June sorry you lost your buddlea and the weeds survived! Luckily they are easy to grow and grow quite fast! Every year in March we cut ours down by more than half and by the next year its the same size as before but even more flowers :) Here it grows on the side of railway lines and on derelict building sites, its not fussy! Ive even seen it grow on the roof of derelict buildings :)
Keith I think that there was a shortage of caterpillars this spring generally which had an effect on Blue tits breeding. Aparently they have struggled to rear families. It has been a long and cold spring.
We have just withdrawn our feeders from the garden as weve seen 2 chaffinches suffering from that awful disease trichomonosis (spelling ?) We keep our feeders clean and move them around regularly. Heartbreaking to see. Also saw a greenfinch with it. They had only just returneed after a long absence :(
So nature has taken its course and Odin has left Scotland for his winter home, supposedly in Africa. Briagha too is returning to Africa from France.
One wonders if they all three go to the same general area and if we will see them again in the spring 2016.
Hello June. It has been confirmed now that Odin has left us :( So ends another season. Breagh also be heading South. Would be nice to think that they meet. Im hoping that Fenrir will find himself a mate and nest next year as he seemed to be the most persistant and agressive intruder. Its a popular nest that everyone wants. Wish our starring couple a safe journey to their wintering grounds and look forward to their return in March! There is a fantastic summary written by Moffer on the Daily Updater thread. Cant do link on this computer :( Sorry. It puts everything in its place
Here is Moffer's excellent resume of the season, to which 58willow referred.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Good morning all. Thankyou Sheila for putting up the link :) Its amazing to me that Loch of the Lowes juveniles FR3 AND FR3 have already left on migration at least one definitely has ( tracked) and they think the other has. Its that time again :( Such a huge journey for such young birds. Feel a bit emotional about it even though I know its what they are born to do! I wish them well and hope to see them back safely in the future!
From Facebook
Good morning, Willow
For the first time in over four years I will not open a new month for the Gabfest. With the Loch Garten nest now well and truly empty, I will let this thread rest for the winter.
I may open the Gabfest in December to see if anyone is interested in a wee bit of Christmas cheer.
I will continue to follow Breagha and hope to see EJ and Odin back home come spring.