Michael

Sparrow Hawk ????  

Hmmmm………..O.K. must admit that I have been called cheeky on numerous occasions. But with my tired old eyes, a second opinion is always most welcome. Thanks Chris, justified or not, I’m humbly and sincerely flattered.

Yes........female Pochard it is, thanks for your help.

This tired little soul arrived today. Can anyone identify it please? [IMG]http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z195/Twinkle3000/DSC_0070.jpg[/IMG] Seasonal greetings to all.

I think the answer to your question, to a large extent, is in your last paragraph. It makes so much difference when you feed the birds on a regular basis. We have been here just over two years and my garden bird species list is now fifty. Whilst inevitably, numbers will vary from area to area, I never saw this variety where we lived in rural U.K.

Thought I did Chris but......... having seen a buzzard kill a rabbit in our field? Mind you, it could have been a youngster or poorly. I sneaked out with my telephoto lens, but it saw me and all that was left was some fur. As regards the chickens, I hope you are right, at least I should get my buzzard photo at long last. When the buzzard flew from the apple tree, it was amazing to see the chickens race back to their house, innate instincts still intact, despite their miserable lives to date.  

We recently acquired a dozen battery hens and they are thoroughly enjoying their new free range environment. However, I'm getting a little nervous as our local buzzard population, who up to now have been quite timid, appear to be showing an interest in our chickens. On at least two occasions I have surprised a buzzard sitting in one of our apple trees, apparently observing the chickens roaming the orchard. Has any one heard of a buzzard attacking chickens, or am I worrying unnecessarily?

Beautiful picture of a Pyramidal Orchid. How about this one Chris? I think I know what it is, but a second opinion would be welcome. Flowered in May. [IMG]http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z195/Twinkle3000/LadyOrchid.jpg[/IMG]

Soooooooo sad........and just the tip of a terribly egotistical iceberg.  

O.k. John........don't rub it in. [:D] Here's proof [:D] [IMG]http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z195/Twinkle3000/Lambs.jpg[/IMG]    

Linnet ?  

Would have agreed John........till I got up this morning and saw 3" snow outside. Still snowing now. [:D]  

Quite understand Chris, perhaps one day. thanks for replying.  

Hmmmmm........Michaelmas daisy, how apt. Thanks Cathy and Framboise, don't suppose you happen to know the French name?

I was amazed last summer how this plant attracted the butterflies and would like to get some more. Any gardening buffs know the name of it please? [IMG]http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z195/Twinkle3000/600PL.jpg[/IMG]  

Hi Chris, your price for peanuts is very good. Would it be very difficult to arrange delivery? I for one would be delighted to pay these charges. Good for the birds and good for Planete Passion coffers. I bring mine over from the UK. Believe it or not we used 60 kilos this winter. That's in feeders and not just free feeding on the bird tables, which I don't like doing. Whilst on the subject, how about nyjer seed?  

Hmmmmm..........brambling perhaps?

“Nature is part of our humanity, and without some awareness and experience of that divine mystery man ceases to be man. When the Pleiades and the wind in the grass are no longer part of the human spirit, a part of very flesh and bone, man becomes, as it were, a kind of cosmic outlaw, having neither the completeness and integrity of the animal nor the birthright of a true humanity.”   H. Beston    

Best wishes on this venture Chris, sounds very interesting, wish I was a bit closer.

Stunning picture.........love the daisy's too.

Try www.vivara.fr they deliver.  

Sorry Chris.........cleaned them up three days on the trot and nothing today. Will email pics if they return. Thankfully, frogs disappearing now.

Thanks Chris..............research here I come. Mooky......... love the Snakeshead Fritillary, what a beautiful plant. Would love to see one here. 

Hello Pads......I wish I knew. It was even worse last Spring, mounds of bodies all over the lake. I guess it is either american mink or coypu. I know that coypu are vegetarian, but possibly they will eat meat, especially in winter, when fresh green growth is in short supply. I have seen coypu caught in traps baited with just meat and the bait was always eaten. Who can say that they will not resort to an abundant food supply, particularly when hungry. Unfortunately, both species are not indigenous and shouldn't be here. Very sad.

It's good to see our toads and frogs returning to spawn, but for the second year running, we are finding mutilated bodies everywhere. Single bite marks, half eaten and most collected in to small piles/larders. Saturday found a mound of five bodies together with 20 or so acorns. Removed them and then Sunday morning the mound had returned to exactly the same place. Sad.