Garden Wildlife

It’s been a glorious day today, sunny and cool with clear blue skies. I’ve made progress on clearing up the garden. There’s still a lot to do, but one day at a time and I’ll get there. Next -when it’s dry - I want to plant bulbs in containers.

Some of my best wildlife experiences have been in the garden this year, and today was no exception. First of all, I was clearing four big pots of their dahlia tubers when I was interrupted by a flying commotion feet away. A sparrowhawk had targeted “ our” robin, and they both landed in the small apple tree feet apart from each other and close to me. A very close shave for the robin I think. I stood stock still admiring the hawk’s markings. The robin, on my side of the tree, did not move (that would have been a mistake), and the hawk eventually took flight.

Then I saw a red admiral butterfly, which landed on our roof to soak up some warmth. I decided to get my camera. I quite like the result. We are six weeks off the shortest day of the year, so it is surprise to be seeing butterflies. I assume this will be my last of the year, but who knows.,

Then the robin repaid me for acting as a sparrowhawk deterrent by posing for some photographs (extra). And finally, mid afternoon, two large skeins of pink footed geese flew over the house in a north-west direction (another extra).

It’s the kind of gardening I enjoy.