Garden Wildlife UK

Today I had a pair of Blackbirds investigating the ivy on my front garden wall where the last nest tragically failed. I will be keeping a close eye on proceedings to see if another nest is started.

I had a bit of a go to cut mine back last autumn as they've big elbows pondside and tend to shunt the other plants out the way. But nevertheless they're back again this year. I posted a piccy of one of them in the photo section.

Beautiful flowers. A big well done to the council as long as they cut down the mowing to help the flowers and not just a money saving exercise.
Cynical Moi

Humming again today. One of the hummers.

A Ferret is a domesticated Polecat with some fancy colours through breeding. Some parts of the country have colonies of black Squirrels. Mainly in the areas bordering East Anglia.

I have read somewhere that it is the presence of iodine in the water that governs the rate that the Tadpoles mature. Mine usually do mature but sometimes it is getting towards autumn before they try to leave the pond.

If it was dark coloured it may have been a Polecat or a Mink.

Placido wrote:I've just googled that - I've seen them very occasionally on my pond. Now I know the name !!
Maybe the sunshine brought it out ??

You're probably right as they are very active on warm sunny days

You're a little behind the curve up there in the outer west mids. Mine has been in blossom for about a week now and is growing outwards like crazy.

My Tadpoles continue to grow but as yet I haven't seen one with legs.