GARDEN BLOG LATE AUTUMN-EARLY WINTER
I was in Australia during September & October and missed the beautiful Autumnal colours in the UK. Although the majority of this seasons weather has been very mild,we have a large number and variety of birds visiting our garden and feeders - I have particularly noticed an increase in Greenfinches. This is a good sign as I am sure the RSPB has at some time reported a decrease in the population. A flock of Long Tail Tits have re-appeared recently and I can get quite close to them and listen to the gentle churring calls they make to each other - they really are very sociable birds and readily share their food - unlike the greedy Greenfinches!
It is hard to believe it is January when a Dianthus sits on the patio table in fragrant bloom and daffodils are flowering in our sheltered front garden. As soon as Christmas is over I Iook forward to seeing the green shoots of Snowdrops appear - this year these are well advanced and bursting into flower along with the Hellebores.
Birds seen in the garden this season are:Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Green Wood Pecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Wren, Bullfinch (f), Collared Dove and Robin. Although I haven’t spotted the Sparrowhawk I have seen evidence of a kill it must have made near the Plum Tree i.e. a large area of freshly plucked feathers!.
