RSPB Garden Birdwatch and Snowdrops

 

We took part on Sunday in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch - we did initially try to do it on Saturday but it was very sunny and as the garden faces south it was too bright to see much of the garden so the first attempt was abandoned after a few minutes.

We saw 15 species which is more than we have seen in recent years. Usually the birds disappear during the hour you do the survey but this year there were loads around.

We saw the following :

Great Tit x 3

Blackbird x 4

Goldfinch x 7

House Sparrow x 2

Dunnock x 2

Blue Tit x 3

Coal Tit x 1

Robin x 1

Wood Pigeon x 4

Redpoll x 4

Collared Dove x 1

Carrion Crow x 1

Magpie x 1

Long Tailed Tit x 4

Goldcrest x 1

No signed of the Ring Necked Parakeets though!

Redpoll were the real highlight - we usually see them in the silver birch trees in the garden but on Sunday they actually came to the feeders. Goldcrest was the second sighting this year - it forages in climbers on the patio arch and in the Christmas Tree we have in a pot.

I look forward to reading what other bloggers have seen this year.

Thankfully, after a week on penicillin and, touch wood, cellulitis has disappeared for now so yesterday we popped to Coleshill to visit "Books Revisited" - a second hand charity bookshop that D and I both love.

I always park by the church so we walked back via the churchyard.

I love this Silk Tassel Bush.

St Peter and St Paul - Coleshill Parish Church

There were lots of crocus buds in the churchyard but I couldn't see any snowdrops so we stopped off at Castle Bromwich churchyard where I know they will flower in January.

It is always a treat to see the first snowdrops of the year and I hope I can visit more local churchyards next month and find more.

I bought myself a lovely bunch of rainbow tulips to brighten the hall.

In other news D passed his driving test first time last Saturday.  I really am proud of him because these days with all the traffic on the roads it is not the easiest thing to pass.

All photos were taken with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera (D took the last snowdrop photo).  (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or one of my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks).

The Herefordshire Oak in 2024.

 

I thought again this year I would do a post showing photos of the Herefordshire Oak from March until November last year.

mid March

mid April

end of April

Hurrah a sign of budburst :)

May

The Oak in all its glory :)

June

July

End of August

September

October

mid November

Signs of autumnal tints at last.

End of November

But two weeks later when we returned the leaves had all gone! 

I am sorry for lack of posts but at New Year I went down with cellulitis yet again and last Friday it returned. So it is back on penicillin yet again :(  I really am rather fed up with it as it means I can't get out and about and can't even get on top of housework so when I get better I can go somewhere.

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks).

Recent Reading

 

I realised recently I hadn't done a post for ages on "recent reading". So here are the books I have read since last September.

I always enjoy the DCI Banks series by the Peter Robinson.

I am enjoying re-reading some of the Agatha Christie books - I first read her books when I was a teenager a long long time ago! I particularly enjoy the Miss Marple books.

For some reason it took me months to read this book. It is a series of articles that the author wrote for the Independent Newspaper on gardening. I must admit I enjoyed some of the articles more than others!

 I read the Isle of Wight murders from this boxed set - an island I know well!  Very readable although this is not my favourite crime series if I am honest.

Who can resist an Elly Griffiths book?  I loved this book and just could not put it down. Highly recommended! :)

This was a book my son bought for his kindle.  I read it around the time of Halloween and really enjoyed it.  I think the author is writing a book about Christmas which I look forward to.

Back to Elly Griffiths - a collection of stories featuring some of the main characters from her books such as Max Mephisto, Detective Kaur and of course Ruth and Nelson!!!!  I do miss the Ruth Galloway books!

Elly Griffiths again - as always this was a great book.

I've attended many of James Wright's talks on zoom and have enjoyed them all so I just had to buy this book.  The author, who is a Building Archaeologist researches and examines some of the "myths" surrounding historic buildings to reveal the truth behind "Leper's" Squints, blocked North doors in churches, why staircases in castles were built in a certain direction, the use of ships' timbers in pubs and which is England's oldest public house etc.  A really well researched and well argued book which I found very interesting. If you like historic buildings I would recommend this book.

A new Nikki Galena book and just as enjoyable as the rest in the series. Another book I couldn't put down!

Two Almanacs which were Christmas presents in 2023 which I have been reading throughout the year. I particularly enjoyed the Tree Almanac and have treated myself to this year's.

This Ladybird book was a Christmas present and one I have wanted for ages.  You can learn a lot from these little books - I certainly did from this one! - even though they are meant for children.  I have What to Look for Outside the Church to read next :)

The Other Bennet Sister tells the story of Mary Bennet- the studious and only unmarried Bennet sister.  I really enjoyed this book - it seemed a bit slow to start with but once Mary had moved to stay with the Gardiners in London it was hard to put the book down! The writing style is very reminiscent of Jane Austen herself.

Finally, not a book but a dragon :) Made from a kit D had for Christmas.

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would appreciate an email first - thanks)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year.

Thanks to everyone who visits my blog especially those who leave comments.

I hope 2025 is full of adventures, books, churches and wildlife or whatever your particular interest is.

Light Show at Lichfield Cathedral

 

Last Saturday we all went to Lichfield to see the Light Show at the Cathedral.  It was a late birthday treat for me and a change from sitting in a crowded pub for a meal!

We arrived early and eventually managed to park. We went into the City Centre first to try and get a bite to eat but the pubs and cafes were packed - perhaps the Saturday before Christmas wasn't the night to go!  We ended up with chips and I had a Vegan Festive Roll from Greggs!  

A few of the lights in the city centre.

Lights around Stowe Pool

There was a charity Festive Tractor Run around Lichfield on the night we went.  It must have been running about an hour behind schedule as the tractors should have left the area by the time we got there but it was just starting.  Just a few photos- I managed to get an good vantage position to take pictures at first and then a rude woman with a mobile came and stood right in front of me to take her photos - I was livid!  

So onto the Light Show - it was arrranged by the cathedral in association with Illuminos and the theme was the "Twelve Days of Christmas.  It was a totally magical and spellbinding experience although sadly the photos can't convey it completely as the light show was constantly changing and there was music.

The first light show was at the Bishop's Palace - most of the photos were taken by my son as he is much taller than me and was able to get pictures without people in them by looking over their heads!

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Then onto the Cathedral where the final light show took place on the West Front. (Sorry about the silhouettes of people in the foreground in photos - there was nothing I could do about it).

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I just wish I had remembered that I can take movies with my camera!  Photos were taken with very high iso - I do have several night settings on my camera but I decided it was not the night to experiment.

Then into the cathedral where we were greeted by carols.

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There were dozens of trees in the Christmas Tree Festival. Here are photos of just a few.

I wanted to go to the Light Show last year but we never got round to it and I am so glad we made the effort and booked tickets this year. It was a wonderful evening out despite the crowds!!!  I would certainly like to go again another year but perhaps not the Saturday evening before Christmas!!

Photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix F330 bridge camera and those marked by *D taken by my son with the Canon SX50 HS bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks).