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This year, I will be gardening for the very first time. I would like the garden to be as natural as possible and I think it would be nice to encourage wildlife to spend some time amongst the flora which will, hopefully, grow in the rich and fertile soil of this part of Flanders.

All winter I have been putting bread out for the birds. We get the usual suspects here: Blackbirds, Blue Tits, the odd Magpie, a couple of Wood Pigeons (more acceptable than their city living cousins) and a Wren.

Over the past few weeks I have noticed a worrying trend in my garden. The birds are becoming obese. Not, a bit chubby... obese. Two blackbirds, in particular, have developed a waddle. They have to take run ups to take off. I don't think they have anything to fear from next doors cat, because I suspect that he has been eating the bread I put out as well.

The other worrying trend has been that the avian grape vine appears to have been busy. Yesterday morning, a flock of Starlings descended from the sky and helped themselves to a free meal. It was like scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie. When they left, there was nothing left. Even the grass had been eaten...

They are back today, sitting on the fence...waiting...abusing the two fat Blackbirds. Calling them names...