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Chocky Wrote:

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> Ooh I've not seen any black bees, but I just had

> my first sighting of a swift for 2014! I don't

> recall seeing one in April before.


Wow! I thought I might have heard one this morning, but it is very early. It might be a bird that's still on migration further north rather than one of 'our' local ones. Just checked and my first sighting in ED last year was May 15th.

tomdhu Wrote:

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> There seems to be a whole lot more chaffinches

> around this year, or is it just me? Having not

> seen one in our garden in almost 20 years, we see

> 2 in one day!

> Tom


Yes, I've seen and heard more than ever. Before a couple of years ago, you'd only really see them in the woods or occasionally the park. The goldfinches have made a comeback too, as have the sparrows. It must have been a good (mild) winter for the small songbirds.

Somebody is selling a garden mirror on here.


I posted (politely) advice from the RSPB about the dangers of garden mirrors to birds - who obviously don't realise they are mirrors and fly into them - and my post has been removed.


Great.


ETA: Just noticed that in fact the original thread with my posts on is still there, but the seller has started a new one.


So apologies to admin for my thinking that it was admin who didn't care about birds, and bad thoughts about the mirror seller :(

Laddy Muck Wrote:

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> You are right re. mirrors, Sue...sadly the little

> birdies tend to fly into glass too - so I try not

> to clean my windows during the breeding season.

>

> Anyway, "my" newts are bonking like mad

> again...rabbits appear celibate by comparison! :))


xxxxxxx


I've heard if you put stickers on glass windows it deters the birds. Especially if they're in the shape of a bird of prey silhouette!


Good news about "your" newts. My tub has had no frog visits this Spring :( So no spawn, and no tadpoles :(

louisemurray you're a star. I will PM you!


I'm slightly worried there might be something wrong with the water in my tub, as although it's not stagnant there doesn't seem to be anything at all living in it at the moment, ie no little pond creatures that I can see. Is that normal for this time of year? I wouldn't have thought so.


I have had builders next door who have showered sawdust all over the garden, and I wonder if anything could have got into my tub?


The mirror thread person has PMed me to tell me that I am a busybody with too much time on my hands. This for politely suggesting that the purchaser of a garden mirror should site it carefully to avoid stunning or killing birds. Charming.


ETA: Oh, I see she's called me a "stalker" (???) and a busybody on her thread, as well.

henryb Wrote:

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> I can take a while. You should have midge larva at

> least. Does it have oxygenator plants in it?


xxxxxx


Yes, I get them from The Goldfish Bowl in Oxford when I'm in Oxford. Can't remember what kind they were, but they were OK for outdoor ponds.


But I did also have a solar-powered fountain to help with oxygenation. Sadly late last Summer something (I presume a fox) dragged the floating bit out of the tub, together with the pump, if memory serves, and ate a huge chunk of the floating foam pad!


So I think it's probably (bad word meaning ruined). I may be able to get a replacement pad, but I think the pump gets wrecked if it's out of water :(


ETA: It's the second one I've had, so I'm not too keen to spend money on another one. The first one, something also removed the pump during the Winter, and unfortunately I didn't notice until Spring.

jimmah Wrote:

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> My pond is full of small bugs, shrimplike things



xxxxxx


Yes, my tub has been in previous years, that's why I'm a bit concerned.


I've just acquired an old butler sink, maybe I will use that as my pond instead and put fresh water in it :(


But then water from the tap isn't good either because of the chlorine, oh dear :(

louisemurray Wrote:

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> Sue, Keira is quite right.

> If you fill whatever you are going to use today

> and let it settle/evaporate. By Tues/Weds when

> you get some toadpoles and plants they will be

> just fine.

> Louise


xxxxxx


Oh dear, I was away and only just seen this :(


Only just going to move the sink into position and fill it :(


I do have some stuff somewhere which is supposed to sort the chlorine though, will try to find it.

Sue, the chlorine evaporates quite quickly.

I wouldn't advise that you add anything to the water. There's no hurry anyway - you can take your time setting up a nice home, with stepping stones and oxygenating plants for aeration and protection from predators for the new arrivals - toads?

Thanks kiera, in fact I've just investigated further in my existing tub and there are some small creatures alive in it, so what I think I will do is temporarily put the new tadpoles in there until the water in the new-to-me Belfast sink has had time to settle.


I can't remember what I put at the bottom of my tub, I think it was just gravel. Should I be using clean sand, or garden soil in the sink? Instead of or as well as? I've googled but that has just confused me further :)

Sue, That sounds like a good idea - much more satisfying to take the time to create a wildlife pond to be pleased with. There are no hard-and-fast rules - soil, gravel, sand ( as long as it's pure) are all o.k..Or you might prefer to just put in some plants in pots, using gravel on top of the soil to stop it muddying the water. If your sink is big enough, you may find this guidance helpful -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/ponds_minipond1.shtml

You'll need to ensure the froglets will be able to get out and to get back in again, remembering that they are very vulnerable to predators, usually birds, at that stage, so need some cover round the edges. Have fun!

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