Tag Archives: long-tailed tits

Surprises, washing and long-tailed tits

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This should be a serious post I planned about research and time, but as our broadband has been on the blink for a fortnight and there are things I have to attend to rather urgently. This is short and, I hope, sweet.

I went on Amazon to check something for my personal page on the Society of Authors website and found this, which is cheering. Screen Shot 2016-02-21 at 15.32.15My husband decided the washing line merited a photo. DSCN8885And I tried so hard to get a photo of the long-tailed tits bathing. This is the best I could manage.DSCN8860 - Version 2

That’s it folks (if the our broadband works long enough to post it).

Woman versus holly and magpies – two:nil

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Though it didn’t look very promising at half time.

Holly root

Holly root

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I won eventually.DSCN5004

We have been putting up coconut halves full of fat and bugs for the birds. These have been a great success and we have much enjoyed the antics of a pair of long-tailed tits. They are thinking of nesting, but are convinced that our garage houses some rivals, so they spend much time attacking the windows.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAHowever a much more serious threat has appeared. A pair of magpies have been eating from these coconut shells, and even investigating the seed feeders. We have found a simple solution, which might be useful to others. Two hanging baskets joined together make a really good guard. Small birds in, Magpies out.
DSCN5032DSCN5030I shall be away from my blog for a few days. I should have put up another POW post, but the garden demands have been non-stop so this will now have to wait until I return. I wish I could leave you with a picture of the miniature cherry or the apricot, but though both have started to flower they are not yet looking their best, so here are the current stars.

Camellia Mary Phoebe Taylor

Camellia Mary Phoebe Taylor

Anemone de Caen

Anemone de Caen (flowering now since late December)