We got a bit of rain today but it is still extremely dry. Only the weed survive. 

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia )

Some time ago I took a very small plant of a Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia ) from my father's garden. It did not do very well the first couple of years but earlier this year, maybe thanks to the warm weather, it was really a joy to see.

Wet and cold, dry and warm..

Spring was very cold and wet with flooded rivers and a much needed boost to the ground water level. It was therefore not a big surprise when the weather in May and June changed and it became very warm and dry. This has continued and July is now one of the warmest we have had in a long time. I remember 1959 as one of the warmest ever but it is possible that 2018 might be just as dry and hot.

There is still water in the well but the grass is more or less gone and many trees have gone into sleeping mood with yellow or brown leaves. No need to cut the grass on the lawn and the farmers are suffering and have had to cut the grass on all fields where they can find some food for their animals.

Snake in paradise :(

Snakes are not very common in Svångemåla but now and then we are either happy to see a Grass snake (natrix natrix) or less happy to spot a European adder (Vipera berus). A large sample of the latter enjoyed the sunshine at our gate the other day. It was very lazy and did not move even when we looked at it from just a couple of meters. They are poisonous but move normally away quickly when they feel the vibrations of someone coming.

Searching for food.

There are unusually many Common blackbirds (Turdus merula) in our garden this year. I have still not been able to identify where they are nesting but it must be very close to our house since they are walking around looking for worms and other stuff they can eat just outside our door.

 The technique is the same for most birds... tilt the head and listen carefully.

 The song thrush (Turdus philomelos)  uses the same technique and is often just as successful as the black bird.

Plenty of young ones in Svångemåla!

This little wagtail seems determined to make it although it did not sound very confident. 

A sibling sat in a bush not far away and sounded a bit more confident.

 The parents were close by and took turns feeding the little ones.

My favourite bird!

Hunting.

Singing in the linden tree.

Early morning at Örarevet, 24th of May

Birds, birds and some flowers :)

Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

The Common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) sings very loudly this time of the year. A wonderful little bird that I would like to have even more of.

The Thicket shadbush or Amelanchier spicata seems to enjoy the soil in Svångemåla. 

Damson plum (Prunus domestica) has very sour fruits but its flowers are wonderful.

 European pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) is, as I have written before, a very aggressive little bird that has chased away several Great tits from the birdhouses I put up.

One of the Great tits (Parus major) that has not fled the area.

Örarevet May 2018

Örarevet is an absolute favorite of mine. To sit in the sun and see all the birds is the best way of relaxing I can think of but it can also be exciting when you see a tern hunt just in front of you. Fast, brave, skilled are just a few of the words that came to my mind.

A common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) managed to stand on one led in the soft wind.