The blossom on the greengage tree is on the turn, the petals are taking on a golden tinge and whilst there is still the occasional fat bumble bee working amongst the flourish, you can easily see the contrast with the brilliant white flowers on the cherry tree. This blossom is more thickly packed along the long limbs of the cherry and it is hard work to locate the ring dove perched on a branch amidst the dappled sunshine.
We sat out in the garden for lunch and the birds mostly ignored our presence. It was a great pleasure to be able to sit and listen to the birdsong, which is often muffled inside the house. One persistant voice was that of a male chaffinch in brilliant plumage. He appeared to be able to sing and eat at the same time, and to sing and wipe his beak on a branch at the same time, and finally he retired to the top of the apple tree and chirruped a little more before flying off.
There were furious arguments apparently taking place amongst the sparrows in every block of hedging, the courting robins were liaising in the leaf litter below the bird table and I suddenly realised that I could see two reed buntings…one busily rummaging for seed on the grass, whilst another was sat in the branches above it, apparently watching. I’m bagging up books for the village’s community library; ‘the bunting on the right’ sounds like a vintage spy novel…
thekitchensinkbirdwatcher 