Garlic Mustard

We have always preferred to call Alliaria petiolata “Jack-by-the-Hedge” rather than “Garlic Mustard”

It was only present in very small numbers when we arrived here but now it springs up in profusion all over the place

Which is good news as it is one of the main caterpillar foodplants of the Orange-tip butterflies who are out and about at the moment

(This one won’t be laying any eggs as the orange tips to its wings show it is a male)

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Here follow an addition for Tulip Maniacs. We can’t resist the Field of Tulips at the moment.

Is two a crowd?

There have been times in the past when we have had several hedgehogs visiting the feeding station each evening

Since the drought of 2018 we have had far fewer sightings. Not only did the parched ground make it hard for the hedgehogs to get their normal food supply but also they became a more sought after food supply by badgers unable to find worms. It was the only time we have seen badgers right up close to the house seeking sources of food.

So, we were pleased to spot hedgehog evidence recently

and were quick to make sure the feeding station was well supplied

Our camera trap showed a visitor coming several times each night, spread out of a number of hours

Although hedgehogs need and use a large range this one did not seem to roam far from its breakfast buffet very well appointed log pile bed

Then a couple of nights later we were pleased to see not one, but two

Even from the video we can’t decide if this behaviour is confrontational or potentially amorous

At last…

We have a number of wildlife cameras set up around Gribin Isaf. As well as being able to watch birds, hedgehogs and other independent creatures we can see the behaviour of our own livestock.

It all started with our nestbox camera which we bought quite a few years ago

Despite frequent relocations to find an acceptable setting, the bird population has stubbornly refused to make use of it. We have many normal boxes around the site which are filled every year – but not this one.

And then at last this year a Bluetit decided to move in

and produce eight eggs

This week they started hatching

The mother ate up the shells

and soon both parents were in attendance

Non stop in

and out

bringing food

to fill those gaping beaks

Out of the Ash…

The oldest tree at Gribin Isaf is a stately Ash, many years ago part of a hedgerow and now in its later years. As an elderly late riser, it sees no need to bother with leaves until well into the second half of May.

Despite this lack of cover and only being a few yards from the house we were not aware that one of the large horizontal branches held a secret until the Mistle Thrush brood were lifting their beaks above the parapet.

From that time it was only a few days before the adults were calling the young out of their nest

We watched as they tiptoed along branches

and perched precariously in different trees nearby

Food still had to be delivered

We think they all four survived, in spite of at first being a little nonplussed with the idea

Warbling

We can often hear Chiffchaffs and Warblers in our hedgerows but it is less often we get a good sighting. This Willow Warbler was making a loud defence of its territory today.

Lettuce with Tulip

The days are getting longer, the evenings are getting shorter.

Little time to spend with photos and computers.

So we are going to try and share one quick picture of the day:

The beds are full of lettuce and each day a bowl is part of our lunch. The orchard is full of tulips and some succumb to a passing beast, or even the weight of their own headiness, and come indoors to radiate before they perish.

(See, we are cheating already, not just one picture at all)