Biodiversity

Maintain a healthy balance of wildlife in your garden.

National Nest Box Week

Posted on February 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

It’s National Nest Box Week from the 14th-21st of February, so if you haven’t got any (or would like more) this is the time to find a spot for one. It will give the birds a chance to become familiar with the box before the breeding season starts. We have a pair of Tree Creepers who weave their way up and down the Tulip Tree so I’m going to buy Andrew (don’t tell him) a Tree Creeper nest box as a Valentine’s present. He’ll like it, believe me. Nest boxes of all shapes and sizes are available from wigglywigglers and birdfood.co.uk

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Fabulously Floriferous Fatsia

Posted on December 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

I’ve learned to love the large fatsia that grows against the garden wall. When I moved here it sprawled untidily but now that I’ve removed the leaves from the three trunks and keep the top growth in check it lends evergreen structure to the garden. And at this time of year its flowers are at their peak. I was working nearby on a particularly lovely day last week and realised the air was full of the sounding of humming. The bees were feasting on the fatsia flowers.

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Posted in Biodiversity, In The Garden

Holy Crow

Posted on June 21, 2011 | Leave a comment
Not the prettiest in my view but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

We had a visit yesterday from what I believe to be a young crow. Precariously balanced on top of the fence at the end of the garden it stayed put for a photo shoot. The bird looked too young to be able to fly but after a minute or two in close proximity it took flight over the house and has not been seen since.

© Daniel Carruthers

 

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Garden Wildlife

Posted on April 16, 2011 | 2 Comments
kitten-in-tree

Titus assisting

Titus the kitten is given to ambushing me in the garden.  Quite why he thought I wouldn’t notice him dangling from the olive tree I don’t know – he is more successful leaping out from amongst the dense clumps of Pheasant grass.

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Prepare to be ‘Fluttered’

Posted on March 26, 2011 | 3 Comments
Peacock Butterfly Photographed by Michael Warren

Peacock Butterfly Photographed by Michael Warren

In preparation for this Big Butterfly Count – the charity Butterfly Conservation (in partnership with Marks & Spencer) is launching the national Planting for Butterflies campaign on  April 4th to encourage people to plant butterfly-friendly plants in their gardens. The top five nectar plants they recommend are: Buddleja, Verbena bonariensis, the Perennial Wallflower (Bowles Mauve), Lavender and Marjoram (Oregano). For more information about butterfly friendly gardening, visit www.butterfly-conservation.org.  The count takes place from the 16 – 31July 2011.

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