Wednesday 9 April 2008

Say cheese.


Does this robin look happy? Is he almost posing? Almost saying "thank you"
Today decided to sort out my patio tubs ready for spring. The plants in two of the tubs had completely disappeared. This filled me with dread as my first thought was vine weevil. The grubs eat the roots of plants and eventually kill them. I got a plastic sheet and emptied the soil on to it. Low and behold there were hundreds of vine weevil grubs. Horror of horrors, Don't panic. What shall I do. Decided to drag the sheet onto the lawn and let the blue tits and the robins have a delicious supper, to prepare them for another cold night. You have never seen such a free for all, there were fights and swooping and everyone calling their friends. When the frenzy was over I checked the soil and couldn't find any. The soil has been disposed of and now its the waiting game to see if there are any more around. Anyway back to the robin, I went to walk indoors and there he was. "Come on, do you want a photo for your blog or not?" Rushed indoors got the camera and hey presto. Isn't he a stunner.

12 comments:

Chrissie said...

He is a stunner, Cheryl :-) And pleased to have a full tum I expect :-)

A wildlife gardener said...

Do you know, dear Cheryl, I did exactly that with the lily bug larva earlier this year. I was about to plant more lily bulbs...and thought I'd check the old troughs and pots before I added to them.

Lo, and behold, there were hundreds of the little creatures! I put them all in a container and put them on the bird table and ...gobble, gobble, one more gobble...and they were gone in no time :)

beckie said...

What a delightful treat for the birds! And what a good idea to let them have at. Hope that takes acre of your problem. It is always something isn't it?! That maybe what happened to a planter of petunias last year. They were doing fine, then withered and died. I am going to totally change out the soil in that one before doing any planting. Hope your day is good.

Cheryl said...

I am sure those grubs made him very happy Chris.


Hi Wildlife Gardener....Thats what our gardens are about, helping our little friends and return they help us.

I always check containers if something dies suddenly Beckie. You never know what is lurking in there!!

Dawny P said...

You are so kind Cheryl - I bet the birds were very happy!! Little Robin certainly looks happy - stunning little things aren't they xx

Cheryl said...

The robin is stunning Dawny. They always looked so tattered after the breeding season.
Hope you and your family are well.

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
He is darling! I agree with Chris, I bet he was very pleased to have a "full tum'.
A wonderful photo! How exciting!
It looks as if you also have relationships with your birds and bugs. I do! I talk with the plants and the birds and bugs...they talk back.
Hopefully your gardens are making it through the terrible cold. We are to have more rain tonight and into tomorrow.
Hope you have sunshine soon and warm Spring temperatures.
Sherry

Aiyana said...

Hi Cheryl,
Love the photo of the robin. We don't see them here. Most birds are not colorful, except for Anna's Hummingbird.
Aiyana

Anonymous said...

YES! He is one good lookin' dude!

I just dropped by to say hello
and to let you know there is a
little contest going on at My Serentity Garden
If you’d like to join in.
~Becky~

Cheryl said...

Becky will pop over later, tks for letting me know.

Hi Sherry....He is a darling and was a very happy robin that night!

Tks for coming by Alayana hummingbirds are lovely.

Connie said...

That robin is indeed cute! Looks a bit different than our robins here. Birds certainly play a large part in keeping garden eco-systems in balance.

Cheryl said...

Hi Connie....birds are such an important part of the garden, keeping bugs down etc etc.
Tks for dropping by.