...of a white Christmas - it looks like a reality. Having moaned for the last few weeks that we hadn't had any snow, today it's bucketing down in Peterborough, so a 'whitey' on December 25 is a good possibility. As long as it hangs around for the next few days.
I'm not the only one that's pleased. Garden plants that have been suffering over the last few weeks because of the bitterly cold weather (down to -9.5C) are looking a little more perky - the snow will give them some insulation - and the temperature has reached a balmy 0.5C.
The winter conditions are costing me a fortune in bird food though, and I'm waiting for a delivery from the RSPB of high-octane suet treats, which the birds love. Hope it comes soon, otherwise it'll be like a scene from Hitchcock's The Birds next time I venture outside, as my feathered friends have come to rely on me for their winter repasts.
Recent additions to feeding time include a pair of mistle thrushes, who have become very brave over the last few weeks and now eat with the others from the table, which is just outside the back door.
The frenzy of bird activity at Hodge's Bird Bistro has encouraged another new visitor - a sparrowhawk, who has taken to devouring his dinner on a tree stump at the bottom of the garden.
Hope all your garden plants survive the winter, but I'm here for help and advice if there's anything worrying you.
Have a cool Yule and a happy New Year.
SEXIST TREE VALUATION ROCKS NATION
14 years ago
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I'm putting out 2 or 3 times as much food as usual, and we also have a resident Sparrowhawk. I've resigned myself to the fact that our feeding probably saves far more lives than the hawk takes, and apparently the regular presence of a Sparrowhawk is a good indicator of a healthy & biodiverse environment!
ReplyDeleteHi Bilbo
ReplyDeleteThat's good news about the sparrowhawk - pleased to know I'm biodiverse.
Geoff