@JOYSofGLASS that almost looks like it might be a fledgeling - incredibly early if it is but we have had a mild winter and warm spring. If they laid the eggs in early march its a 2 week incubation and then 2 more weeks til they fledge so it is possible.
1 Like
Yes it is a fledgling and I thought it was a bit early too. We generally have about 4 pairs nesting round the garden so weāre accustomed to the silly noise they make. Love them.
1 Like
You might get second or even third broods at this rate, they obviously know when they are on to a good thing. Mine are still nest building or sitting.
1 Like
my bunnies are 3 year old mini lops which i got for mothers day, The bigger rabbit doesnt try to escape when I go to catch them in the run to put in hutch but the smaller one is a wee escape artist and what a job i have at times trying to catch her! Our dog tries to help and as a last resort I will through a rug over her ! I have noticed sometimes that they wont eat certain vegetables that they normally eat and wonder if they are tasted with pesticides. I wash my veggies but never used to bother washing the rabbits veggies but I am now.
1 Like
Did I mention that when I have a spare minute and the ovenās on I make them pastry balls. Mr and Mrs Black /(s) love it. I use value flour, lard, dried fruit, grated cheese. Mix it all up in the mixer, add water, form into balls and bake it.
They usually form an orderly queue but if the thrush smells the cheese it gets there first and then thereās a fight !
2 Likes
Oh lovey! It still has the yellow around itās gape and a short tail 
Love Sam x
Hi Sasha! Iām afraid they wonāt come true from seed, but you can get some interesting colour and shape variations in the seedlings that werenāt present in the parents. The doubles are always infertile and have to be propagated from division, even if they do appear to have anthers and pollen. I tried it a few years ago and it wasnāt potent. Itās great to grow the seedlings on but they donāt reach flowering size for 2 to 3 years, so there is quite a long time lag before you get to see what youāve got. One of the seedlings from my plants turned out to be versicolour, that is dark red on the outside of the petal and white with veins on the inside, so itās worth doing if you have the patience!
Love Sam x
I donāt think I actually expected them to breed completely true, maybe a passing resemblance to one or other parent, Iāve got 12 different colour ways already scattered around the garden so whatās a few more. Canāt wait to see what they turn out like, loving the sound of the versicolour so fingers crossed for some of those.
1 Like
Expect almost anything! (as long as itās a bit pink 
)
Sam x
The magpies are trying to dismantle one branch at a time the (living) filbert tree outside my window and move it into the neighbourās apple tree to build a nest. The squirrel wonāt be happy with them if they succeed, he likes that tree (Iām less keen as the squirrel spends the autumn planting the filberts in my flower beds and I spend spring pulling them up).
1 Like
Little Devils! Just goes to show itās an ill wind that blows nobody good
Love Sam x
I think Iāve just discovered a toad in my mini pond this afternoon (Iāve posted it on FB already for some help with ID). Considering I think there are already a couple of frogs and two fairly large goldfish in there, itās getting a bit crowded I would get a larger one, but thereās no space really.
1 Like
Of course Stevie, everyone is welcome! Thatās a lovely shot of one of your comorants drying its wings.
Love Sam x
Yep thatās a toad! It just goes to show that all ponds are a great boon for wildlife and they all seem to rub along together ok!
Love Sam x
1 Like
Iāve loved looking through this thread and Iād like to add this photo. Iāve had a beautiful Goldfinch in my garden, I managed to get a few pics and a video 
2 Likes
Thanks Jan! I love goldfinches and you have taken a beautiful picture of you visitor. I have planted some teasels in my garden so maybe I will have some of these lovely little birds myself when the autumn comes!
Love Sam x
1 Like
Thereās all sorts in my garden slow worms, toads and frogs, newts, voles and mice (I know this because the cat brings them in!) We had a baby slow worm in the kitchen once. Lovely butterfly, might have been on the nature reserve behind my house
Pity I donāt have a picture that doesnāt include the hands of the man who left me three years ago!
2 Likes
Lovely slow-worm-another of my favourite animals. The butterfly is a comma-any hops near you as this is the host plant the caterpillars need to grow. As for the ex, it seems they are not an endangered species and can be released harmlessly into the wild
Love Sam x
It must be summer because the damselflies are back! Last year I had a very beautiful painted demoiselle as a visitor, but it was rather camera shy and I never got close enough for a shot. Here are this years flies so farā¦
Love Sam x
2 Likes
I have a little mouse who visits my garden 
, I managed to get a photo but not a very good one. Love the flutterby.
1 Like