Dozing or drunk?
The other day I observed two pigeons sitting in a tree. After a while, they started preening. To my amazement, when I looked out again, one of them was lying on its back between two branches, presumably asleep, alongside its companion, who was perching normally. Is this normal behaviour? I have enclosed a picture to show that I had not been drinking, although I cannot say the same for the pigeon.
relaxed after your escape this week.” That’ll teach me for not setting the sleep timer while listening to episode 19 of your ‘Sound Escapes’ series – the hum of busy bumblebees – in bed! Jane Herbert, via email
Fergus Collins replies:
Well, with our ‘Sound Escapes’, we do say we want to bring the magic of nature into people’s homes when they can’t get there themselves. Thank you for this very entertaining story – we won’t be doing any on mosquitos or horseflies, you’ll be pleased to hear.
The Sound Escapes are mindful mini-podcasts of the seasonal sounds of nature – from birdsong to waterfalls to buzzing bees. You can find them on all podcast providers, such as Acast, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Countryfile podcast
Listen to our new season of countryside podcasts; visit iTunes or acast.com/bbccountryfilemagazine
SAVE MY PLANTS
The Countryfile Plant Britain initiative is very interesting, but unfortunately, it has made no reference to how to protect cultivated plants from slugs and snails. My wildlife garden has three hedgehogs and three ponds full of frogs, yet trying to grow any vegetables or flowers, particularly sunflowers, is a nightmare.
I have used slug pubs with beer, wool pellets, fire ash and even tried collecting the slugs in the late evening, but the plants are still getting destroyed. I had to use a few slug pellets in the greenhouse for a snail who was eating young plants. It would be so easy to throw slug pellets around the garden, but also very harmful for the wildlife. Any suggestions?
Jan Bateman
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Fergus Collins replies:
I sympathise – it can be hard to balance a wildlife garden with a vegetable patch. I also use beer traps and bramble stems around the edges of my raised beds. These seem to work and are a good use for unwanted brambles. I can strongly recommend BBC Two Gardeners’ World: Episode 17 (on iPlayer), which has a section about controlling slugs and snails without the use of poisons.
SOUNDS OF HOME
As a proud Welshman now living in Dubai, getting out in the oppressive heat here is a struggle and is mostly achievable at first light in our little green oasis in Dubai Sustainable City.
The new green spaces here, such as golf courses, parks and other landscaping, have resulted in a phenomenal change in birdlife. In the 14 years that we have been here, it has changed so much.
I love your plodcasts and soundscapes. They make me terribly homesick but carry me away from the busy and stressful city and work. Keep them coming.
For an overseas sound, I thought I would try to record the lovely morning trill of the male purple sunbird, sat on top of a tree with the sun catching its beautiful blue and purple colours that, in normal light, look to be pure black.
Chris Bridle, Dubai