Two weeks later

Progress with the planting

This is the worst year for swallows in the 6 years we have been in Normandy; only seen three and none looking at our old nests. However, Merlin heard Golden Oriole this morning, an early migrant from Africa, a rare but increasing nester here.

Dandelions - we have a few! Last year I watched a pair goldfinches in the garden, eating the closed, developing seed-heads, when the seeds are softer than when they open with parachutes. What a plant! Oddly, not much seems to eat its leaves.

We just started making a new wildlife garden in 9m x 15m of our tall grass area, including the pond. We are planting by dividing perennials. There are hedges on two sides, we will hedge the other two with privet (it’s cheap) and hazel (we are growing the bare-root plants from winter prunings).

We have a pair nesting in the top of our birch tree. They are shy but are often bouncing around in the garden when we are inside looking out. They do scare the small birds, though.

After watching the Dave Goulson video I bought some air-drying modelling clay and made two nests, using plant pots rather than making timber boxes. Quick and easy. We will see if our HFFBs like them!

Pond year 2: This winter I removed all plastic pots and baskets from the pond - eventually plastic gets everywhere. The marginal plant rootballs should root into the felt covering the waterproof layer.

Deciding when to cut grass can be tricky, probably before this, which was full of insects. It was lovely to walk the path and peer in. Patches of different heights are best IMHO

Well, would you believe it? (Yes) Today’s The Observer paper, front page and p10, reported their investigation into collaboration between Fakebook and online gambling web sites illegally capturing user IDs and information and then Fb use it to push gambling adds at those vulnerable to them. p1:

and when we stop cutting our lawns frequently … nature returns