‘Warm Welcome’
Rosa ‘Warm Welcome’ is a semi-evergreen climbing rose that
flowers profusely in summer and autumn. The clusters of flowers are sweetly scented and a
vibrant orange-red,
a welcome splash of brightness on our often less than sunny summer days.
White starling
Starlings (Sturnus
vulgaris) are on the RSPB Red list. This means that they are globally
threatened. They are abundant in Berkshire and frequent our bird feeders with
noisy enthusiasm. A few years ago I spotted a pure white starling. Not quite
believing my eyes I took some hasty photographs and though I watched and waited
for several days I never saw it again.
Woodpecker – of the three UK woodpeckers, two can be seen in gardens. The Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) is the commoner visitor to our garden. It is a
striking bird and vies with the starlings for a place at the table. It eats insects
and fruit.
The Green Woodpecker (Picus
viridis) is the largest of the woodpeckers that breed in Britain. It eats insects
and has a particular liking for ants. It is popularly called the Yaffle because
of its laughing call. It is on the RSPB Amber list, meaning that its status is
causing concern.
The bird at the front is a juvenile. The white neck patches will develop later.
The Wood pigeon (Columba
palumbus) is Britain’s largest pigeon. It is the major agricultural pest
and a favourite species for sport shooting. However, I am not a farmer and am always
pleased to see these heavyweights in the garden. Their repetitive soft cooing call
is a reassuring sound that all is well in the bird kingdom.
The Wren (Troglodytes
troglodytes) is the UK’s commonest breeding bird. Like other small birds it
suffers a decline in numbers in cold weather. It is often to be seen creeping
mouse-like round plant pots, seeking the insects and spiders that form its
diet.
To see
other Ws please click here.
