Nature, Red in Tooth and Claw.

The weather has turned a bit inclement, so not a lot of gardening has been going on here - but we always look out of our kitchen window at the birds, whatever the weather, and  bird watching was very exciting today.  There was a pair of Siskin, a Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, some Tree Sparrows, some House Sparrows, a couple of Bluetit, a Great Tit, a Coaltit, some Wood Pigeon, Mr and Mrs Blackbird splashing about in our little pond - and then - It All Went Very Quiet and all the wee birds disappeared into the bushes. The reason? - This handsome Sparrowhawk female sitting on our shed roof, checking out all the little feathered titbits we'd been encouraging to our garden with seeds and peanuts. She sat there for ages, but none of the little birds moved a muscle, so she eventually gave up. Within seconds of her departure, the garden seed-feeders were alive with frantic birdy activity once again.

Tell you what, I'd rather attract this kind of predator than cats. Luckily, our nearest neighbours are all dog people.