Cheeky Pigeon s

I am beginning to think that pigeons are texting one another to get on down to our place where there's a buffet going. They are getting really cheeky - tapping on the windows, brazenly striding up and down and glaring at me when there's no food out and telling all their mates.
Better than the telly though.

She's my bird

Now Browny has brought along a new friend who we'll call, erm, Whitey.
My windowsill is slowly turning into Pigeon Street.
More to come.

Here's a visitor to my windowsill. He looks like a pigeon but he's brown all over. I don't think I've ever seen a brown pigeon before. Is it a young 'un?

Thrush

A thrush has built a nest on my next-door neighbour's outside light.
Wonderful.

No Bird Brain

I have always thought that crows were really smart birds from observing their behaviour.
This story proves it.

Snog Sunday

Collared Doves snogging in the same tree.
This was shortly after they made love.
Today I have also seen ducks and hens doing the same. Hence the euphemistically-named Snog Sunday.
I wasn't spying.
Honest.

Don't Mistle this

Excitement in the Chaff household. A Mistle Thrush is building a nest in a tree just outside our upstairs window. Here's a pic. What a beautiful bird - and what a sound it makes. Just like a football racket.
It is lining its nest with moss and wool. Can't wait to see what happens next. Eggs presumably.

Hello Ducky

Followed by ducks...

Birdy Speaks

Hi. Not only am I twittering now but I am Booing.
What's Booing I hear you ask?
Well that's just it.
Were you so inclined, I could hear you ask.
It's a new application that allows you to record stuff and upload it effortlessly. Works best with an iPhone I suppose as it enables you to be out and about then upload it to the audioboo site where it can by accessed by other iPhone users or via a computer.
I was quite amazed how easy it is to do.
I just did my first Boo (I guess that's what it's called). Anyway, if you want to hear what I sound like, click here. I have been likened more to Fred Dibnah than Brian Sewell so don't expect proper diction. I'm Northern.
I think this blog just went aural. (Stop making your own jokes up).
Anyway, come on - let's be hearing you.

The devalued Prime Minister

This is well worth watching. Please pass it on.

Twittering

Twitter is becoming addictive. I like its immediacy. Breaking news and eyewitness accounts are instantaneous. You can link with like minds. Build contacts. Find out what celebs get up to. Get interesting links. Get questions answered immediately. Start a campaign. Make friends. Load pics. Network for business. Be amused. Plus get followed by Liam Gallagher, which has just happened with me. Ok, you might not want to be followed by LG but it's FUN.

Twittering

I am on Twitter now. It's very addictive. I am wondering whether to post my details on here but then everyone would know who I am.
Hmmm. What to do?

Cross

Saw this by the side of a farm and thought of the crucifixion. I am at a funny age, mind.

Hoof made it?

What manner of creature would make a hoofprint that size by the side of the road? Any ideas?

Twitter

Being a Birdy, I think I should probably Twitter. I confess I have had a look at it and registered and am trying to get my head round it all. It all seems a bit self indulgent but, hey, so does a blog.
It's one thing reading about Stephen Fry mixing it with the Hollywood set and eating posh nosh but does anyone really want to hear about my veggie sausage toast and brown sauce or the fact I am having the loft insulated?
To Twitter or not to Twitter?

Chaffinches

We chaffinches are starting to strut and do our stuff. Must be a touch of spring in the air. Lady chaffs beware.
The Times has the gen here.

Blackbird, bye bye

He waited till I got nearer and nearer and let me take his picture. Then he flew into the night.

Another stone in the wall

Here is another carving. I can't make out what it is. Can you?

Mystery flower

I wonder how this carving of a flower ended up in a drystone wall.
Any ideas?

I am lichen it

Not snow. It is lovely white lichen on a church wall. Grows where the
air is pure. Ahhh. Breathe in.

Snowdrops

Don't you love it when these little fellers show up in force? It makes
me feel so optimistic.

Ready to lamb.

Great day for a walk...

It is a lovely sunny morning.Off we go.

Tate Prizewinner

Yellow dolphins

My Iphone

See that pic below? I just sent it via my iphone. I took the pic on it
as well
I am pecking out this message on this wonderful contraption which has
become somewhat of an obsession.
Its capabilities astound me. I will write more about this onesided
love affair very soon, but for now I must go. My iphone needs me.
Coming my precious...

Mill

I've got a Woody.

More birdy activity in the Chaffgarden....
This lovely female (I think) Great Spotted Woodpecker is nibbling at my fat balls. (awaits hilariously inappropriate Carry On type responses).
The male has a striking crimson patch on his neck that this one doesn't have.
When I first saw one of these lovely birds, I couldn't believe my eyes. The colours and markings are so striking and they look like they belong in the tropics.
So if you want to see birds as beautiful as these, get your fat balls out now.

Strange Bird

I spotted this bird through my window a few minutes ago and had time to fire off a couple of quick shots through the window before it flew away. (Sorry about the pic quality). Any ideas what it may be? It was standing like an owl.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone. Don't believe what they tell you about 2009 - it's going to be great!

Merry Christmas Everyone

I hope you all have a great Christmas.
In the meantime, here's a freebie from Amazon for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Enter FREEMP3S at checkout and you'll get £3 worth of Mp3 downloads free. A whole album for nowt.
Thought I'd pass it on.
Love from Birdy xxx

Christmas Past

I am reading Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol for the umpteenth time and today I came across this recording of a family celebrating nearly 100 years ago.
It brought the story just a little bit closer to me.
I found the old beeswax and soap recordings incredibly moving - sad and joyful at the same time.
The full story is here.

Belated greetings to the Smith family from Salisbury. Wherever you all are...

Politeness itself

"Sorry to trouble you, but could you make me some coffee and bring some gingerbread biscuits to my study?"

Have a guess who would be polite enough to say this to a maid who described him as a charming and kindly man.

Put your answers below, please.

Here's the solution. No peeking.

Snow fun

Went for a walk in the snow and saw a sheep that looked like a rainbow. The poor thing came right up to me as if to say "Any food?" Unfortunately, I hadn't a bale of hay on me but it was a stark reminder that it's not only commuters that suffer when Winter arrives.
Keep safe.