Tag Archives: Covid-19

Lockdown Upside

I’ve been working from home during these unprecentedly loopy times we’re all living through. So while I’m sitting reading next to the window I’ve noticed the local wildlife has been behaving quite differently. The creatures frequenting my garden seem much more realxed than they normally do. I have a resident wren which I’ve seen hunkering down to sunbath just outside the window, and that’s unusual. Other birds that would normally flit in and out really quickly have also been taking their time, such as this collared dove which took time to enjoy the sunshine and generally take it easy yesterday.

First off it perched on the back of a garden chair and had a really good stretch, wings extended and tail fanned:

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And after spending quite a few minutes just hanging around and enjoying the heat it drifted off for a little siesta…

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And that would never have happened before the Covid-19 lockdown. So even though it’s a pain for humans, it’s wonderful that the rest of the creatures on the planet can enjoy a few months of quality relaxation whilst we’re not terrorising them.

 

 

 

 

Happy Easter

It’s Easter Saturday and the thermometer is reading 27 degrees C, it’s a really beatiful day. Yesterday was the same and blossom is well underway on my apple tree, and maybe at least partially as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown my garden is being frequented by a stream of butterflies. Which makes me very happy! Some of them such as the comma (Polygonia c-album) and the holly blue (Celastrina argiolus) are regular visitors at this time of year:

4910330906_498b77ab24Comma

5681704530_8f2f56a391_wHolly Blue

But there have been a couple of first sightings, both yesterday, which was great to see; the brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) and the orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines):

7895409316_3abe55fe8bBrimstone

5681166601_54ddff5bb7Orange tip

I love orange tips but they’re really tough to track and photograph because they seldom settle. But when they eventually do settle and close their wings the underside has the most exquisite green lacework which also functions as perfect camouflage, they’re virtually invisible when they sit tight and don’t move.

One other treat I’ve had whilst working from home during the Covid-19 lockdown is my resident wren who appears just outside the window at least once a day and just occasionally sings his heart out. It’s amazing how so much lovely song emanates from such a tiny bird, and at such high volume! I’ll try to get some wren pictures in the next few days and post them here.

In the mean time have a lovely Easter weekend and stay home and stay safe!