I thought I’d check on how the Dunnocks were doing in the hawthorn hedge this evening and look what I found!! Three hungry little mites! I ran for my iPad before the parents returned as I wanted to share their arrival with you all.
I’m so grateful they all arrived safely and we are planning to make another screen to place next to the first just to make sure they are very well hidden. What do you all think?
Oh how fabulous!! It's like spring watch !! 🐥🐥🐥 They look well cosy in your hedge Spotty 🤗
Now that they've hatched I'd say leave the extra screen they're obviously happy there n u got a fabulous shot of them...wildlife photography could be your next project!! 🤔😜
Just what I needed today..absolute tonic...thank u 🌈😽😽xx
Yes, they do look happy and cosy, the wee souls. 🥰 I’m just worried about the neighbourhood cats as I explained to Windy. 😾😼
Haha, I had to stick my head in the hedge to get that shot and a few jags from the protective hawthorn as though to say “step away from the nest”.😂 I hope it does the same to any curious cats!😉
Glad it perked you up Kat.👍🏻👍🏻 I did a wee jig after seeing them I must admit! 😆
Stay safe Kat xx 🤗😘💕
I ordered some blackthorn plugs, ultra-super-jaggy! xxx
Haha, I agree. They look superb but not ideal for our wildlife. 🤦♀️ Apart from 2 pampas grasses, all are natural native trees and shrubs here - ancient hawthorn trees as well as the hedge, ash trees, silver birch, beech, sycamore and a young horse chestnut we planted ourselves.
Sadly there are cats about which is what worries me. They have decimated our bird population since a pregnant stray arrived at a neighbours and had 4 kittens a few years ago. All neutered now but they keep coming to us for their treat ie our birds!! We chase them and hiss at them but of course they come back to our wildlife haven.
Good to hear from you Windy. Take care. 🤗 🐝🐛🦋
You could scattered chilli powder around to keep cats at bay, and strategically place bottles that will scatter them up they tip them without upsetting the chicks too much...my dad's trick, milk bottles precisely placed around the climbing rose at our front door where blackbirds nested every year, much to the amusement of the milkman xxx
That’s worth a try Eekt.👍🏻👍🏻 As long as they don’t roll onto the gravel/dirt lane and somebody drives over them. 😫 I wouldn’t be popular then. 😂😂 I’ll see what I can do in the morning. Thanks for the idea. Will try the chilli and pepper too. 👍🏻👍🏻 🤗😘
I wonder if birds can hear it too?🤷♀️ I’ll investigate. Good idea. 👍🏻Thanks Windy. 🤗😘
How wonderful!!! That’s an great pic too. Please keep us updated! X
I will do DJK. Take care. 🤗😘
Lovely spotty, your screen obviously helped 🙌🏻 What a lovely pic , all this nightmare of a lockdown/ pandemic and nature still creating little wonders 👍
That’s cheered me no end 😄😊
Fingers crossed they stay safe 🤞
🤗😘🐝x
Indeed Stiff, I’m praying they stay safe! I’ll try a few of the tricks offered by Eekt and Windy. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🤞🤞🤞
How lovely 😊
Alright, there is new LIFE. That is so very special, and Spotty, they have the best grandparents, Your tender caring, and love, has made all the difference to that sweet fledgling family. See, nature can bring out the best!! Keep up the good works, just darling.... All my blessings, Love, thestormy sunshine:)🧡💛💚💙💜💖🐣🐣🐣🐤🐤🐤💖
Thanks Stormy.👍🏻 They have really brightened my existence in these uncertain times, and yes I do strangely feel like a grandma! 😂😂 Please join me in prayers to keep them safe. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 You keep safe too Stormy. 🤗😘💕
Lots of praying, Love, Blessings to the cute, tiny sweet baby ones, and to you!😊😊😊🤗🤗🤗🥰🥰🥰
Thanks so much Stormy. Same back to you. 🤗🤗😘😘🥰🥰💕💕
Wow, keep safe little ones, you little beauties, congratulation on taking such a beautifull photo, a lovely sight to see this morning,🐥 🍁🍁, Thanks Windy, 👌🙏
Thanks Jiptherip. 👍🏻🤗😘
Excellent photo hope they thrive in your garden, be nice for you to see them grow x
I’m praying they will stay safe for us to watch them grow. I plan to look every 3-4 days (if I can restrain myself)! They deserve some peace and privacy. 🙏🏻🤗😘
Wow. Your extra screen worked. Well done.
Hope they stay safe. Would be lovely to see them make it.
Don't disturb too much but if possible would be great to see their ongoing journey.
Thanks OHL. Hubby still thinks another screen will help even more as they grow and become more obvious.🤷♀️ We are so worried about them with the numerous cats in this area. 😼 I’ll check on them every 3-4 days to see how they are doing. Take care. 🤗😘💕
Lovely to see. Re the 'cat problem', you could try firing a gentle, low pressure/volume water pistol in their vicinity. This might deter the cats because they will associate the area with getting wet. Don't worry, it isn't cruel, I am a cat lover!
Good idea Rock.👍🏻 We’ve sprayed them with the hose before now, but they tend to prowl most when it is dark or early hours of the morning before we are up. That’s when I fear they’ll do the damage. 😫
We are cat lovers too and have owned 4 at one time when I lived on the islands. They were great ratters, but did drag home rabbits and even a shearwater on one occasion. 🤦♀️ They can be so cruel despite being loving affectionate pets. Two of mine lived into their 20s. I still miss them.
Take care. 🤗😘
We used to have 4 cats too! So affectionate! A couple lived until they were 19. Like you we still miss them. We now have a mad 3 year old rescue Border Collie. It is quite a different experience but we love him loads!
Haha. He’ll keep you on your toes. We had one who befriended one of the farm dogs (another border collie) who tried to round him up all the time. 😂 Hilarious. Affectionate and intelligent dogs though, well, most of them are! 😁
🙂❤
Welcome triplets! Makes me want to get out to take a little walk. I won’t get a wonderful scene like this so good I have your photo! 😍
Great to hear from you Kay.👍🏻 I actually discovered there are 4 of them this morning so have posted a new picture under ‘Could there be 4?’ If you’d like to look. They are so gorgeous. 😘 I’m really thrilled to have them in our hedge. 😁
Enjoy your walk. You never know what is in the trees or bushes you pass on your way! 😉. Take care Kay. 🤗😘
True, but I am busy trying to stay six feet away from the masked and unmasked people! 😍
Haha. Very true. 😉
Lovely, it is so good to see the birds thriving. I have so much pleasure from the young birds in the spring, but get very upset when cats of others kill the young just as they leave the nest.x
Hi Cann. Yes, it is heart-breaking after all the care and sheltering the parents have provided for them. I just read today that Dunnocks are protected and are in the amber group. So we’ll be trying all the harder to help them reach independence. Here’s hoping! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🤞🤞
Good luck with it. x
Congratulations at birth of triplets spotty-ewe and did I see a further post you may have quads to look after?. Some protection is needed and I hope they do really well. Will message you soon, sorry for delay. Take care. Xx
Yes it looks like we have quads Misty! Haha. 👏🏻 Just message when you have time and feel like it. If you are anything like me you’ll be busy, busy. Talk to you later. 👍🏻 Take care. 🤗 Spotty.
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