I'm in Perthshire and no rain here either - never known it be so dry for so long so early in the season. Water out every night with food for the hedgehogs and fresh water in the bird bath every day. Sadly just seen a sparrow hawk take one of the blue tits, but I suppose that's nature. 2nd wee hog who was poorly back from hospital today and ready for release tonight! So happy he's survived.
Here's mine for the Birds, and as it happens for the Bees too, as there was one drinking from it today.
I bought some shallow feeding and drinking bowls for the Hedgehog today and hoggies new feeding station arrives on Monday, so said bowls will be put inside, just hope it can find them once inside.
I've just had to top the pond up when I realised it had dropped so low the blackbird couldn't reach the water. There is a rock type pebble corner that is usually shallow enough for the birds and animals to access the water with small pools for them to bath in but with this lack of rain it bone dry.
Here's a video of my ground-level birdbath taken over one night and one day with a trailcam. It's a series of half-second long still photos merged together. I call the rat who appears 'Stumpy' - most of his tail is missing (no doubt taken by one of the other larger creatures which appear!)
We leave a bowl of water for the hedgehogs, cats and any other creatures that are passing, but sure as eggs are eggs the hedgehog tips the bowl up every night!
So far we have had a blackbird, pigeon and robin bathing in our new waterfall, they appear to be enjoying themselves very much.
I have such a problem with the hoards of cats in my garden. I leave out ground level dishes and am putting in a pond, but it's not really safe for birds / small mammals to come down and drink, esp the baby sparrows who can't fly very well yet. Cats lurk in the bushes waiting to pounce. Any ideas, short of a high raised birdbath? I think my garden could be a wildlife haven without the cats.
Posts
Still no rain here and I'm in Scotland for heavens sake!
I'm in Perthshire and no rain here either - never known it be so dry for so long so early in the season. Water out every night with food for the hedgehogs and fresh water in the bird bath every day. Sadly just seen a sparrow hawk take one of the blue tits, but I suppose that's nature. 2nd wee hog who was poorly back from hospital today and ready for release tonight! So happy he's survived.
Here's mine for the Birds, and as it happens for the Bees too, as there was one drinking from it today.
I bought some shallow feeding and drinking bowls for the Hedgehog today and hoggies new feeding station arrives on Monday, so said bowls will be put inside, just hope it can find them once inside.
Last edited: 12 May 2017 19:09:50
I've just had to top the pond up when I realised it had dropped so low the blackbird couldn't reach the water. There is a rock type pebble corner that is usually shallow enough for the birds and animals to access the water with small pools for them to bath in but with this lack of rain it bone dry.
Here's a video of my ground-level birdbath taken over one night and one day with a trailcam. It's a series of half-second long still photos merged together. I call the rat who appears 'Stumpy' - most of his tail is missing (no doubt taken by one of the other larger creatures which appear!)
https://youtu.be/Gtvjt7nD1wE
I'll probably make more of these.
Last edited: 12 May 2017 22:56:39
The next night & day:
https://youtu.be/pZKXbajm7-Q
We leave a bowl of water for the hedgehogs, cats and any other creatures that are passing, but sure as eggs are eggs the hedgehog tips the bowl up every night!
So far we have had a blackbird, pigeon and robin bathing in our new waterfall, they appear to be enjoying themselves very much.
Absolutely love the videos Bob, keep them coming. It just goes to show what a difference putting out water can really make to wildlife.
Thanks Mark, will do!
I have such a problem with the hoards of cats in my garden. I leave out ground level dishes and am putting in a pond, but it's not really safe for birds / small mammals to come down and drink, esp the baby sparrows who can't fly very well yet. Cats lurk in the bushes waiting to pounce. Any ideas, short of a high raised birdbath? I think my garden could be a wildlife haven without the cats.