Nature pics

[jeallen01]

Yes, definitely warmer - at least half a dozen rose flowers already open or in-process of doing so!

 

[Topper]

I became absolutely fed up of feeding wood pigeons every day, the two it started off with, eventually became seven, so I decided to take action. I determined it was the wheat in the feed that was attracting them so I decided to mix my own feed. Proved more expensive however the upside being it solved the woody problem and we are now back down to two woodies with two beautiful collared doves to go with and a variety of other birds like blackbirds thrushes and starlings. At the same time my family of goldfinches had grown in number and the niger seed feeder was depleting at an incredible rate daily. The upshot of mixing my own feed by almost eliminating the wheat content and increasing the sunflower kernels is that the adult goldfinches are now eating sunflowers seeds and the sunflower seeds are attracting other finches. According to my copy of Birds of Britain I think I may have a female Siskin joining the goldfinches for their feed. Anyone care to confirm?

 

[Topper]

First butterfly of the season at mine:-

 

[Channel Hopper]

A white cat has moved into the garden, and is most likely staying under the tarpaulin at the back.

She is slowly getting used to humans close by.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Noisy day and night though.

 

[jeallen01]

Noisy day and night though.

Not opened and listened to the zipped file, but I somewhat suspect that that cat is a "he", and not a "she", and is "calling" to attract a mate - which you/we really don't want as that will result in lot's more feral kittens (and they then "grow"!).

If possible "capture" it and get it neutered (if you can find a vet to do that ATM) to avoid those future problems - especially if the "other half" decides to also take up residence in your garden!

PS: we had male cats for over 2 decades - and that's the result if you don't get them neutered!

 

[4wd]

A corner of my garden in F, spring coming along nicely.

 

[4wd]

A large moth with an attitude

 

[Topper]

Sad day in our household, a further death to report. My family of goldfinches were spooked by a cat when feeding this morning, they shot of in all different directions and one flew into the kitchen window and broke it's neck

 

[william-1]

Sad day in our household, a further death to report. My family of goldfinches were spooked by a cat when feeding this morning, they shot of in all different directions and one flew into the kitchen window and broke it's neck

Terrible news

 

[Channel Hopper]

Today's insect count in the house. I've seen a number of completely black bees in the garden as of late, never noticed them before.

 

[Topper]

Also saw a couple here, and I have never seen completely black bees before even in bee sanctuaries, I did wonder if they were Chinese spy drones

 

[Channel Hopper]

I did search and the most likely is the carpenter bee. Not a pollen spreader and possibly troublesome, but the one I got rid was just interested in the pen.

 

[Topper]

Ok need an ID please, this has defeated myself and my sister. I was given a small plant 12 months ago when a neighbour moved out and went to a house without a greenhouse. It has a marker tag which says bee plant and last year on the patio it just had big hand sized leaves which stung the back of your hand a bit if you accidently touched it. It grew to 2ft tall. This year no big leaves but plenty of flowers as shown and grew to 4ft tall. I have checked with google and a couple of books but have drawn a blank. Any ideas what it is?

 

[Lazarus]

@Topper Could be Symphytum Caucasium.

 

[Topper]

@Topper Could be Symphytum Caucasium.

Thanks for that, I received no notification of your response for some reason, however in all honesty I do not think that is it, so I will continue searching

 

[william-1]

I think it may be this one,

 

[Topper]

Well done William, my sister also found it finally, it is a wild flower actually, but great for bees, although vibrant blue is pushing it a bit as a description

Viper's-bugloss | Wildflower Garden plant selector | The Wildflower Garden

Plantlife is the organisation that is speaking up for our wild flowers, plants and fungi. From the open spaces of our nature reserves to the corridors of government, we’re here to raise their profile, to celebrate their beauty, and to protect their future.

plantlife.love-wildflowers.org.uk

How To Grow Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare, Blueweed) - Gardening Channel

by Matt Gibson Viper’s bugloss is an odd-looking flower that’s important to grow in your flower garden if you care about bees. Its thick stem is covered in black spots and spiky hairs. Vibrant blue trumpet-shaped flowers are highlighted by red tongue-like filaments. The blossoms produce an...

www.gardeningchannel.com

 

[william-1]

A wild Forget-me-not.

 

[Llew]

I did have some, but composted them. I assumed they were a weed