I was working on the rose tunnel the other day and suddenly became aware of a constant, small companion. It was a Goldcrest (Regulus regulus), Europe's smallest bird (along with the similar Firecrest). I've only ever caught a glimpse of one at the Priory before, as it darted into some conifers - their preferred hunting … Continue reading Goldcrest
Garden Birds
Wordless Wednesday
Here's a wheeze. Apparently, on Wednesdays some people post a photo without any .... damn.
Swallows And The Kestrel
As buzzards will always remind me of the Priory, so kestrels will always make me think of the Old Forge. I see them hunting over the gardens and the surrounding fields almost every time I'm there. Today was no exception. And I saw one closer than usual ... ... as he perched on the house … Continue reading Swallows And The Kestrel
Bird Feeder
I am a self-employed gardener and that suits me just fine. But it does mean that I don't get certain benefits. No work pension. No sick pay. No holiday pay. No pay if I just feel like lying in bed, eating lemon bon-bons. And no work-chums. But hey, you weigh things up and you make … Continue reading Bird Feeder
Slowly, slowly …
... as we head into June, May is arriving. What should have been a show-stopping leap centre-stage, has been a slow, very late and frankly embarrassing shuffle in from the wings. Not much is flowering at the Priory therefore though there is plenty of new, green growth. Here in the rock border, ferns (which survived … Continue reading Slowly, slowly …
Beaky and the Nest Boxes
I'm back home safe and sound from my winter walking adventure in Yorkshire and Cumbria. It'll take a few days more to sort through all the photos and come up with some wordsandwordsandwords. In the meantime ..... A few weeks ago, I posted some photos of blue tits using the bird feeders at the Priory. … Continue reading Beaky and the Nest Boxes
Mosty Frorning
I mean ... oh, never mind ... you know what I mean. After a warm, wet winter here in Southern England, last week we were finally hit by some hard and decent frosts. I like frost. I like how it punctuates the year and zaps all that can't survive freezing temperatures. I like the scrunchiness … Continue reading Mosty Frorning
The Anxious Gardener 