Tuesday 12 May 2015

The Countryside is full of busyness.

Yes, there is no doubt about it, everything and everybody is busy in the countryside at this time of year.   There is so much to do, so much to look at, so much to think about - no time for boredom at all.

In March the Lesser Celandine put on a magnificent display of miniature suns, all over our front walled garden.   Some might call it a weed - but I like the definition of a weed as a plant that is growing somewhere it is not welcome.   Well, I say welcome every year to the Lesser Celandine.

But, sadly, it does outstay its welcome and has, over the past few weeks, become Persona Non Grata as it has taken over the front garden.   Every available empty space is now covered in tiny green leaves, shallow rooted but growing fast.   So the farmer has been all morning in the front garden with the hoe.  

I was watching him from the landing window and I saw what I have suspected for the last week.   A blue tit has nested in a hole in the garden wall.  There must be babies because mother and father have been so busy all morning, in and out, one after the other with never a pause.   It must be so exhausting and they were very aware of the farmer, only yards away, but soon lost their fear in their frantic effort to keep up the feeding.

Yesterday eleven young Holstein heifers came into the field next to the paddock.  It is one of the fields rented by our friend and neighbour A.   When he brought them yesterday morning a roe deer was feeding mid way down the field.  As he let out the heifers from their cattle carrier she saw them as they leapt and careered about for the sheer joy of being let out for the first time this year.   She took off like a jet plane, straight down the field, clearing the hedge at the bottom in one leap - and away.

Two pairs of yellow hammers are more or less a constant at our bird table - both Mr and Mrs are there  - another case of babies to feed I suspect.

What I want to know is how anyone like me ever gets any work done when there is so much to see from my kitchen window.   I think it is a jolly good job I have a cleaning lady and a dishwasher.

19 comments:

A Heron's View said...

As a dishwasher, I too have a cleaning lady Mrs H who lives with me :)

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

The flowering forget me notsw kind of took over from the celandine, which after a magnificent display this year seems to be over.

Barbara said...

I love the busyness of spring...but, you're right...it's SO distracting.

Joanne Noragon said...

My close up view of the care and feeding of young birds has been in the hawk rookery directly across the road from me. Mama and papa have no rest until that preprogrammed day in their brain when they leave. The little birds sit on branches for about a day demanding food, then they leave.

Heather said...

How wonderful to have yellowhammers visiting the birdtable. We have bluetits nesting just above our front door and I would love the think that the wren I see quite often might be nesting somewhere in the garden. We have celandine everywhere and the forget-me-nots are just beginning to look a bit scruffy so I must get out there and do some tidying. You are quite right about it being a lovely time of year with so many delightful distractions.

angryparsnip said...

I know what you mean. I have a huge window my my computer and I keep looking outside.
Sitting outside where the Century Plant is growing so tall. The branches are filled with birds just excited for the blooms to come and being able to sit and rest up so high.
But I have no cleaner yet but thank goodness for the dishwasher !

cheers, parsnip

Cloudia said...

Lucky for us you have time at the window :-)




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ALOHA from Honolulu,
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=

Cro Magnon said...

We have Blue Tits nesting in the front wall of the house, they've used the same nest for years. I have a feeling they're on their second brood.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for calling. It is at last a lovely day here today - sunshine and a light breeze - we have had so many windy showery days that today is a joy to behold.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

I've been enjoying reading your blog for some time now. Today's post was wonderful. I live in a very rural setting and I love when I catch glimpses of wildlife. Now that our spring has fully arrived in Ontario, there are many birds to watch. Unfortunately, the resident raccoon rips apart any bird feeders I put out. Sigh.

Gwil W said...

Pat, I'm pleased you have time to "stand and stare" as the W H Davies the poet famously said. Apropos birds I don't think I've ever heard so many cuckoos in the Vienna Woods as there are this year. They are driving me mad with all their cuckooing so I just wrote a little poem about them.

Hildred said...

What a lovely way to be distracted, Pat. I enjoy my nightly skype talks with my youngest son who lives on a Chilcotin meadow and has the most wonderful tales to tell about all the different birds and small wildlife that visit each day. Sometimes large ones, too - like Moose and Bears!!

Terry and Linda said...

I need a cleaning lady...that would be a true gift of time. The outside I will do, I like the outside!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/sherlock-boomer

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I have been incredibly focused on our birdbath. As I sit on the porch writing, splashes are my constant soundtrack. I love it.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Where are you??
Edward and I are missing posts!
xoxo

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

I hope you are well! I have been worried for days because you usually post everyday or only miss one or two in rare cases........Be well!

Galestorm said...

I too am worried about Weaver. I do hope all is well.

SandyExpat said...

I am a new reader and have worked my way thru previous years. I am also worried and check each day to see if you have posted. I do hope all is well.

Sandy

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for your concern everyone. See my new post!