Saturday 2 February 2013

Gone...

...January, that is. It seemed to pass very quickly. One of the things I enjoy during January is putting food out for the birds and watching to see who visits. So far this winter we have seen:-

Many... sparrows, jackdaws, starlings
Some... dunnocks, chaffinches, blue tits, great tits, coal tits,
A pair of... robins, collared doves.
A solitary... thrush, wood pigeon
The occasional... magpie
One time only... a wren, a bullfinch, a redwing.

I have had a feeder with nyjer seeds out for about two weeks now to attract goldfinches, but it hasn't worked. The sparrows eat the seeds but only if all the other feeders are empty.

Here are some of the sparrows sitting on the branches of the white lilac tree enjoying the sunshine.

To get the blackbirds and thrush to visit I put out apples.

 I like the star in the centre of the apple when it's cut across its middle.

And I like the pecked effect too.

This winter, to my knowledge, the cat has not caught any birds. So much better than last year. Then I think it was a novelty, now she likes to spend most of the day sleeping.

Also in January we are treated to some lovely wintry skies. Cue lots of pretty sky photos, all taken from the back door or thereabouts...

 
 
 
 
 
 

And now it's February. Already the days feel lighter though Spring is still a long way off. I have another interview at the end of February - same course, different location. I should find out how I did in my January interview by this Friday. Thank you to all who wished me well, it is much appreciated. I've been in my current employment for eight years now - the pay and hours are rubbish but it's been great fun (I'm a "full time Mum" for anyone new). It's time to move on as my youngest will be starting school in August. I mentioned I was concerned about childcare juggling, I'd rather not leave the children in care + school from 8am till 6pm five days a week, so we'll see what we can work out...

Before I finish, here are a few more random January scenes before it's too late...
 

And last, but not least...




 ...one of our craft group members had a little baby girl in November. We finally got the blanket finished a week or so ago. We didn't know at first whether it would be a boy or a girl, we found out soon enough to add a few squares of pink. It's a mixture of knitting and crochet and the squares were made by different people - there was much swapping of balls of wool and completed squares at the school gates. Originally it was to have been solid blocks of colour, but that was considered too boring - people wanted to play with patterns. I think it's worked out really well, it's certainly one of a kind!



12 comments:

Louise said...

I've really enjoyed these photos, they're so beautiful. I like the format you chose for the bird sightings list too, many, some, a pair etc. is a nice way to summarise.

The blanket is lovely and does have a nice personal touch - certainly one of a kind, I'm sure it will be well used and loved!

Just caught up on your previous post and I hope the interview went well and the next one goes well too. Good luck with whatever you want to do! I'm sort of in the same position - trying to sort out my career and have a couple of interviews lined up, but I do so badly in them as I get so nervous I forget what I should say or can't find the right words and end up looking stupid!

Neighborhood Watch said...

Funny, I just posted today about birds too. We have some regulars you would probably love to see, and I know you have some "same olds" I'd love.
Your orangey sky is just beautiful!
I went back to full time work when my youngest was in 2nd grade (7 years old). It was very hard to do because I loved being an at home mom. But he took it all as a matter of course. Good luck to you in your endeavor.

Mereknits said...

Gorgeous photos and beautiful blanket. Good luck on your next interview, you will be fantastic.
Hugs to you,
Meredith

Lyn said...

Another beautiful post, I do love coming to visit!
That blanket will I'm sure be cherished, what a thoughtful gift.
I am so looking forward to spring, the snowdrops are out already! Xxx

Rattling On said...

I get lots of goldfinches on my feeder. Where did you put yours? They like to be well away from the other birds, mine is in the hawthorn hedge at about head height. Maybe moving it might help?
Love the blanket as well!!

Anonymous said...

Lovely images and prose. What type of Sparrows did you get? I haven't seen Tree Sparrows for ages.

Good luck in the interview!

Mairéad said...

It's so rewarding feeding the birds, isn't it. I have feeders close to t he kitchen window and I really enjoy watching them, although I don't think we've got as as many different visitors as you do.
Lovely sky pics. And good luck with the interview.135

Ladybird Diaries said...

Really beautiful pictures. Love the baby blanket it looks wonderful.
M xxx

Gillian Roe said...

Fabulous sky photos, they are wonderful. We've also had some vivid sunsets and sunrises and yes, the days are slowly getting longer.

I am also a stay at home mum/homemaker whatever you want to call it and my youngest also starts school in September. I am not ready to go back to work!! Seriously, I have no idea what I will do. Well done you for getting your act together and making some plans.

Gillian x

Mrs. Micawber said...

Love that sparrow photo ... there's something so appealing about bare branches full of little perching birds.

The sky photos are stunning, and the pecked apple looks like a fantastic piece of pottery.

I must have missed your last post - shall have to go back and read it. Good luck with the interview. :)

Annie Cholewa said...

I do envy you all those birds, despite living in the depths of rural Wales hardly any seem to visit our garden, what with the whippets and the lure of the crops in the fields across the way.

Beautiful sky images :D

Beth of The Linen Cat said...

Beautiful photos and what a fab baby gift, I think the jumble of patterns and colours look really great together. I'm done with cold weather, which is not like me normally, but I'm ready for some Spring sunshine. Bethx (thelinencat)

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