Forum Topic

In my garden ...

Sarah Felstead ● 6191d11 Comments

Which "ancient hedgerows" in Osterley have been removed ? And when ?I can't think of anything very significant in the last 30 years - but I'm probably wrong !I keep thinking that it is about time that the "new hedgerow" (along the east side of the green next to the Wyke Green entrance lodge to Osterley Park) was properly laid. I can remember seeing that being planted.....

Tim Henderson ● 6147d

Yesterday afternoon, hearing mad squawking from the tree in our neighbour's garden, I got out there just in time to see what appeared to be a sparrowhawk chased by two shrieking jays, one of which then perched nearby and carried on making noise. It was all very dramatic.

Holly Hodges ● 6148d

Yes, we have a feeder full of niger seed and that may have tempted them, but they seem to prefer being in the tree. I think they are a bit shy too. They pick for a moment at the seed and they go straight back into the foliage.I saw a coal tit out there yesterday. I think there must be some tasty insects after the damsons.

Holly Hodges ● 6190d

Dear Dan.:-)

Sarah Felstead ● 6190d

Philippa, the stag beetle is protected and as we are in an area (or were) where the stag beetle was a common sight, it is a wonder we don't have our own Borough wide survey of species such as this.  There used to be loads up in Osterley where the ancient hedgerows were removed.Having googled 'stag beetles' - 'after' placing the beetles near the woodpile ... we realise we may have just given them a few hours grace as the fox cubs are digging under the woodpile, and foxes eat stag beetles!

Sarah Felstead ● 6190d

Holly, we bought a thistle feeder for the Goldfinches - the small hole stops the other birds from getting at the seed.http://www.gardenbird.com/Niger-Seed/Thistle-Feeders,default,sc.htmlhttp://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/goldfinch.htm

Sarah Felstead ● 6190d

Sarah - I'm surprised not to see an unlit skip in the background behind the beetles!

Dan Filson ● 6190d

Colin "batted" not "battered".  Do you go onto the computer when you are waiting for dinner?  You were dreaming of racing pigeon the other day.I haven't seen any stag beetles for years.  Aren't they Britain's biggest insect?  I know that they are an endangered species and are protected.Wasn't the Wildlife Trust running a project noting where they were found?

Philippa Bond ● 6191d

Sarah, that's brilliant. I hope they thrive. I have seen a few flying around in Clifden Road and in the little park in Lateward Road, but apparently they are becoming quite rare.We have seen several goldfinches in our garden this year, always in pairs, mainly in the damson tree, always busy eating insects.

Holly Hodges ● 6191d

Lovely in a nice tempura.

Colin Murphy ● 6191d

We now have two stag beetles placed carefully in the rotting wood pile.On my way back tonight I saw the first stag beetle flying up the road, in years.  They don't fly very high, just high enough to excite the mousing instincts of a cat and a short while later there was a very spritely cat jumping into the air to bat him down.  We collected him up and found a second one nearby, on the ground.

Sarah Felstead ● 6191d