Those (in the UK) of a certain age will remember a TV advertisement with the catch phrase “Roses grow on you” by the late Norman Vaughan. It would appear that my garden has been overtaken by roses these past two months. I’m not complaining – much :). This is the second year of my small garden and the two rose bushes 
planted last year have, shall we say, bloomed. Now at this time of year I’m a bit concerned as here we are in October and both bushes are still in full bloom with buds bursting out daily. Just how long is the growing season for roses in Scotland? Have I got roses or some form of Triffid? Mind you I can sit in front of my PC and lose hours looking at my garden and the visitors to my feeding stations. I’ve always been fascinated by birds (settle down in the back) I am of course referring to our feathered friends who forsake land for air. No doubt many of you have been bored reading my “At the Feeder Today” blogs, sorry abut that, no, I’m not :). It is getting colder here in Scotland we have had our first snowfall in the Cairngorms, which pleased the skiers and businesses there. This means that my feeders will become even busier as the birds begging to come back after their spring/summer feast of bugs etc. This year during the usual 
quiet months my feeders were well used by the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). This was the first time in 5 years that I have received such visitors. It was not one or two but a large wing of them. During the long breeding season and the consequent almost non stop fledging, these little birds devoured over 50 Kg of seed. I got so enthralled in watching the parent birds feeding their chicks at times I missed so many photo opportunities. Today at the feedes we have had House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Coal Tit (Parus ater) (A very rare visitor to my feeders), Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus), Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and a very stroppy Robin (Erithacus rebecla). The picture above shows him/her at his/her usual perch looking out for other birds. If the birds are smaller that him/her they get chased, if bigger he/she keeps a very low profile. I’m looking forward to seeing (I hope) Siskin (Carduelis spinus), Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba), Goldfinch (Carduelis caeduelis) this year. They were regulars last year.
