Jays and Siskins

We noticed a little plush brown vole was feeding on the fallen seed under the bird feeders so we put some on the ground, hoping to get some nice photos. It didn't get much chance to feed as a fine pair of Jays turned up. We managed a couple of photos before one gave a very harsh alarm call and they both took off, hopefully they'll be back, though they are always very nervous. We also had a pair of Siskins coming for the peanuts.

Swallows are back.

Just seen our first Swallow of the year, a female coasting over the marshy fields behind the house. Nice birthday present for me but worried as the forecast for overnight is for gales and heavy rain. One swallow definitely doesn't make a summer. We are settling in and its amazing how quickly the local wildlife has cottoned on and since putting out food and mowing the lawn we have suddenly become a prime territory worth fighting for. Two equally matched Robins were particularly brutal rolling around the lawn attempting to stab each other in the chest with their beaks. At least one did survive as I  heard it singing later. Two female blackbirds had a scrap one dragging the other by a wing past the kitchen window while I was washing up. We did have three baby rabbits coming into the garden to eat my newly planted perennials - an ornamental Bistort being favourite. Barrie pointed out if I didn't want rabbits in the garden I shouldn't put out rabbit food (bird seed). I was going to try the strategic placement of Ferret poo but now there appears to be no need. A feral cat turned up for a few days and the bunnies are no more.

House Move

Finally moved into our new home. Amazed how noisy the countryside is, especially when you haven't got double glazing. The dawn chorus starts with the Robin before daylight and he's the last to finish singing at night and still feeds around the bird feeders when its dark. He's joined by the hooting of the Tawny Owls and the melody of the Blackbirds and gradually the smaller birds join in with little more than a burp from a Bullfinch to the incredibly sweet song of the Dunnock. On Tuesday night it got stormy and the wind set the trees roaring and creaking. Most are Pine and they bend and sway at alarming angles. Th;ere are plenty of deer,  we watched three coming down to the stream  to drink while we were putting up the bedroom curtains. Our outside light is also proving very attractive to moths so I am going to have to brush up my identifying skills. However that would mean finding a book which is in a box of which there are many.