Not a squirrel in sight!

This morning for over four hours not one squirrel showed itself! Plenty of Woodpigeons flew away on arrival but no squirrels. This is because they have eaten everything. They cannot get at the fatball holders for the birds now because the wire has been strengthened and they cannot reach down and get at them. They have moved on- for the time being.

Around the willow classroom is the biggest fairy toadstool ring that I have ever seen. Strangely all the toadstools seem to be on the outside of the classroom with just one or two inside.

The Strawberry bed has been moved. The plants will get more sunshine and warmth in the new position which should improve the crop. It will also be easier to cover and keep those hungry Blackbirds off the fruit as they forage about in the early mornings.

The new Strawberry bed

 

 

 

The strongest remaining colours in the garden come from the magnificent wind vanes constructed by Mrs Palmers' class during last term. Most of them have withstood the weather and still fly proud over the garden beds.

The magnificent wind vanes

 

 

Over the next few weeks we will be topping up the class beds with more top soil and also digging in some organic manure.All will be ready then for next Spring when the gardening starts again!

Those Living Stones

Just a couple of photographs taken this afternoon of the Living Stones.  The drop in temperature has spurred them into flower. Well worth a look if anybody passing by the greenhouse. The flowers do not last long

They will need re-potting next Spring and we can enjoy them again next autumn

A touch of gold!

Whilst easing the doors of the greenhouse earlier and removing the debris which had almost jammed the door shut the fabulous colours on the leaves of the pear tree nearby caught the eye.

Before starting work  on the greenhouse the net was set at the bird feeding station as a lot of Goldfinches could be heard in the tree tops.  Four birds were caught straight away.

Juvenile Goldfinch - red head feathers just appearing

Adult female Goldfinch - red feathers stop short of the back of the eye

Adult male goldfinch - red feathers stretch beyond the back of the eye

The bill of the Goldfinch is a wonderful piece of engineering. The bird can extract thistle and teasel seeds with this. As can be seen the tip is very fine with a very delicate point to it. Some of these birds could well be moving to France for the winter. We shall have to wait and see if anybody in France finds one of our 'Holy Trinity' birds

At the back wall there were a few fruits on the passion flower.  The plant responded well to a severe haircut back in the spring.

The Passion Flower

Passion Flower fruit

Finishing on a possible high note. Underneath the Passion Flower a small delicate antler like fungus was spotted.  This is one of the Ramaria type.  An evening with the field guide later is needed to sort this one out and identify the species. Some of these are rather rare!

The Ramaria fungus