This is my third year of noting down the birds in my back yard for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. I don’t know how, but I somehow ended up doing it a day early on Friday. In reality you were supposed to join in on Saturday or Sunday or even tomorrow, so there’s still time if you want to record the wildlife in your garden. You can submit your results online here. Anyway I don’t suppose it matters , me being an early bird. 🙂
All ready with my mug of Bird & Wild Coffee. I somehow totally forgot to use my new RSPB mug!Male House Sparrow.House Sparrows.
Unfortunately I did not get the variety of species that I have had in previous years. The birds are definitely still around but chose not to appear in the hour. I ended up recording 9 House sparrows ( at least I can depend on them! ) and erm, 1 Mouse. Oh and I had to shew a neighbors cat away. My own cat Slinky was happily snoozing on the bed.
Just like last year I joined my sister, niece and nephew for their Big Garden Birdwatch, which we did this afternoon. We counted 4 Bluetits, 2 Coaltits, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Robins, 1 Great Tit, 2 Nuthatches, 1 Grey Squirrel and 2 Pheasants. Similar to 2019 except no Dunnock or Long Tailed Tits. A flurry of Long Tailed Tits typically showed up after the hour , but we of course couldnt include the latecomers.
Female Chaffinch.Bluetits and Coal Tit.My Sister’s families new addition. ❤️Birdwatching. 🐦Acrobatic Nuthatch.Grey Squirrel.Still tucking in.
Little Walt the new kitten joined us for the birdwatch. I have a feeling he might want to do more than birdwatch next year though. But isn’t he adorable! Maybe we can ask him to scare off the naughty squirrel who hogged the bird table…..
Are you going to do the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch?
These past few days have been pretty hot weather-wise, with temperatures even hitting thirty degrees, here in the North West. Here are my latest ‘Wild Moments.’ 🙂
Day 17 ~ Bonnie Babies. On a shopping trip in Skipton , I came across these beautiful babies. 🙂 Four gorgeous silvery cygnets with their proud parents. Talk about adorable. The Mute Swan pair didn’t seem threatened by the humans gathered at the canal side. Maybe they were showing off their bundles of joy. 🙂 It is said that Mute Swans mate for life and usually have one brood a year, between March and June.
Day 18 ~ Breakfast with the Birds….and Squirrels. This morning I decided to take my breakfast to the castle grounds ( a drink and a cereal bar, no less! ) and sit near where some kind soul leaves bird seed for the park’s population. I counted 2 Jackdaw, 1 Wood Pigeon, 3 Dunnock, 2 House Sparrow, a Robin, 2 Bluetits, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Blackbirds and three Grey Squirrels, in the half hour I was there. Here in the Ribble Valley, as in most of the country, it is the Grey Squirrel that has taken precidence , over our native Reds. In fact the Grey’s carry a disease that will destroy any Red Squirrels, they come into contact with. 😦 Later in the week I read an article about a ‘Gun toting Granny’ in Cumbria , who shoots Grey Squirrels from her car window. I hope someday soon , a vaccine can be developed to protect the tufty reds..
Harlequin Hatchling.
Day 19 ~ I D an Insect. Another HOt Hot day. Saw quite a few of these unusual looking insects with orange markings. They were sat on the leaves of some garden escape forget-me-nots, near where I live. Anyway after a quick look online, I found out that they are the larvae of the Harlequin ladybird. Harlequins are apparently an invasive ( yikes, more invaders! )ladybird species originally from Japan, first turning up on our shores in 2004. The larvae like to gollop up not only aphids, but insects too, including other ladybirds larvae. So maybe not so happily co-existing with our native species. 😦
Day 20 ~ Water for the Bees. Bees and other insects need a fresh water supply , especially in hot weather. Taking inspiration from a few other #30dayswilders , I filled a saucer with marbles and stones and poured in some water. Bees can rest on the marbles whilst taking a sip and there is less danger of them drowning, than if I just simply put a saucer of water out.
Day 21 ~Fledgling Visitors. Until today my only visitor to our bird feeders, has been a solitary bluetit. This morning she brought two fledglings along! A happy moment. There was lots of chirping as she tried to persuade her two offspring to investigate the half coconut shell. Eventually one of her babies had a go. Hopefully they will all continue visiting. 🙂
Day 22 ~ Blissed Out. A very grey drizzley morning. But look who loves the weather! I must admit I felt a bit fed up as we started our daily venture into the fields. But just seeing how Hugo embraces the outdoors, always makes me smile. 🙂
0ff camping tommorrow, so fingers crossed that the sunshine reappears. ♡
As we recently purchased a new camera ( a Lumix Fz72 ), I thought I would use it to take pictures in my local park of the various animals and birds that reside there. I am lucky enough to live very close to ‘Clitheroe Castle’. Its grounds are where we often take Hugo on his walks. Here are a few recent photos. There are lots of grey squirrels that can often be seen trapezing from tree to tree. And quite a few species of garden birds. Over the year I will try and make a record of what I come across. Yep I am a bird nerd!
Robin red breast.Clitheroe Castle.A Jackdaw has found a nesting place.Pigeons enjoying the view.Primroses.A thrush enjoying a bath.View of Pendle Hill.Squirrel Nutkin.And a close up. 🙂Now he’s just showing off!Beautiful Nuthatch.
sunshine and celandines 