Time to sit and stare

Time to sit and stare

I have studied spotted flycatchers a lot over the years here in the Kennet Valley, and a warm June evening is the best time for me to quietly sit with a glass of wine, watching their comings and goings in the garden. Luckily this unobtrusive creature, which may have flown all the way from Namibia, favours our row of mature lime trees, stretched along the valley floor, which judging by all the swifts, house martins, and swallows somehow traps or attracts an abundance of insects.

That is my luck, but what is deliberate are the blocks of wildflowers and uncut lawn interspersed with mown paths, creating a patchwork of habitats. I am blessed with a large garden, but I have created the oxeye daisies and white clover now humming with bees, which are just coming into their own and the rewards are bountiful and beautiful.  The flycatchers, so quiet and unassuming all day, that I suspect many people never notice, launch their aerial assaults from a favourite branch to chase their prey over the insect-rich grass. If you listen carefully you can hear their bills snap as they make their catch.

Feed well little birds your population has dramatically fallen over the years and this garden is here to boost your numbers before you fly South in the Autumn. They nest around the house in creepers and boxes I put up on the house and I fret every Spring in case they do not return but am so joyous upon their arrival. I garden directly for them and all their cousins and indirectly for these quiet moments I can sit and stare.

Don’t mow in May is nice alliteration, but I mow in May and then leave for June and July. That way I remove the lush Spring growth, giving the flowers more chance to emerge later than the grass, and with them the insects so essential for our birds, damselflies, bats and amphibians all who prey on them.

A male and female bullfinch appear (how cute are they always together) finding some ripening seeds and families of Goldfinches are twittering constantly. A young blackbird is hunting on the strips of short mown paths, together with the dandiest of green woodpeckers hopping after ants. My lawn is not green, it is a wash, a tapestry of tweed and brightly coloured dots of white, orange, pink, and yellow, but most of all it is alive. I just sit and stare. This is my lawn, it could be yours. But you need to start now by not adding any moss killer, pesticides, weedkiller and grow fast lawn nutrients


1012 comments


  • Dhillon Jane

    RECLAIM WHAT’S YOURS: HOW TO RECOVER STOLEN CRYPTOCURRENCY-CONSULT RAPID DIGITAL RECOVERY

    WhatSapp Info: +1 4 1 4 8 0 7 1 4 8 5
    Email Info: rapid digital recovery (@) execs. com

    The experts at RAPID DIGITAL RECOVERY conducted a meticulous investigation, employing advanced techniques to trace the stolen Bitcoin. They ensured that my mother felt comfortable and informed throughout the entire process, which was crucial in helping her regain some sense of control. Their dedication and transparency provided her with hope during a time when she felt lost. After a week of hard work, the team successfully traced a portion of the stolen funds. They managed to recover $15,000 worth of Bitcoin, which brought immense relief to my mother. This recovery not only eased her financial burden but also restored her faith in the possibility of justice. She expressed her gratitude, saying, “I never thought I would see any of that money again. I’m so thankful for RAPID DIGITAL RECOVERY help. My mother was able to recover everything, and I felt a deep sense of pride in being the one who sought help from RAPID DIGITAL RECOVERY.


  • Bridget penny

    A few months ago, shortly after going through a difficult divorce, I connected with someone online who introduced me to cryptocurrency investing. He appeared knowledgeable and trustworthy, and based on his guidance, I decided to invest nearly $500,000. Unfortunately, when I later attempted to access the account to withdraw both my initial investment and the expected returns, I realized I had been locked out. It became painfully clear that I had been the victim of a scam.
    I promptly reported the incident to the FBI and provided all the necessary documentation. While they took the matter seriously, they were ultimately unable to recover the funds.
    Thankfully, a coworker referred me to ICON Asset Recovery. I contacted them and shared all the details of my case. They were responsive, professional, and compassionate from the very beginning. To my immense relief, they were able to recover the full amount I had lost within just a few weeks.
    I’m truly grateful for their expertise and support throughout what was a deeply stressful experience. If anyone else finds themselves in a similar situation, I wholeheartedly recommend reaching out to ICON Asset Recovery. They gave me hope when I thought all was lost and most importantly, they helped me get my money back.

    For assistance or inquiries, you can contact Icon Asset Recovery through:

    Website: https://iconassetsrecovery.com Email: services@iconassetsrecovery.com WhatsApp: +1 (850) 370-4547 Telegram: @Icon_assets_recovery

  • Bridget penny

    A few months ago, shortly after going through a difficult divorce, I connected with someone online who introduced me to cryptocurrency investing. He appeared knowledgeable and trustworthy, and based on his guidance, I decided to invest nearly $500,000. Unfortunately, when I later attempted to access the account to withdraw both my initial investment and the expected returns, I realized I had been locked out. It became painfully clear that I had been the victim of a scam.
    I promptly reported the incident to the FBI and provided all the necessary documentation. While they took the matter seriously, they were ultimately unable to recover the funds.
    Thankfully, a coworker referred me to ICON Asset Recovery. I contacted them and shared all the details of my case. They were responsive, professional, and compassionate from the very beginning. To my immense relief, they were able to recover the full amount I had lost within just a few weeks.
    I’m truly grateful for their expertise and support throughout what was a deeply stressful experience. If anyone else finds themselves in a similar situation, I wholeheartedly recommend reaching out to ICON Asset Recovery. They gave me hope when I thought all was lost and most importantly, they helped me get my money back.

    For assistance or inquiries, you can contact Icon Asset Recovery through:

    Website: https://iconassetsrecovery.com Email: services@iconassetsrecovery.com WhatsApp: +1 (850) 370-4547 Telegram: @Icon_assets_recovery

  • Williams Marionette

    I recovered over USD 2.8 million in cryptocurrency after my wallet was hacked, all thanks to Team Redeemed Hacker Pro. I highly recommend them—they are exceptional at what they do. After my wallet was compromised, I was worried about losing my funds, but their expertise turned everything around. If you want to protect your assets, reach out to them. They are true digital heroes. 🔐 Tested. Trusted. Proven. 📞 Contact Team Redeemed Hacker Pro:

    Email: redeemed.h.p@hackermail.com
    Web: https://redeemedhackerpros.wixsite.com/redeemedhackerpro
    Website: https://temp-viljfeztaahbonivekem.webadorsite.com/

    Don’t wait—your digital safety is invaluable.


  • andrew kyren

    HIRE AN EXPERT TO RETRIEVE CRYPTO ASSET: META TECH RECOVERY PRO ASSET RECOVERY EXPERT.

    Since 2019, the concept of Bitcoin had been circulating in my awareness, yet it wasn’t until 2024 that I truly began to pay attention. This shift in perspective coincided with the resurgence of Donald Trump’s political campaign, coupled with the prominent involvement of Elon Musk in public discourse. The conversations at my workplace centered on the potential for digital currencies to experience significant growth, particularly if Trump were to regain power. This speculation piqued my interest, prompting me to delve deeper into the subject and consider investing a portion of my savings. A colleague’s enthusiastic endorsement of Bitcoin as the “future gold” further fueled my curiosity. Consequently, I registered on several cryptocurrency mining and trading platforms, but one, in particular, consistently held my attention. Over the subsequent weeks, I experienced success on various platforms, which led me to consider increasing my investment to generate greater returns. I ultimately chose a platform that presented exceptionally high-profit projections. Without conducting thorough research, I committed a substantial sum of 68,000 Pounds to acquire a “gold account,” enticed by the promise of substantial returns on investment. Regrettably, I later discovered that the platform’s claims were fraudulent, and their promises were entirely unfounded. Faced with this realization, I was compelled to seek a means of recovering my lost funds. After careful consideration, I engaged the services of META TECH RECOVERY PRO to undertake this challenging task. To my immense relief and satisfaction, they performed exceptionally well, successfully retrieving my funds from the deceptive platform. I am profoundly grateful to the dedicated team at META TECH RECOVERY PRO for their expertise and unwavering commitment. for help via:
    Telegram:@METATECHRECOVERYPROTEAM
    WHATSAPP ‪+1 (469) 6 9 2 8 0 4 9‬

    Thank you.


Leave a comment