In the garden is the sweetest little bird box. We bought it from the Hen on the Gate shop, when it was there, where they sold just the most wonderful things. You could get really tasty organic veg, fruit and foodstuffs as well as some delicious natural cosmetics and, if you were that way inclined, wines and spirits. They also had a tea room and it was almost a ritual that when we went to do our shopping, we'd also have a coffee and cake.
They had quite a lot of space at the back of the place too and sold books, cards and Arabian tents, later also branching into summer houses which were displayed by the pond.
That's where we bought our bird box. It went on the back fence in the garden and we waited, and waited.
One day, our patience was rewarded when we noticed somebirdy [note play on words ...] going in and out of the entrance. As the hole was only about 1" across, the bird was also destined to be quite wee and came from the tit variety. We got quite excited although we never disturbed it and if we were very quiet, we could hear their voices if we went close enough.
The cat was quite fascinated by it too and would spend many hours patiently waiting underneath to see if any goodies might fall that direction - luckily they didn't.
We eagerly anticipated the birds' return again this year and although I occasionally saw a passing visitor, no one ever took up residence - or did they?
I was up the garden path today and just happened to take a look at the bird box and thought, why, someone has covered the bird box with bubble wrap because that's exactly what it looked like. On closer inspection, the bird box was buzzing and was absolutely SMOTHERED in wasps! It was home again, but this year to a whole colony of the stripy-jumper buzzers.
They have been asked in no uncertain terms to vacate the property and it will sadly have to be demolished. There will be no replacement for the bird box as unfortunately the organic shop suddenly closed down and has remained up for sale ever since. They did in fact move to a smaller premises not too far from the original but with not such a wide choice.
I do miss the shop and tea rooms and I also miss the departed tit family but don't expect that I will ever miss the wasp nest.
Thank you for visiting ....
4 comments:
Gosh! Somebody sent me an e mail only yesterday saying that their bat box had been invaded by wasps and their nest had been spewing out of it. Glad you got to see birds in it at least once though.
How rude! Helping themselves to your lovely wee birdy box when quite clearly the terms of the lease said birdies only.
:(
What a shame that those mean old stingers took up residence in your dear little bird box. I'm sure you will find another one. You'll know it when you see it. Hopefully the wasps won't know it too! Good luck!
Judge not of men and things at first sight.............................................................
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