h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

No rush WS! We'll still be here - Don't take on too much at once.

Mon 21st March 2011. Officially 1st day of Spring here, and I think the birds know too.

I had two jays, two chaffinches and two greenfinches. I am excited about the latter as they have been very scarce around here since a virus hit large parts of the country killing them off. I also have two bullfinches (at least), two blackbirds, two dunnocks, two magpies and a single collared dove. Things are livening up. Must order a re-stock of food soon!!

Camera is out tonight and I will try and take a good look at videos soon to see if there is anything interesting.



Websailor

Just spotted what looked like two more videos on Flickr; but have not had time to look yet.

Wed 23rd Mar. 2011

Weather: Stunning, hot and sunny all day but frost back again at the weekend apparently

The camera wasn't sufficiently charged to put out last night, and didn't the badgers know it They have 'raked' a big patch of lawn around the stone table and made a real mess. I have no idea which one was responsible, but the lawn needs aerating anyway Well that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!

Today has been another shed clear day, removing all the evidence of 'furry varmints' squatting in there over the winter No nest or anything. I think they just take cover to eat, safe from the badgers, foxes and . Mixed with droppings were lots of peanut skins

It is the first time the shed has been afflicted in over 40 years and it is down to neglect as I had other things to think about

I am getting quite a lot of birds coming in pairs though today they were very cross as I was out there and had stuff all over the place! My bird food order came in two lots today (what a waste of fuel) and I have to say that along with other foodstuffs, the prices have rocketed!! I think I will have to ration more tightly at least for a while.

None of my wishes for the Budget materialised , unless you call a 'temporary' penny off the fuel a result. That isn't going to encourage my sons to visit more frequently is it

Back soon, the camera is out tonight so I will check tomorrow for any bad behaviour and put it on Flickr.



Websailor

WS - can you remember the name of that free website we spoke of for when this goes belly up? I have forgotten

Scorp, I am sorry I can't. The brain isn't functioning brilliantly at the moment, too many things on my mind. Will check back through the thread if I get time and let you know. I think it was mentioned on here wasn't it?

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Fri. 25th Mar 2011
Weather: Grand Spring day again

Also found out my eyesight is 'pretty good for my age' which is a relief. Still costing an arm and a leg though!!

The camera is out tonight, and as luck would have it the other night, they must have known they weren't being watched as someone ripped up part of the lawn. So far no more damage has been done.

Had quite a lot of birds today, and the first nuthatch for quite a while, unless I am just not up early enough in the mornings, which is quite likely



Websailor

Hello there Websailor! It's good to hear some news for you. It's great that you have nuthatches there! Over here we don't have any, but we have a few woodpecker species, and also barbets.

What I am quite happy about over here is that for the first time it seems the Sparrowweavers are coming into my garden! These used to be birds only found in the 'wild' bush, but they've been moving into parks in town and it seems now my garden is wild enough for them. And they're quite tame, they can be approached to about a couple of yards. I'll see if I can take a photo of one of them!

That sounds interesting. I shall look forward to a photo Willem.

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Sat. 26th Mar 2011
Weather: Cold and grey as forecast. Very strange it seemed. Has volcano blown somewhere, it felt that funny cold?

Haven't had time to view videos or watch birds today as I have been out all day, which makes a change

However, some naughty brock has dug yet another patch of lawn up. Nigel says it is because I am not feeding them two dishes, only one!!!

I really must go and sort it out tomorrow, I wanted the lawn aerated but that is a bit much. At least PHM isn't hear to shout at me!! I can feel his vibes though.



Websailor

Sounds to me as if Tommy Brock is aireating it for you WS

Sure is, there is no more damage this morning! Must go out and sort it out and put a notice up 'Leave the grass alone'

'Tisn't a posh lawn so I am not too worried. I bought some Canadian (tough) grass seed last year and it did well. It will be interesting to see if it does good this year.

Must rush, back later. Have loaded video clips but no time to look at them at the moment



Websailor

Tue. 29th Mar 2011

Weather - Sunny spells and showers but mild.

I sorted the lawn out yesterday and left stern words for the badgers Two came, and three foxes but the lawn stayed the same. Perhaps they were just checking to see if I was still supervising

Had a collared dove today along with the usual birds, but two goldfinches came which put a smile on my face. I am not sure why but they always brighten my day, maybe because they look more exotic than most of our birds.

The camera is out again tonight so it remains to be seen if they plough up any more grass or the same patches or leave it alone. Rain brings the worms up so you never know



Websailor

I've just sorted my front lawn out today as well - WEED KILLERbut now a slight threat of rain

That's typical isn't it? We had light showers here overnight but nothing much.

I won't use weedkillers for obvious reasons.

Thu. 31st Mar 2011
Weather: very mild and damp overnight.

Something strange happened last night, and as happens the camera wasn't out I put some sweet potato with the badger food and they usually like it.

Well, last night something did, all the sweet potato went but the rest of the food wasn't touched! Now were they disturbed, did the foxes eat it? I just don't know. They usually empty the dish!

Anyway, camera is out tonight so I will see if the dine with us tonight


Websailor

we had the rain

Couldn't get in to my account with h2g2 yesterday. Seems to have been sorted after a complaint!

Badgers and foxes still coming and no more digging has been done .... so far!!

The jays have been busy today, it is amazing the effect a few peanuts have!!

Back as soon as I can,

Have a lovely Mother's Day, those of you to whom it applies.



Websailor

how dare they keep you out (how do you spell errumph! ??)

Not for long they didn't - wouldn't dare.

Have had a very busy Mum's Day with family so will do a double diary tomorrow. Too tired tonight and haven't seen the video clips yet.



Websailor

Loved the most recent videos WS. As an aside, I got your please identify yourself message; and would just say that I know you are aware of my real name, there are others around (not from H2G2)who I don't want to keep pestering me. So! I use my middle name and maiden name elsewhere to confuse the natives. Sorry.

Ah, thank you Scorp. I didn't want to be stroppy but I am very fussy who I add as a friend or whatever of FB and I couldn't place you.

Will remedy that now

Not stroppy - extremely sensible