Scented Clematis, Apples growing on Camellia and a Bald Blackbird
I have two camellias growing against a north facing wall. One is very established and has provided a good show of blooms for several years. The second and later planted camellia looks health with very dark green glossy leaves. Because of its position I have to admit it gets a bit overlooked when not in flower. However, this week I had a great surprise – it had fruits. Beautiful fruits at that. This is a first for me and I hope it is not the last. Apparently the fruits should eventually split when ripe and release seeds. If it was trying to grab my attention it has certainly succeeded.
Also doing me proud at the moment in a north facing aspect is my Clematis Rubromarginata. If you do not know this clematis then I recommend you take the trouble to become familiar with it. I will not go into detail about this beautifully perfumed clematis but you can read more in my article Clematis x triternata Rubromarginata.
What is it about my blackbirds? Speckles is still as tame as ever but we have another visitor that I have not mentioned. He is very nervous which is not surprising when you look at his picture. This poor soul does not grow head and neck feathers. Last winter was mild and he survived but I am not sure how he will fare if we have a really cold winter.
im so glad i found your site, this week i think i have seen a bald blackbird in my garden and our street today. he was very odd looking, i was so freaked out that i emailed the rspcb to find out what it was, i thought i had witnessed an escaped tiny baby vulture,obviously i know nothing about birds, i think it must be a bald blackbird now, why is he like this? i will try and photo him. xx
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Hi
When we saw our "Baldy" close up his skin around the margins of the feathers he had left on his head looked very sore. One theory we had was that it could be feather mites causing the problem but that is only a guess.
The good news is that when he had his autumn moult we noticed that his head feathers were starting to grow back and were looking healthy. The large bald patch was much smaller and we suspect that it has disappeared as we have not seen him for some time. The bald patch was the only distinguishing feature so once that has gone.....
The good news is that my good friend Speckles is still around and bossing the garden. As soon as he catches sight of me he flies down and sits on the pot outside the shed waiting for his fruit! A real character and I will miss him if and when he moves on.
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