Retriever Rescue

as I looked out of the window early this morning and the birds were busy collecting fur for their nests... natural recycling at it's best.

Absolutely lovely! We have just spent a couple of hours giving Ella her spring..cut and blow.., she looks gorgeous and the birds have plenty for their nests. Hope they use it, the birds have have been a bit thin on the ground around here as we have a sparrowhawk in the area. Couldn't believe my eyes the other day.
We watched it pull a sparrow from inside the seed cage, the poor sparrow fought and hung on, but lost the battle and off it flew with it's prize.

How Fab is that, never thought of that, was brushing my two the other day and the fur was flying away,now I know what to do with it....

Hello there!
I have been putting Sam's fur out every day for several weeks, and no sooner have I put it out and retreated inside than the birds are there snatching it and flying off.
It's lovely to watch them at this time of year.
We had a lovely day in North Wales yesterday, and came back a bit red!! Sam went in the sea at Penrhyn Bay and came out, well, not exactly smelling of roses!!!
Today we shampoo'd him, and tried him with the hairdryer, and he stood there meekly and had his fur blow-dried. Bless him, you can do anything with him and he never retaliates or runs off.
Hope all the Goldens are well, or improving if they have been ill.
Best wishes to all - Samsmum (Joyce).

Really good shots of the birds collecting nest material.
Jazz & Candy's fur went on a Honeysuckle for collection.
However, close by there is an Azalea and an Alpine Rhododendron, Jazz has now started to rub his face in these two shrubs . This is not doing flower buds much good. An affronted face greets you when told to stop.
P, S , J & C

Wonderful!I always leave our dogs fur out for the birds.I like to think of them at night in their 5 star cosy nests!!

Beautiful photos Lynda. Yes, I too leave the combed out hair for the birds, have done since as a child we had a Cairn, her undercoat was always left for the birds. I stripped our 2 out a couple of weeks ago, left the hair in a border. Lots of little birds sporting moustaches when they gather up.

Off thread here, we went up to Jervaulx Abbey for the weekend, never seen so many road casualties. Pheasant, Grouse and Hedgehogs. It always upsets me to think they may have babies somewhere that will be left to starve. Sorry about that.
We had the most wonderful weekend in an absolutely magical spot, can't wait to go back there again.

I love to see the sparrows & blue tits collecting the hair. Duke not so impressed as he hates being brushed. Pictures lovely Lynda.