But there are two Bee Orchids near the cutting garden this year when last year there was only 1.
And I grabbed the camera when I saw this outside, it just wouldn't turn round for a proper photo.
Not un-common but not often seen, I think it's a female Bullfinch. (Someone will tell me if I'm wrong!)
Thank you for all the comments on meat and plastics and thank you to people who have left comments on old posts. I read comments by looking at them at the bottom of the post rather than on the Comments page on the dashboard so don't always look back, but discovered some new comments left on my very first post here which was over two years ago!
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Morning Sue, oh yes that's a female bullfinch, how lucky you are to have and see them. They are such beautiful birds. We hadn't seen any for years (funnily enough, the last time we saw one was when we were on holiday in Norfolk years ago), when all of a sudden a female and 2 males arrived in our garden here a couple of years ago. They stayed around for a day or 2, then disappeared never to be seen again.
ReplyDeleteI've spotted the males now and again on the hedge over the track- they are easier to see but this is my first definite proper sight of a female
DeleteWe have Bullfinches in the garden at the moment - they are eating the seedheads of the Geums, which I've not see them do before (they are normally on the fruit trees!)
ReplyDeleteSo pleased that your Bee Orchids are multiplying. I don't think I've ever seen one in the wild (only in photos).
This one was with sparrows looking for the weed seeds on the driveway.
DeleteI was pleased to see 2 bee orchids this year
THos orchids are lovely and, I think, quite rare too, aren't they.
ReplyDeletexx
I'd never seen either before moving here but the pyramidal are common - apparently, bee orchids less so.
DeleteBee orchids are quite prolific in Norfolk and Suffolk as are bullfinches. In fact contrary to the popular view about nasty farmers who ruin everything, nature does very well here and farmers look after the countryside. It is a green and verdant part of England. Thank you Sue for the photos. The orchids in long grass are not easy to photograph as I know for my efforts.
ReplyDeleteI think there is too much long grass on the meadow which might have put the pyramid orchid right off growing
DeleteThe Bee Orchid is very nice I don't think I have seen one before. At least my pond is enjoying the rain it is almost full.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk
I have all 8 water butts full up which will last a while for watering the greenhouse and pots
DeleteLovely orchids. I must brave the rain and go and see if we have any in the quarry. The bee orchids have a mind of their own as to whether they appear each year.
ReplyDeleteYes a female bullfinch. I get male and female on my feeders. The male is such a handsome fellow.
How lovely to get bull finches on the feeders.
DeleteAfter 1 bee orchid last year I wasn't expecting it to come back
Well, I learned all sorts of new things today reading your post. Never heard of bull finchs and never knew about those lovely orchids. Usually think of orchids as tropical plants and there you have them growing in UK.
ReplyDeleteOur little wild orchids are not quite as big and showy as the ones you can buy as house plants. It's nice to spot them growing wild
DeleteFemale Bullfinch spot on. They are around here and the DP says they are getting nearer to our garden. I have never seen one! Love the Orchids.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've seen one before either, sometimes spot a male on the hedge - a lot easier to see!
DeleteBee orchids are my real favourites. Where I live in SW France they are not so much rare as we don't have as many as we would like.
ReplyDeleteThis year we have been spoilt by a real abundance of all wild flowers but best of all orchids.
I had never seen any wild orchids until I moved here - quite a treat.
DeleteYou are not wrong - it is indeed a female bullfinch - look out for the male too now.
ReplyDeleteHere in south east Cornwall, there was a whole roadside verge which had a profusion of Pyramid Orchids every year; each year, the patch grew longer and wider. Then a few years ago, the roadside verges were cut back earlier than usual - all the Orchids were mown down and have never re-appeared. Heart-breaking.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a bullfinch, and upon looking it up I now know why! They aren't native to North America. They're pretty little birds.
ReplyDeleteThose orchids are just beautiful!!
ReplyDeletePretty bird.
God bless.