Well, this week has been largely weather for the ducks alternating with gusty winds. Not a good week for gardening. Thankfully there was a short burst of good weather today (Sunday) so we could get out and do some power weeding.
Despite the weather, the birds were definitely back in fuller voice today. When the rain forced us to take a break from weeding a host of thrush, robins, blackbirds and tits descended with great chirping to dig for worms. Mr & Mrs Great Tit that are nesting in the eaves were going in and out constantly this afternoon so lets hope that means the chicks have hatched.
With all the rain, the river is high and a thick chocolatey colour - and the ducks are loving it. It was lovely this morning to watch the pair of mallards waddle up the bank and then swim back and forward across the little rocky rapids just upstream from our garden. After they’d finished playing Mr Mallard stood guard as Mrs Mallard fed. Hopefully we’ll have some ducklings again soon. As I watched the ducks I also spotted a super speedy black and white stealth bird that whizzed down the river twice. No chance of getting a photo but I think it was a Martin.
After this week’s poor weather many of the big buds are still tightly closed. The lilac has started to open and is attracting bees and butterflies. There were two types of butterflies around this morning.
Despite the weather, the birds were definitely back in fuller voice today. When the rain forced us to take a break from weeding a host of thrush, robins, blackbirds and tits descended with great chirping to dig for worms. Mr & Mrs Great Tit that are nesting in the eaves were going in and out constantly this afternoon so lets hope that means the chicks have hatched.
With all the rain, the river is high and a thick chocolatey colour - and the ducks are loving it. It was lovely this morning to watch the pair of mallards waddle up the bank and then swim back and forward across the little rocky rapids just upstream from our garden. After they’d finished playing Mr Mallard stood guard as Mrs Mallard fed. Hopefully we’ll have some ducklings again soon. As I watched the ducks I also spotted a super speedy black and white stealth bird that whizzed down the river twice. No chance of getting a photo but I think it was a Martin.After this week’s poor weather many of the big buds are still tightly closed. The lilac has started to open and is attracting bees and butterflies. There were two types of butterflies around this morning.
One, a cabbage white (white with fine grey lines)
the other an Orange Tip butterfly (white with vivid orange wing tips).
One of the magnolia buds has decided to brave it and open along with a few of the rhododendron heads but the poppies and peonies remain tightly closed.
Buds have appeared on the claret thistle while the first flowers are out on 
the purple cranesbill geranium, 
a ruby astrantia and the pink/cream aqualegias.The summer bulbs and tubers are also starting to make an appearance this week. A few alliums have started to open their papery outer covering.
Whilst others like allium moly and the chives are covered in tight little heads. The iris are also forming new tightly bound purple heads. When rain forced the first weeding break, I watched from the back door as the tiny droplets formed on the lupin leaves in the pot I’d added to the deck last week.
Mesmerised I was driven to grab my camera and get out to photograph it (despite the rain). Realising how beautiful the glistening crystal droplets looked I then continued round the garden to create a collection of photos showing the garden after rain.
the rain clings to some, like the pasque teasels, and just drips off others like the acer
Not even the rain can dull the striking colour of the tulips
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