Maiden Voyage

So, no sooner than I put last week's post up, we witnessed one of our baby birds fledge. The mum has been back and forth like crazy luring him/her to the nesting box entrance with little pieces of fat that Andy hangs for them. Sitting in the sun, we watched this tiny little head appear and start poking his/her head in and out...after a few minutes they jumped out and landed on one of my dead Ficus trees......here is a pic...

 

 

They stayed there a little while fluttering their wings and getting their bearings....they then dropped over the fence in to the neighbors garden. Maybe just as while they are out of my view as I felt compelled to stand guard over them and scare off any Robins or Blue Jays that came within the vicinity.

 

I feel like a proud Mum!!!

 

Let's hope that nature is kind and let's them survive.

The Birds & Bees

It is all about the birds and bees...literally....we are thrilled to see the sun bringing the busy bees out do their intensely under estimated job of pollinating the flowers.......

 

 

I am laying here in my back garden sun trap on May Bank holiday shared with Memorial Day. Amazing to think I am in London as all I can hear, apart from the very occasional train, are the birds singing. Through Andy's teaching I can now identify lots of the birds by their song along This includes all of our regular visitors...the Green Finches, Gold Finches, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits and Woodpecker.  I now have the Blackbird and Thrushes worked out too.

 

Quite pleased that the wild parrots are not around as we are holding a protective eye out for our Blue Tit babies. Andy has had a nesting box out for a number of years but this is the first successful year. We did have babies last year but sadly lost them to a cat. This year Andy has secured the nesting box  to the frame of the kitchen window and it seems to have provided the safe start.

 

I made sure I groomed Sophie in the garden as nesting began and I think many birds took advantage of her sumptuous fur to line their nests, the Blue Tits included. I now hear the babies call to their mother bird when she is in the area....more caterpillars please...and I love how the father shares the task....too many mouthes to feed for one alone. Andy has been telling me how their parents feed according to the growth of the babies...start with small insects and graduate to caterpillars..how do they know this stuff!!

 

I am terrified for their fledging....first flight out and want to put a pillow beneath their nesting box...just in case.....

 

I think the most energy I shall use today is a short trip to the fruit shop to buy Loquats....my new favorite fruit.....like a small peach but sweeter and sour at the same time. A glorious pre-summer indulgence....I have planted some pips with great hope......I doubt they will surprise me but I live in hope.....I mean our climate can be similar to South Africa.....hmmmm...who am I kidding....

 

Ahhh.....the simple pleasures....