Whilst at the book swap we were lucky to pick up an RSPB handbook " The complete guide to attracting and observing birds in the garden" What a delight it is but if only I had read it a few weeks ago. We had an area just off the mown areas which was full of teasels, you know those tall prickly things. I painstakingly chopped them down so they did not spread the seeds far and wide. Now I discover that they would have encouraged bull finches, and we do remember having bull finches last year. Sometimes wild areas in the garden are worth leaving. Cultivating round the houses I will now do but those wild places will be left another year to encourage birds and other wild life. We seem to have seen more salamanders this year than ever before, it must be the warm October that has kept them about longer. They rarely are seen unless foraging above ground after a shower and they do hibernate in the winter, till about May when you may be lucky to see one again.
So much to see in the countryside if one only spends the time to look and watch. One of the pleasures of being retired having the time "to stop and stare"
What is this life if full of care
We have no time to stand and stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep, or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this, if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
William Henry Davies 1871 - 1940
