart at the moment - if only it would last!
DeleteLovely photos & Harry has a very sweet face, like my human Harry xx.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne. Harry has won over the neighbours by looking so sweet - he often gets treats from them on our walks!
DeleteA lovely Spring post with some great photos. Its wonderful to see the wood anemones and bluebells starting to flower in the woodland and all the birds in your smallholding :)
ReplyDeleteI think it is the best time to be out in the countryside, especially in the woods. Last year's display of bluebells was stunning (when they were so late). I wonder if this year, because they are coming out early and then gradually over the next few weeks, if the display will be longer, but less stunning. Thanks Caroline.
DeleteLOVE a Chiff-Chaff - such sweet looking birds, and that lovely song. Smart new haircut too - very dapper, Harry!
ReplyDeleteThere do seem to be plenty of Chiffchaffs around here - such a good sign. Harry was becoming lost under all that hair - I'm so glad to see him smarter!
DeleteHarry does look smart! Lovely photos of your bird visitors and the hare. We saw quite a few brimstones on our canal side walk last week and wood anemones too - haven't seen any bluebells yet though:)
ReplyDeleteCompared to last year, I've seen so many more spring butterflies this year. There are lots of Peacocks again, in particular. Swallows have spotted in the area but I still haven't seen one yet - I wonder if these were passing through. I was surprised just how many bluebells are out here already.
DeleteWhat fabulous shots Wendy. That Chiffchaff is a masterpiece! We had Robins nesting close to the ground here once but I had a very inadequate camera at the time and never got a good shot. Lovely to see yours and the haircut of course. Snippet's is LONG overdue.
ReplyDeleteThanks Em. I was pleased to get the Chiffchaff - I didn't get a decent shot last year at all. Harry's haircut was very overdue, too, but I thought I'd wait for it to warm up before I had it all cut off. Of course it then turned colder as soon as he had it done!
DeleteLovely photo's but Harry doesn't look too pleased with the hair cut. lol
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
Thanks Briony. The dog groomer has covered Harry in some scented shampoo or powder and I don't think he likes it much. I've caught him trying to rub it off!
DeleteYour wildlife pictures are wonderful it feels like spring looking at your lovely pictures! Harry looks very smart too! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteThe sight of the woodland wildflowers do make it feel like spring, even though it's turned colder here. I don't know of any other birds' nests here (apart from in the Blue Tit boxes) but there's so much activity I'm sure they're around. Thanks Sarah.
DeleteDoesn't Harry look smart! Such lovely photos, all with a story to tell - especially the thrushes, you've really caught a moment there. Good luck keeping the rabbits at bay - I hope the Tabasco sauce works!
ReplyDeleteI shall be trying out the sauce very soon, Helen! I'll have to work out how much I need. I was delighted to see the Song Thrushes pairing up and nesting - such lovely birds.
DeleteI've been trying to work out whether our robins are nesting here or next door, no joy so far, but like you I frequently find myself pausing whilst weeding to listen to or watch the birds and their mating antics. Beautiful brimstone, I have only seen tortoishells so far. But a heartening number of ladybirds, hoverflies and bees of various sorts.
ReplyDeleteThat's good news about the insects and pollinators you're seeing where you are. I've been lucky to see several types of butterflies here, although unsurprisingly not so many over past few days after it has turned wetter and colder. I hope you work out where your Robins are; I don't usually guess where their nests are, either.
DeleteI did enjoy your beautiful spring photographs!
ReplyDeleteThe woodland looks a wonderful, peaceful place to walk.
Thanks DW. The woodland is rarely visited so it is very peaceful. I love to go there as early as possible in the morning.
DeleteEverything is so beautiful, and Harry looks as though he is having a wonderful time in spring too!! Hope that you can sort out the flowerbed/rabbit situation! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy. Now Harry is older we don't have long walks anymore, but a walk through the woodland is about the right distance. It's also perfect for him because of the shade on warm days (although now his winter coat is off he shouldn't get so hot!)
DeleteAwwww, how adorable Harry looks after his haircut sitting amongst the bluebells, a lucky chap he is to have such wonderful walks to go on.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely pics of the birds, especially the chiffchaff and I loved the brimstone.
It's such a wonderful time of the year isn't it, and to think of all the new life that's about to burst forth. A charming post.xxx
I could do with this time of year lasting a lot longer than it does. It goes too quickly for me! I do take Harry on some lovely walks, but I think he enjoys a park just as much because of the other dogs. Now he's older the easier the walk the better! Thanks Dina
DeleteHello Wendy. I can understand your joy at seeing all your local wildlife, except the Rabbits, of course!
ReplyDeleteSuper shot of the Chiffchaff .... I heard my first Cuckoo today and hopefully a few more Warblers will turn up very soon.
BTW ... thanks for dropping by 'The Early Birder' ... your visit was much appreciated.
Hello Frank - thanks for visiting here, too!
DeleteThat is great news about the first Cuckoo. I'm hoping to hear one in this area at any time, although last year I didn't hear one until May.
I'm waiting for the Reed Warblers to arrive back on one of my walks - and I still haven't seen my first Swallow, either.
Beautiful photos. So nice to see Spring!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. Isn't it just, such a lovely time of year
DeleteI love those woodland scenes Wendy, just perfect :-) The first Bluebells are just starting to appear here too while the Anemones are sadly already beginning to fade for yet another year. It is wonderful to hear the spring birds again isn't it.
ReplyDeleteI can't spend enough time in the bluebell woods at the moment, David. I think, as of today (Saturday 12th) the bluebells have reached their peak.
DeleteIt is wonderful to hear the spring birds - and yesterday was special as I heard and saw my first Swallow!
I have not been into our local wood for a week or two. I wonder if the bluebells are out yet, probably not yet up here but there are wood anenomes, one of my favourite wild flowers. Actually if I am honest my favourites change depending on what is in flower but anenomes are perfect and simple beauty. I am surprised you have such problems with rabbits. I had imagined that having the dog might help to deter them. Pity if that is not the case as it is part of my armoury in the longstanding debate with my husband about our having a dog!
ReplyDeleteThe wood anemones have been overtaken by the bluebells already here, they didn't seem to be out very long before this happened. I completely agree about them, they are such a beautiful, star-like flower and it is wonderful seeing them covering the woodland floor.
DeleteEven though Harry is a terrier, he's never been interested in Rabbits and so he never bothers them. He may be a special case!
What lovely shots of all the wildlife. Good luck with the tabasco, I'd be interested to know if it works. The rabbits in our garden have worked out how far they can venture from the safety of their holes and Lottie doesn't bother going after them now! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie. Our Rabbits are crafty, too! Harry has never bothered to chase anything bigger than a rodent, so Rabbits have always been safe here. I don't think it took them too long to work that out!
DeleteI've bought some new plants this weekend, so I now have an extra reason to try the tabasco asap!
Ahh, the bunnies! I have the same problem. They've already eaten all my crocus. Your woods are a magical place. I love how open they are. We have lots of native mertensia virginica here, which we call Virginia bluebells. The fact that they are so fleeting makes them all the more special. :o)
ReplyDeleteOh no - that is a shame about your crocuses, Tammy. I've seen over the years that the Rabbits do leave many of our native spring flowers alone - it is the "bought in" flowers they love best, which is so frustrating when I have just planted something and it disappears overnight.
DeleteYour native bluebells do sound very special - I will go and read up on them!
O Wendy what a great pictures, I love the bluebells in your country and the hares, but rabbits are a nuissance, I spotted two of them in my garden last week, we never had before rabbits in the garden, they have eaten all the leaves of the wood anemones.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janneke. That is bad news about the wood anemones. Rabbits do just demolish a flower so quickly.
DeleteNow is definitely time to see the bluebells here.
Sorry I'm so late catching up, I do love your posts, always full of wildlife. A great image of the Chiffchaff.
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzie
DeleteWhat a wonderful array of garden birds you have, and I can't believe it is nearly time for the cuckoo again. I am slightly concerned to see the bluebells as I will be over from Australia visiting my Mum mid May, & I am hoping there will still be some left in bloom!
ReplyDeleteI've heard the cuckoo once, Jane, so they are back. The bluebells have been out for a while, too so they will be finished by mid-May here. Of course it must be different in other areas of the country! Other wildflowers, like Yellow Archangel, are coming up though, and many of these will look beautiful in May.
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