shirls gardenwatch

Garden watching blogger loving chat & images of wildlife, birds & plants here. Recommend building a pond for the wildlife it can support.

[shirls gardenwatch @shirlsgw]

New update blog on metabolic bone disease in #hedgehogs and not feeding them bird foods. Thanks go to all includ hedgehog carers for promoting this esp @HedgehogCabin for pointing me in direction of info to support this. https://t.co/ja7zgc3GQW @Britnatureguide @hedgehogsociety

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

How Japanese have produced wood for 700 years, without cutting down trees.

Daisugi is an ancient Japanese forestry technique developed in the 14th century originally used by people living in the Kitayama region, because the territory was extremely poor in saplings.

They planted cedars pruned in a special way to produce shoots that eventually would become perfect, straight, knot-free lumbers.

The shoots are gently pruned by hand every two years leaving only the top boughs, allowing them to grow straight. Harvesting takes 20 years and old 'tree stock' can grow up to a hundred shoots at a time.

There was actually another reason why the technique was developed: fashion. In the 14th century, a linear, stylized form of architecture known as sukiya-zukuri (数寄屋造り) became popular, and every prominent samurai or nobleman wanted a house built in this way.

There were simply not enough raw materials available to keep up with demand, so daisugi was developed to produce more wood in a shorter time.

The wood produced with this technique has also impressive qualities: it's 140% more flexible than standard cedar and 200% denser and stronger. And, it's extremely durable.

[shirls gardenwatch @shirlsgw]

Hi all at #Winterwatch good luck in attracting #waxwings to apples on tree branches. Suggest red, core & thread almost whole or halved. Thrilled here, dull day, March 2018, an enclosed Perthshire garden, Scotland with pruned apple tree branches bolted on post. @BBCSpringwatch

[shirls gardenwatch @shirlsgw]

@Matt_Pinner Gloaming

[shirls gardenwatch @shirlsgw]

@abbyaug @jamjarart Monopoly card game 👍

[John Pow @Johnpow1]

The last few times there has been an #Aurora alert I have been too lazy to go out. So when I saw all the alerts pinging at teatime tonight I decided to forego my usual Saturday night tipple and head out to the "Kissing Trees" between Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy.

Look closely you can see the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) in all its glory.

Do you think it was worth the effort?
#auroraborealis #scotland #fife

[Joel Ashton 🍃🌳🍃 @_JoelAshton]

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you who have decided to follow me over the last 6 years on this platform. Can’t quite believe there’s now 20k of you! ❤️ I post to raise awareness of the importance of conserving #nature. Here’s to many more habitats for #wildlife 👍

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

This train is the McKinley Explorer and offers a route from Anchorage all the way to Alaska’s famed Denali National Park with glass-domed railcars and a view on the territories wild interior

[📹 jasminmccarthyy]

[Anna Hamilton Art @annahamiltonart]

I hate doing this, but I am desperate for sales, as currently a few hundred pounds short of being able to cover my bills this month.
Please, if you’ve ever thought about buying from me, now would be a great time. Even if all you can do is retweet this, I’d be so grateful (1/2)

[WildlifeKate @katemacrae]

I climbed up to the #YewView tawny box, to repair some squirrel damage. As I took the lid off, loads of hornets flew out! I bid a hasty retreat. I am now live streaming a cam in there to watch them. A stock dove is on eggs underneath! 😱😱

Check out tawny box cam on my website.

[People's Trust for Endangered Species @PTES]

Last month, 22 wildcats were released into the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. This will boost the population and re-establish the highland tiger to where it once roamed. 🐈

Read more 👉https://t.co/y2v2APjLlq

📸 @SaveOurWildcats

#Wildcats #WildlifeReintroduction

[shirls gardenwatch @shirlsgw]

@hedgehoghugh @Kate_Bradbury @katemacrae @hedgehogsociety @PTES Yes I would, all info helps the hedgehog even this I guess. Haven't seen full resolution or heard if sound captures baby crying/calling inside but hedgehog that went in was running along roof and desperately trying to find way in! Can't deny not nice viewing when it shakes it.

[shirls gardenwatch @shirlsgw]

Garden camera showed harsh side of nature this am after dead baby #hedgehog found on path. 1st hedgehogs born in hedgehog house too 🎉 footage shows a hedgehog went inside, dragged it out, shook & bulldozed it 😱 has anyone seen this? @hedgehoghugh @Kate_Bradbury @katemacrae

[Lisa Wellwood Artist @studio22artz]

Interaction on here seems to have dipped again. Trying to keep a small business afloat is harder by the day. Given the choice, I’d much rather be working so I know I have a regular, sufficient income, but I’m not well enough. Any RTs grateful as reach is getting worse. Thanks x

[shirls gardenwatch @shirlsgw]

https://t.co/AUOOkdAQ6P

[Jack Wallington @jackwallington]

Daylight is already 12 minutes longer than the winter solstice on 21st December, increasing by a minute a day and speeding up. Hang in there. ☀️ 🌱

[Ben Meer @SystemSunday]

How to go minimalist in 2023.

Declutter 5 areas of your life:

[Elaine Bradley @LaineyBradley]

It's so cold in Edinburgh one of the local otters was spotted running across a frozen Duddingston Loch!
@ScotWildlife @HolyroodRanger #wildlife #winter

[shirls gardenwatch @shirlsgw]

@wildfreckle Not sure, but known to me down here in Perthshire, daughters have done it every month since young and use WhatsApp to keep it going still 👍

[Ian Carter @IanCarter67]

Sat at my desk trying to concentrate but…

[Lucy 💚 @LSummersauthor]

After 40 yrs of gardening, here’s some advice for what it’s worth...We all have regrets but I can 100% guarantee there will NEVER be a day in your life where you’ll wish that you had spent less time in the garden 🌺🍒🦋