ABC Wednesday......

U is for UNDER...
...and UPDATE!

The people who lived here before us put some old railway sleepers in the garden, as edging and in place of a small wall. I find all sorts around them. I spotted mousie tucked behind one the other night and threw him a grape. I didn't really know what to throw this wee fella, though:

Can you see him?
It's about 9pm, and he is just coming out of his daytime snug-spot under one of the sleepers.Bit closer.... (and a bit blurred, sorry 'bout that.. )We're told that years ago, maybe till 2002, there was a pond in the garden. The previous owners filled it in as they were worried about their toddler falling in. Nobody told the frogs and newts, and we still get them! I might see a maximum of two frogs in the daytime, but if it rains in the evening they all appear. I creep about the garden looking at them, saying hello and counting. (I'm fully aware that either the frogs or the neighbours or both will think I'm barmy. Hey ho.) The record so far is 18. I wonder where all the others hide out????

We can't do a pond, but we do have birdbaths on the lawn, and one or two frogs snuggle in under that. I also keep a small, covered tray filled with water under a tree for them. Sort of a mini frog-lido:
That's a ceramic lizard in the front of this next pic, but he soon gave the frogs the right idea. Here's one enjoying the cool pool, safe and secret, under the roof:

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Remember "Q is for Quack" a few weeks ago???
Are they OK?
Are they still together?

Well, "U" is for "Update", after all, so.....hey, what's this?....
Ah! A pile of ducks!!!!
Looks like the kids have got new shoes....
"Look, Ma! Winglets!"
She looks very pleased and proud:
And no wonder- she still has all eleven, safe and well!
During the "Half Term" week's holiday, when the school was closed, the caretaker went in and checked on them regularly, with food etc. There were lots of storms that week, and heavy rain, so it was important to see that they got through it OK...

We don't know when it will be that they are lead through the classroom and out the other side to the school's larger pond, but we've asked them to give us notice of the great event- hopefully we'll get it on video!!!

Meanwhile, here's a few seconds of them moving around(!)-

If you can't see it here, try direct on YouTube via this link.

Hope they made you smile!

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For more info ABC Wednesday posts, go to

Mrs Nesbitt's blog

where you will see info on how to join in, and a table of links to those taking part.

*****

ABC Wednesday......

Q is for QUACK!

Meet Jemima.....My partner teaches at a primary school (ages 4-11). The school buildings form a rectangle round a central courtyard, in the centre of which is a small pond.

For the last 4 or 5 years, a duck has flown in at the first sign of spring, and made a nest. The children have named her "Jemima". Here she is, two week's ago, with this year's batch of new quackers hiding under her wings.....here they are just two days old...

There were 12 eggs and 11 hatched.

The sides of the pond are too steep for the youngsters, so the school caretaker put in a ramp for them:

Here's a short film of them using the ramp, proud mum standing by and going "Quackackackack". The food is special grain bought by the school from a pet shop.

These next pictures were taken this Monday. Look how they've grown in less than 2 weeks!A proud and happy mum.

Still 11, all present and correct!

There will soon come a time when the pond is too small for them. Luckily, the school has a larger one. Unluckily, it is on the other side of the buildings- remember, the pond is in a courtyard enclosed by classrooms. Well, don't worry! When the time comes, they open the door of one of the classrooms and lead the family straight through and out the other side, much to the amusement of the children.

*****

For more info ABC Wednesday posts, go to

Mrs Nesbitt's blog

where you will see info on how to join in, and a table of links to those taking part.

*****