Wildlife in a Wild Garden...

Although I hate being stuck at home on a weekend, I can think of worse places to be stuck than Whitestaunton. At least here we are surrounded by countryside and a selection of wildlife just not seen 4 miles away in Chard. I'm still building a garden bird list here and this weekend I had a garden tick in the form of a family party of three Spotted Flycatchers. In fact today the garden seemed to be full of young birds being fed by their parents - a family of Blue Tits, a young Robin, a young Coal Tit, a young siskin and and juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, which has been seen being fed by both parents several times this week.

Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker being fed by a parent

Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker: R. Harris

Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker: R. Harris

Juvenile Siskin: R. Harris

Spotted Flycatcher: R. Harris

Spotted Flycatcher: R. Harris

Not forgetting this little fox cub too. He was sitting in the road outside the house when I pulled up one day last week and then legged it into the garden and then the field behind us.

Fox cub: R. Harris

The patio at the back of the house has proved excellent for Salticus scenicus, with this cracking male present most days. Notice his huge chelicera.

Salticus scenicus, male: R. Harris

Salticus scenicus, male: R. Harris