In My May Garden

Like much of the country it has been lovely sunshine here for the last week or so and the birds have been enjoying it as much as we humans.

Collared Dove

'The greenfinch on the apple bough
Could make my enemies tremble.'

(George Orwell)

Greenfinches

The Starlings have been using their usual bully boy tactics and coming to the garden in gangs, they seem to gobble all the food in moments, squabbling among themselves all the time. I do think though, that when they come in singly, it is possible to appreciate that they are really very attractive birds and their lovely colours glisten like jewels in the sunlight.

'The starling in the ivy now,
For to amuse his dear,
Mimics the dog, the cat, the cow,
Blackbird and Chanticleer.'

(Katharine Tynan)

Starlings

The colours of the Goldfinch always brighten the garden and in the sunlight look even more vivid.


I have been very pleased to see a pair of House Sparrows on the feeders this last week or two, they really have become very rare visitors to my garden in the last few years. I managed to photograph both male and female but unfortunately the male one came out very blurred, so I have only been able to use two photos of the female.

'But 'mong thy creatures that do sing
Perhaps of all I likest am to the housetop-haunting sparrow,
That flies brief, sudden flights upon a dumpy, fluttering wing,
And chirps thy praises from a throat that's very short and narrow.'

(George MacDonald)

House Sparrow

The Dunnock is still busy scurrying around, I hope there may be a nest in the garden and that I will see youngsters eventually.

Dunnock

I purposely use the smallest hanging seed feeders I can find so that the bigger birds are prevented from using them, as there is plenty of provision for them elsewhere in the garden. Generally this works well and the smaller birds are left to feed in peace although there have been some memorable exceptions, for instance on this occasion. But what I saw one day last week took the biscuit, or in this case the seed! I had wondered why this particular feeder kept emptying so quickly, and here is the reason, caught in the act on camera! You have to admire its ingenuity!

Wood Pigeon

There are always plenty of Blackbirds in my garden. Last year there were several successful broods raised, so I suspect there will be more this time although I was talking to someone today who said the pair of Blackbird's nesting in his garden have had two clutches of eggs taken by Magpies already this season.


Of course even during nesting time there is always time for a spot of sunbathing.


Talking of nests, when we took the shed down last week I was dismayed to find a nest wedged amongst the Holly and Ivy at the side of the shed, there was no sign of inhabitants or eggs and it may be an old nest but I think it could be one which had just been constructed and abandoned when the shed was demolished. It was such a clever and safe place to build it and would normally have been undisturbed. I do hope if it was an abandoned one that the occupants have built somewhere else nearby.


Of course the sunshine has also brought the flowers out as well.

Clematis Pink Perfection



Deutzia


Laburnum

Every year I am thrilled to see the wild Cowslip growing in my lawn, we think it came in the turf when it was originally laid some years ago, either that or it was seeded by a bird. We are careful to mow round it until it has gone over and it seems quite happy to come back year after year.

'In the cowslip pips I lie,

Hidden from the buzzing fly,
While green grass beneath me lies,
Pearled with dew like fishes' eyes,
Here I lie, a clock-o'-clay,
Waiting for the time o' day.'

(John Clare)

My very old Paeony which originated from my mother and father-in-law's garden is in full bud.

Paeony

While my miniature Rhododendron is now in full flower.

Rhododendron


Icelandic Poppy

This London Pride, or Pretty Betty as I have always known it, is a favourite which I remember was always in my mother's garden, it is quite an unassuming little plant but is easy to grow and provides good ground cover.

'London Pride has been handed down to us.
London Pride means our own dear town to us,
And our pride it for ever will be.
London Pride is a flower that's free.'

(Noel Coward)

London Pride

Finally these Aquilegia or Columbine seed themselves readily round the garden and produce some interesting colours and shapes when they cross pollinate.

'Bring cornflag, tulip and Adonis flower,

Fair Oxeye, goldylocks and columbine.'

'Ben Johnson'

Aquilegia

All photographs taken by me in the garden.