It's the time of year when my local female blackbird (I've known the same one for 4 years+ now - she has some white markings) decides that moss and soggy soil in the pots of my carnivorous plants makes ideal nesting material. Several Darlingtonia plants scattered today to get at the moss and soil - well as least they'll get repotted now - I've just rescued them from drying out on the patio and temporarily put them in the tray of rain-water in which the pots stand.
From past experience with her determination, the best thing is to provide an alternative tray of mud/moss/bits of stringy root etc. to her liking (the stuff just removed from last year's tomato growbags seems about right). I've just tempted her over to this 'treat' with some sultanas (she's hand-tame, so scaring her off doesn't really work!).
Something has created a rodent-sized hole in the back fence and chewed the first thing it got to. Daffodils neatly cut at just above ground level. Greenery not eaten just scattered. Wanton vandalism
We were sat in the conservatory taking a break when a sparrowhawk flew the length of the garden holding a brown bird in its claw. It landed on the fence. As I had seen a flash of orange on its chest knew it was male. It then flew to the top of the hawthorn tree, at which point we realised there was another sparrowhawk sat there. They sat there for a minute, and then the male flew away in its usual direction followed by the other one. Its not unusual to see one, but two is out of the ordinary, I think they must have been the pair that hunt in this area. This bird season has got off to an unusual start with this, seeing a goldcrest, and early arrival of finches.
And Ely Cathedral (not too far from me). I think their pair of Peregrines started to use a box installed up the West Tower a couple of years ago. They definitely bred last year, and now a webcam has been installed. Not 'live' yet, but that's the intention.
We have been feeding sunflower hearts for some time and as a result get a variety of song birds, including goldfinches and tits, also green and chaffinches, blackbirds feeding from what is dropped as well as dunnocks, trotty wagtails and collared doves.
My new bird feeding station is attracting a lot of interest. Only been there about 4 weeks but I am topping up every morning now. I can hear them chattering to each other as I go out to refill. Such a pleasure.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
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This bird season has got off to an unusual start with this, seeing a goldcrest, and early arrival of finches.
Looks as if all systems are go here too
https://hawkandowltrust.org/news-page-2/sculthorpe-fen-project-news/item/438-peregrine-project-norwich-cathedral-january-2021-news-update
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.