A Round Up

Checking on the ponies I thought I had an ideal shot of them, both more or less looking my way.  Then I downloaded it and found a large metal feeder between them.  Not one for the 2018 calendar!

Whilst walking around, it was observed that some catkins were open and ready to disperse their pollen.

This tree is near to the Stone Pile and every year it is the first to show its open catkins.  We looked all over the tree but could find no female flowers and thought what a waste of pollen and that the tree 'was out of step'.  However there was no need to worry, as about a week later there were plenty of female flowers on show.

The back garden at Foxglove has been really busy with birds.  Chaffinches, Goldfinches. Redpolls, Great, Blue and Coal Tits, Robins, Blackbirds and Great Spotted Woodpeckers to name some feeding from the feeders and on the ground.  Looking out of the kitchen window it was a surprise to see a Brambling on the feeder.  Usually these birds feed on the ground under the main feeders and are rarely seen in this part of the garden.

Perfect conditions saw the bird ringers back at the Starling roost.  Are you sitting comfortably?  Then we'll begin - ringing!

It was interesting to see that the majority of the birds were females, hatched last year. Many of them were developing the pink on their beaks, which was missing three weeks ago.

 Thank you to everyone who helped as it may have been good ringing conditions but it was not too good for humans!