Awful weather - typical Brits talk

Davesnave

mad_spaniel said:

Are wrens rare?
I've got a shrub, I can't remember the name of it, with bright purple winter berries. Very attractive, but I've never seen a bird go near it. Anyone know the name and if it's poisonous?

Wrens are common where I am. They're much 'nicer' birds than robins, as they bully other birds less and may be just as tame, once they're used to seeing people about. They're so small, they get into/out of my polytunnel anytime and at this time of year they keep it aphid-free.

The shrub sounds like Callicarpa. Here's a link:

https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/callicarpa-bodinieri-var-giraldi-profusion/classid.582/

Farway

mad_spaniel said:

I've got a shrub, I can't remember the name of it, with bright purple winter berries. Very attractive, but I've never seen a bird go near it. Anyone know the name and if it's poisonous?

AS Dave said, here's one I took at Wisley this Autumn, hits you in the eyes

Davesnave

I'm not going out to photograph mine.; it's peeing down here. Anyway, mine isn't that brilliant, as it's not Profusion, but one I raised from seed. (Callicarpa bogstandardii)

mad_spaniel

Davesnave said:

I'm not going out to photograph mine.; it's peeing down here. Anyway, mine isn't that brilliant, as it's not Profusion, but one I raised from seed. (Callicarpa bogstandardii)

Yes it's callicarpa as per your link . Thanks for yje link. The 'bogstandardii' made me laugh. Thanks 

goldfinches

Black_Cat2 said:

Charm is a great word for them, they are so gentle and not at all making any ruckus like the elusive (these days) starlings do.

It's a great pic G, heron is pretty well blending in there.  Tell me, is it hard work looking after your 'small estate' there in the background? 😹

Hi BC, my staff of trusty Meadow Keepers do the work and I merely supervise on a daily basis. We even employ some women nowadays, very forward and woke here! 

Black_Cat2

goldfinches said:

Black_Cat2 said:

Charm is a great word for them, they are so gentle and not at all making any ruckus like the elusive (these days) starlings do.

It's a great pic G, heron is pretty well blending in there.  Tell me, is it hard work looking after your 'small estate' there in the background? 😹

Hi BC, my staff of trusty Meadow Keepers do the work and I merely supervise on a daily basis. We even employ some women nowadays, very forward and woke here! 

Lol! 😹. Careful, they'll be asking for equal pay next! 😹

goldfinches

Black_Cat2 said:

goldfinches said:

Black_Cat2 said:

Charm is a great word for them, they are so gentle and not at all making any ruckus like the elusive (these days) starlings do.

It's a great pic G, heron is pretty well blending in there.  Tell me, is it hard work looking after your 'small estate' there in the background? 😹

Hi BC, my staff of trusty Meadow Keepers do the work and I merely supervise on a daily basis. We even employ some women nowadays, very forward and woke here! 

Lol! 😹. Careful, they'll be asking for equal pay next! 😹

Ha! Now if they want to drive the vehicles there may be one or two problems with their colleagues, I believe the bearded toilers regard this as their particular possession.
John Deere Gator 855D 2015 + VAT | eBay
It does look very useful to me, just think what you could get in the back there, the imagination runs riot.

Davesnave

goldfinches said:

Black_Cat2 said:

goldfinches said:

Black_Cat2 said:

Charm is a great word for them, they are so gentle and not at all making any ruckus like the elusive (these days) starlings do.

It's a great pic G, heron is pretty well blending in there.  Tell me, is it hard work looking after your 'small estate' there in the background? 😹

Hi BC, my staff of trusty Meadow Keepers do the work and I merely supervise on a daily basis. We even employ some women nowadays, very forward and woke here! 

Lol! 😹. Careful, they'll be asking for equal pay next! 😹

Ha! Now if they want to drive the vehicles there may be one or two problems with their colleagues, I believe the bearded toilers regard this as their particular possession.
John Deere Gator 855D 2015 + VAT | eBay
It does look very useful to me, just think what you could get in the back there, the imagination runs riot.

We put the fields in the back of the one we use.
I love watching it laying its hay eggs. If only the hens could do them two at a time!

Farway

It's wet again, only gardening will be emptying the accrued tea leaves onto the garden

[Deleted User]

mad_spaniel said:

Are wrens rare? I have a tiny wren come visiting regularly outside, I can see him whilst sitting on my sofa as he hops around outside no more than 8' away, darting in-between the flower pots just outside the door, looking for insects.

 If I put bread out during the day only the crows get a look in. They have an uncanny knack of spotting the pieces before anything else . They menace the sky in a dark cloud, before swooping down to plunder the food. If it's dark, then the badgers come and snuffle the pieces up before morning. They leave a track they come so regularly Not bad for a relatively suburban back garden!

I've got a shrub, I can't remember the name of it, with bright purple winter berries. Very attractive, but I've never seen a bird go near it. Anyone know the name and if it's poisonous?

Not rare near me, i love these little birds and see them all the time, they love the tiny insects that live on fence panels and that's usually where i see them. 
That shrub is probably Callicarpa, absolutely gorgeous purple berries.