I'll explain later.
This is Aster novi belgii Marie Ballard, purchased two years ago from Hayloft Plants. It is a hardy perennial, and was bred sixty years ago by Ernest Ballard, a plant breeder from Colwall, Herefordshire. Although it was not released for sale until 1955. My plant flowered last year, but didn't put on much of a show. So this year is its first proper display. I'm really impressed with it.
Following my disasters with the 'squirrel-proof' bird feeders, I decided to treat myself, or should I say the birds, to a new feeder. It's not squirrel proof, but then neither were the others. I just liked the look of it.
Now, about that new hobby. Do you fancy watching shrubs ? I know, it sounds a bit like watching paint dry, but you don't have to actually sit and watch them. I mean, they don't do much, do they ?
The BTO have organised a Birds and Garden Berries survey to find out which birds eat garden berries throughout the winter. All it involves, is selecting different shrubs carrying berries, and checking them once a week to see how many berries remain. You don't have to count exactly how many berries there are, just a rough idea. Taking photos of the plants every week would be an easy solution. You also need to observe which birds are removing the berries.
The purpose of the survey is to find out which plants are the most popular with the birds, and what type of birds are attracted to the berries. What a pity those finches were eating the cotoneaster berries last week, the survey didn't start until yesterday.
Kwitków już nie będzie w ogródku, więc masz dobry pomysł z obserwowaniem ptaków. Karmnik jest świetny. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteThere will be no flowers in the garden, so you have a good idea of watching birds. Feeder is great. Yours.
I had four greenfinches on the feeder today, so they are getting used to it.
DeleteWonderful photographs, beautiful flowers. I am greeting
ReplyDeleteThanks, Zielona
DeleteYour new birdhouse is pretty and will be a nice fixture in your garden. That's an interesting count, watching what berries birds eat in the winter. I pretty much do that anyway.
ReplyDeleteTrouble is, the birds have been hungry this year. Most of the berries on my hawthorn have already gone. It's a pity that the survey had started a month earlier.
DeleteWhat a beautiful aster - the slugs ate mine early on and they don't seem to have survived - story of my life. Love your new feeder - hope it foils the squirrels. Our cotoneaster tree is full of berries at the moment and usually by the end of winter there isn't a single one left.
ReplyDeleteAh, I didn't know slugs like asters. That explains what happened to my Aster Monch last year.
DeleteI love how pretty your new bird feeder is. I gave up battling squirrels and just let them eat the seed. I have a platform feeder that they prefer and it detracts them from the small seed feeders. LOVE your aster! What a beauty!
ReplyDeleteThe squirrels have left the new feeder alone, so far. It's obviously not as much fun because they can't get the lid off, but they can easily get to the food.
DeleteI really like the look of the Aster the blooms look more like those you see on the Annual types. Sturdy looking bird feeder that should last for many years.
ReplyDeleteI hope the feeder lasts a few years, but it all depends on the squirrels.
DeleteThat is a beautiful Aster! I will try the berry count. I try to select plants for my garden which will benefit wildlife and I love watching the birds eating berries from our shrubs. I am aware of the order in which the berries disappear, but I will try to be more scientific and do a bit of counting. It should be interesting!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're joining in the berry count. The results should be very interesting. I intend to buy the shrubs that come top of the list, if I'm not already growing them.
DeleteYour new bird feeder is fab! The asters are super this time of year, a great plant.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm really pleased with the aster this year.
DeleteWhat a pretty aster, such a great colour! Your bird feeder is sure pretty too, I gave up the whole bird feeder thing, the squirrels raided it every day - it was as if they were just waiting for me to come out an re-fill it. And what a mess they made! Hope the squirrels leave yours alone, or at least share with the birds :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping the squirrels will stick to the 'squirrel proof' feeders and leave my new one alone. Wishful thinking.
DeleteBeautiful, beautiful Aster. I've never tried to grow one; looking at your photo, I think I should.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best Aster I've ever grown. Definitely worth a try.
DeleteThanks for posting about the bird/berry survey. I'll try to have a go. Never figured out where all the cherries went.
ReplyDeleteThe cherry trees in our area produced no fruit this year. The cherry blossom was destroyed by heavy rain before it could be pollinated.
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