This is the feeder I got during the snow, to hang the fatballs in. When I hung them directly from the tree, I'd see the little blue and coal tits pecking away - but then an hour later the whole ball would be gone. I was assuming that it was the pigeons or the magpies, extra hungry in the cold - but after we saw the squirrel, he's another candidate. I didn't look carefully enough in the pet shop, and there was a bar across the top which meant the only way of getting a fat ball in was to cut it up. So I've since got another more suitable feeder for the fatballs, and will use this one for peanuts. Yesterday was the first time I put the nuts in, and before I was back in the house, the robin was checking it out.
The other little robin is getting less timid - it will fly down to the patio for worms now, but won't stay and eat them on the ground - it flies straight back up to the wall to eat them.
We had this tomato and onion bake last night - it's been a while since I made it, but it always goes down well. I don't make a lot of bakes, but it's always nice having the preparation done and free time while it cooks.
Tomato and Onion Bake serves 2
1 large onion, sliced thinly
1 red pepper, cut into thin strips.
3 medium tomatoes, skinned and sliced
breadcrumbs to cover
2 eggs
Melt a bit of butter in a frying pan and cook the pepper and onion over a low heat for at least ten minutes, till soft but not browned. Season to taste with salt, pepper and a pinch of cayenne.
Put into a greased ovenproof dish. Layer the tomatoes over this, seasoning again with salt and pepper. Sometimes I add a bit of fresh basil in with the tomatoes. Cover with breadcrumbs and dot with a bit more butter.
Bake in a medium hot oven - 175C, 350F for 30-40 minutes. Press the back of a large spoon into the top of the crumbs, to make shallow depressions. Crack the eggs in, season and return to the oven. Depending on the oven temperature and size of eggs, it should take 5 - 8 minutes till the whites are set.
We've had a racoon stealing our suet cakes right out of the feeder at night so my husband has started taking it in and putting it out - when he can remember. This was after we lost several of the baskets! They sure were determined.
ReplyDeleteThe bake sounds delicious - definitely going to try it!
What an awesome photo of the robin, Sabrina! We, too, constantly struggle with squirrels climbing the pole to steal the bird food.
ReplyDeleteThe tomato and onion bake sounds scrumpcious!