In the garden 10th July 2013

I've had one of those weeks where you have to wait in for delivery men. One of those weeks, listening for the doorbell that doesn't ring after all as they have messed up delivery (grrrrrrrrrr) but now hopefully will come the next promised day... i.e tomorrow.. fingers crossed.....

So I've had lots of time to look and see what's going on in the garden - lots of activity as normal and there's been plenty of water fun too with the birds as it's been so hot.

© Gibby Frogett

SPIREA  © Gibby Frogett

© Gibby Frogett

The Spirea is starting to bloom.  A lovely Lacy looking flower.
This is so pretty when its in bud too.





 SPARROWS © Gibby Frogett

 

The Sparrows loved to investigate the water and have a little splash about.

DUNNOCK © Gibby Frogett

After the Sparrows had gone a Dunnock was more brave and sat under the running water for quite a while, fluffed up and enjoying himself splashing about too. That's him under the water on the left.



DUNNOCK © Gibby Frogett



ABUTILON © Gibby Frogett

© Gibby Frogett



I love the Abutilon although it's not been the easiest thing to grow. It's a bit straggly with not many leaves, although having said that it's the best its looked despite having been recently dug up and put in a pot for now.



MAGPIE FAMILY © Gibby Frogett

 

 

An awful photo I know, but taken through a couple layers of glass - had to grab camera quickly before they flew off. Thought they had two youngsters and this was the first time I'd seen the family altogether.

Garden visitors first week July

Plenty of activity still going on in my garden; with lots of varied parents collecting food for their young and flying off with it.

Occasional visits of Starling and Blackbird families with young in tow desperate to be fed. Lots of gaping beaks and chirping babies saying 'feed me, feed me'.
The parents sometimes ignore the young, fly off and the abandoned (lazy?) little one then feeds itself quite capably until mum or dad returns, then it shouts 'feed me, feed me' once again. Poor old parents are starting to look a bit shattered now.

The pair of Robins are back and forth constantly feeding and collecting food still and taking it away.
If there's no food, they come looking for it and try to attract my attention.
I'm sure they have had a couple of broods already but so far I have seen no young Robins at all this year.


© Gibby Frogett

 



I don't see hardly any butterflies or insects like I use to, so I like to try to get a photo when possible if I see any.




some sort of Shield Bug   © Gibby Frogett



Meadow  Brown Butterfly (male?)   © Gibby Frogett



Juvenile Magpie © Gibby Frogett

For several months a pair of Magpies have been regular visitors. They have at least two young, but this one remained in garden when one of the adults flew off and was fairly happy to pose for me.