The blackbird fledglings

that hatched last week are still with us despite the wintry weather. And the parents are foraging flat out to keep them fed.

Another pair of blackbirds has nested in the shed that is being renovated. Luckily the nest is well away from the area where Ian has been continuing to work when he has a moment.

But at the moment things are a little quiet – come the better weather that the met office is predicting and no doubt there will be many creatures on the hunt for a share of the crops.

The bees will appreciate the broad bean flowers when the weather allows the crop to get it’s feet down and grow. Bridget is continuing with her bee keeping course and has learned the technical reason for why broad beans are so popular with bees and why it was just the right moment to introduce the hives last year when the crop was in flower.