Today I shall be Mainly...

[Sue]

Morning all

Would you believe it, we were so tired last night after our pond works that we forgot to switch on the wildlife camera and it happened again, container on the ground, all 4 fatballs missing .

Yes Stanley a big job, the pond occupies the part of the garden that could only be described as a bog, before its existence. This is also the reason for the large paved area rather than a lawn. I moved my potted plants before Kath came, we all had a cuppa then Bob set to trying to get out the plants and animals. We filled a small paddling pool with the waterlilies which eventually he had to saw through to get out, job completed after lunch, by which time it was definitely a two Hayter job.

Bob ladled out mud and I dispersed it round the garden, at the same time rescuing as many small animals as we could . We ended up with two buckets full of water and animals and at least 40 buckets of smelly mud dug into the garden round key plants such as roses , peony, veggies and fruit trees. Lots of tea was consumed during the process. As Bob reached the bottom clay started to squelch into the liner in about three places, ie the leaks . The hardest job was fitting the under lay which was really just a large fibrous sheet that had to be laid in two overlapping strips . The actual liner went in easily. Then whilst the pond filled we had a beer. We half filled it washing the buckets etc in the running water, replaced some of the pebbles, the plants and animals and swept up. It was after 6.00 pm. We were hot, tired , hungry and very very dirty. There were no expected lashing thunderstorms to complete the filling despite having had numerous yellow warnings from the met office.

This morning Bob will trim the liner and measure up for the top stones. We shall use bricks temporarily. Then its a well deserved lunch out with Wendy and Keith. We still have to replace the rest of the pebbles, some marginal plants , and the various stones that hold the liner in place at the marginal garden edge . A job well done.

Have a good day all

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[Sue]

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[Stanley]

I like the pics, especially the one of Bob and the beer, he certainly deserves it. Now we all have to cross our fingers that there are no further leaks. I know you will already be doing that.



This was closing time, just before doing the early hours shopping. Almost finished, just a couple of tidying up jobs left to do. They will depend on whether the varnish has set tomorrow, this close weather is bad for drying times.

[Big Kev]

Would you believe it, we were so tired last night after our pond works that we forgot to switch on the wildlife camera and it happened again, container on the ground, all 4 fatballs missing .

They're smarter than the average bear, I reckon they knew it was off

[Sue]

Would you believe it, we were so tired last night after our pond works that we forgot to switch on the wildlife camera and it happened again, container on the ground, all 4 fatballs missing .

They're smarter than the average bear, I reckon they knew it was off

We will try again tonight

[Stanley]

I'll take a view on the engine, might need another day for the varnish to harden. I have other fish to fry.....

[Sue]

Morning

Here we go again, camera switched on and no action. The fat balls are still hanging undisturbed.

Good day yesterday, pilates in the morning then just time for a shower and a cup of tea before we went out for lunch, in my case a nice rump steak salad. Wendy and Keith came back for a chat afterwards and did not leave till after 5.00 pm. Another cup of tea ( its thirsty work all this talking) then in the absence of any rain I got out the hosepipe and watered the garden again, hosing down the muddy side of the new pond liner as well. In the morning Bob trimmed the liner and replaced the pebbles and the rest of the gravel, so the bulk of the work is now done. In the evening we had a long zoom chat with our friends Jean and Bob

Whilst sitting in the afternoon we saw a small blackbird was in the pond floundering and trying to get out. It was clearly in distress. I managed to get it out with our little pond net but it was very stressed and bedraggled. I gave it a handful of food and after an hour it seemed to have gone but in fact it had crawled under the edge of the pond liner. By 9.00 pm it appeared dead. We will investigate this morning . I felt really sad about this, I had done all I could. It looked injured and I was concerned I had done it but on reflection perhaps it was already injured and had fallen into the pond.

This morning is dance exercise followed by zoom craft, no plans for the afternoon but I have promised a few plant cuttings for friends so I may do those and pot them up . At teatime Bob is off to the Model engineers meeting at the park where they are having a two hour ‘mid summer steam up’ . Ie just playing

Have a good day all

[Big Kev]

Here we go again, camera switched on and no action. The fat balls are still hanging undisturbed.

[Sue]

Here we go again, camera switched on and no action. The fat balls are still hanging undisturbed.

I know ....I know !

[Stanley]

Sorry to hear about the bird Sue but it sounds to me as though something had attacked it and the pond saved it. Whatever, nature red in tooth and claw. It upsets me as well.



Kahara's engine is ready for him and sat on the table.

[Sue]

There was only part of a wing of my little bird this morning. As you say Stanley, nature, but at least it was already dead

[Stanley]

Pottering in the shed and musing on the fat ball problem.

[Sue]

Morning

The camera was on, the fat-ball container has gone. I can’t see from the bedroom window where it is. I shall report later.

I did mu usual Friday stuff in the morning and in the afternoon I took numerous plant cuttings to nurture in the greenhouse. These are for friends and the garden at the model railway . I did a bit of sewing but with little enthusiasm. We were going out to buy the top stones for the wall of the pond but you will never believe this. As we we were locking up the locking system failed on the conservatory door. Not the lock this time but the gear system and bars of the door. The door lock worked but the handle was permanently up and would not open the door . We managed to get someone out which was good for a Friday afternoon. He will be back this morning to replace the part .

So its off to Bacup market sharpish to be back in time for the door specialist. After lunch we are off to Preston to see Claire and family.

Have a good day

[Stanley]

My mother used to say that things come in threes Sue so you have another lock associated trauma heading for you.....



I've had a nice morning pottering in the shed and making progress. Cutting a simple groove like this isn't as easy as it looks! Breakfast now and then second sleep.

[Big Kev]

The camera was on, the fat-ball container has gone. I can’t see from the bedroom window where it is. I shall report later.

It's like a suspense thriller, I can't wait

[Sue]

Well no definite proof, at 5.20 am tge container was there and a jackdaw. At 5.23 am neither. Next question how does one bird move 4 large fat-balls from a container. Next episode about to be filmed...watch this space.

However dies anyone know this

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bird

[Wendyf]

My vote would be for a young starling.

[Sue]

My vote would be for a young starling.

Far too big, wrong colouring, we have loads of starlings, not like this, its at least 7-8 long. My book suggests this flycatcher

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but the breast is the wrong colour, too dark

[Sue]

Hmm just seen photo of juvenile starling but it is twice the size of any other starlings we have which arrive on mass, 8 at a time

[Wendyf]

I think flycatchers are sparrow size or smaller.

[Stanley]

It looks like a mocking bird to me but can that be possible in Rochdale?

[Tripps]

I think you may be right. Just found a report, and photos of one seen in Newbiggin in May this year.

Take care who you tell - it might attract loads of twitchers.

"Alan Tilmouth takes up the story: "I arrived early into Newbiggin on Friday morning knowing the magnitude of the sighting and wanting to ensure that, if possible, the bird could be seen by the hundreds that would want to visit."

Mockingbird

[Sue]

There seem to be a few similar birds

[Tripps]

Well - I've been through my 'Illustrated Guide to British Birds' (I knew it would come in handy one day) but I'm not much wiser. It seems quite a large bird compared to the height of nut cage and the nearby hovering sparrow. The only one that looks anything like it was the Woodlark which at 6" is a bit small.

I really wanted it to be aLancashire Finch or Twite if only for the name, but maybe not.

The book doesn't mention the Mockingbird at all though.

Send the photo to the Twitcher site - someone there will know - then charge to come in the garden.

[plaques]

What about something smaller still. Ants, Cockroaches, I would rule out Dung Beetles though.