Signs of Spring

That's a shame WS - but a great 'spot' for you.

My exciting news this morning, and I know this is everyday for everyone else but for the first time in as long as I can remember, I saw a Sparrow. It came to the feeder and sadly I disturbed it by going out to refill them all it then sat in the tree and watched me.

Fingers crossed it will be back again and with more Sparrows, it would be wonderful to know we have some here.

Lai

Isn't it lovely reading about all the lovely signs of Spring. We are seeing lots of baby bunnies here too and they always make me smile. If your driving at dusk you get to see loads of them as we have lots of fields around us.

Hope you get to see lots more of your Sparrow Lai.

littlewid-x-

Our Woodpeckers back, have'nt seen him for months, not since all the snow last November, and I'm sure I saw a Greenfinch as well. We have'nt seen a Greenfinch since we've been here. I know you get quiet a few different finches Lai, and we get loads of Sparrows perhaps we ough to share them out between us . Lots of Bunnies to LW, might see if I can spot the Hares again this weekend.
WS

It's funny isn't it how the birds are located, as you say WS we have finches a plenty but no sparrows, and woodpeckers are always around, sometimes 3 trying to get to the feeders which creates chaos.

Hope you get to see the Hares again, and Littlewid those baby bunnies are adorable but .........

I've been searching for the Sparrow this morning whilst topping up the feeders, but no sign as yet.

Lai

Some exciting news today is that our duck has laid about 13 eggs and is sitting on her nest (or should I say the flower bed) she has picked a very unsuitable place as although safe from foxes and our dogs etc it is where a lot of our wedding guests go for outside drinks. We have 3 weddings now, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and so we are going to have to keep that area off limits for now. I don't want to put up a sign, it is more likely to attract people to it so we are trying to cordon it off for safety reasons

How long do ducks sit on eggs? WS you know these things with Donald and Daisy, I may have a problem here

Lai

It all depends if the eggs are fertile Lai. Daist sat on her first lot for weeks, and weeks. So they had to be removed in the end so she would go back to feeding. She was starting to get whats called white beak, because she was stressed out. The second time when they hatched it was around a month.
Found this article hope it helps
Ducks usually incubate their eggs for about 28 days, but this is an instinctive response to an egg and birds will also incubate egg-shaped objects, such as golf balls and model eggs. They will lay infertile eggs if males have not mated with them and will lay fertile eggs if males have successfully mated with them.

The ducks will continue incubating the eggs until the eggs hatch. If your duck has been incubating the eggs for more than a month, there is a good chance that the eggs are infertile. Infertile eggs will never hatch. It is worthwhile checking if there is a duckling in each egg by holding the egg up to a light.

If the eggs are infertile, please remove them so that the duck can go back to feeding and leading a more productive life. Many zoos and aviaries remove eggs from a female bird and incubate them elsewhere. If the species is till in the breeding season, the female will mate again and lay another batch of eggs. This has enabled some species to increase their numbers, as zoos and aviaries enable a female to produce more young than she would normally achieve in the wild.

If the eggs are infertile, there are various things you can do with them. These include blowing the eggs to make ornaments, by decorating the eggs. I have seen decorated eggs at craft fairs and markets. You can also eat duck eggs or sell them.

WS

That's really helpful, thanks WS. I will make a note of the dates she laid them and keep an eye on them. It would be lovely to have some babies.

Lai

My favourite blossom

Beautiful

Lai

That looks lovely PPH, unfortunatly most of the Blossom has gone now where we live
WS

its the same here but this one seems to be the last to come out. I need to check out what type of tree it is as there are a lot of them near me and I find it so beautiful

Wouldn't it be lovely if those eggs are fertile Lai and you have lots of little ducks we will be pestering you for photo's and updates. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Lets hope the eggs stay safe. Look forward to more news.

Lovely Blossom PPH, beautiful colour.

littlewid-x-

Don't worry I'll be keeping an eye on Mrs Duck - If I can get a photo of her on her nest/flower bed I will but I don't want to disturb her, she is right up against the wall and well hidden. I've just checked and she is sitting there peacefully. WS should I give her some food/water?

PPH we've got the same blossom tree just coming out now - I think it's an ornamental cherry of some kind, normally the wind picks up just after it's come out and the blossom is all gone within a few days

Lai

A photo would be lovely Lai but not if it's going to disturb Mrs Duck, if her eggs are furtile it would be a shame to scare her off. Lets hope the weather remains kind to her as she has laid her clutch in the open.

littlewid-x-

Mrs Duck just now - she hasnt moved an inch, so today I have left her some water.







Fingers crossed she hatches some ducklings successfully.

Lai

Bless her for staying put Lai, I bet she was pleased with the water. Thanks a lot for the pics, it's nice to see her and hopefully, if we are lucky, we will get to see the chicks. Fingers crossed it all goes well, I am excited about new little ducks already

littlewid-x-

Daisy spent lomg periods of time on her eggs, but she did occasionaly come off for a drink or to nibble, usualy at night. Ducks also hatch thier eggs at night. So fingers X Lai you'll get up one morning and see little Ducks
WS

Thanks WS. I am checking her daily but not too close and the area is off limits for everyone at the moment.

I haven't left any food as the bed she is in looks edible! But I will top up the water.

As you say Littlewid, fingers crossed we get to see some little ones soon.

Lai

it looks like she has made a lovely comfortable nest there. Fingers crossed for ducklings

Mrs Duck is still on her nest and doing fine we think, although I dont want to disturb her by getting too close.

Our blossom tree today



Lai

Bluebells in the woods today - in a few days or a week they will be perfect (but could do with some rain)




Tamu and Penny enjoying the stream



I think Bluebells are one of my favourite spring flowers

Lai

Brilliant Photos Lai, and that blossom trees is fantastic, love the bluebells to. The Dogs really look as though they are enjoying themselves, as I'm sure you were in that lovely scenery. Thats put a smile on my face . Thanks for sharing
WS