The highlight of today's visitors to the garden

[Tringa]

Here in NW Scotland it has been cold and windy for a while - nothing to compare with the conditions often experienced by some CiC members - but chilly for here. We wondered if the cold and the small snow shower would bring more birds to the garden feeders today but were surprised by these visitors.

Roe deer do visit the garden but infrequently and most often very late in the night so it was good to see them earlier this afternoon, even if they grazed a few plants. They seem to like griselinia, azalea, bramble and olearia.






Dave

[Jim A]

Lovely shots, Dave. I feel very jealous. I don't know of any such happenings here in NZ, thought we have lots of deer.

[Shadowman]

Nice shots.

[NorthernFocus]

A few shrubs/flowers is a small contribution for the benefits of having larger wildlife coming to visit. Though there are limits

I like the second shot.

[xpatUSA]

A few shrubs/flowers is a small contribution for the benefits of having larger wildlife coming to visit. Though there are limits

I like the second shot.

Me too, Dan. There are some who believe that one shouldn't have the animal's attention, but shot #2 rather belies that opinion.

Maybe it's the head/neck tilt that does it.

[Artshot]

Those are very nice photos. Something about the mix of green grass and snow that adds to the surprise of the deer.

[Tringa]

Thank you all. As you say Dan the loss of a few bits or, in the case of Hostas whole plants, is minor compared to having them visit.

Jim, your comment about deer in New Zealand reminded me of a conversation I had a few years ago with the man who runs this plant nursery - http://www.gcnursery.co.uk/

This nursery is a few miles north of here and we were asking advise about wind tolerant shrubs as our garden is very exposed. One he recommended was Griselinia littoralis (also know here as the New Zealand broadleaf) but said deer are particularly fond of it and the spread of red deer introduced to New Zealand around the mid 1800s was partly tracked by their impact on the Griselinia.

Dave

[Wavelength]

So lovely and cute....