Love Birds card by Fran Evans
SKU: IF193
Fran Evans has worked closely with Two Bad Mice for over twenty years. She lives in Wales with two children and is very well known for her book illustrations.
Two Bad Mice produce a wide variety of cards and gifts for Animal Lovers by contemporary Artists. Fran’s cards are especially strong on images with badgers
Each card comes with an address label and coloured envelope
Birds and Blossom Washi Tape by Julian Williams
1.5cm wide x 10 meters long
SKU: WJ101
Washi is a tearable, repositionable, decorative sticky tape made from natural plant fibres. Washi was developed in Japan over 3 decades ago where they are very popular and found in every high street store. Customers use them for wrapping parcels, craft making and decorating household items like iPhones.
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Showing all 7 results
You could mix in some swans?
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Showing all 6 results
Permalink:https://shop.twobadmice.com/themes-plain-white-tiles/(opens in a new tab)Edit
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Another range that would make good gifts for bird watchers are our blue and white ranges. One of the ranges features Mute Swans
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Showing all 18 results
Our Blue and white birds range was developed by Julian Williams
These page links may be useful;
We have a limited range of blue and white china suitable as tableware for bird watchers
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Showing all 4 results
For our off the shelf range we have only used two of the seven garden birds. Using the bespoke service we have seven options, and you can widen the selection further by mixing the garden birds with the swans.
We are developing a bespoke service which will allow customers to make orders for these other designs. For instance if you combine the bird with tall mugs you get a set that will look like this. An ideal gift for a bird lover
There are draw backs to using the bespoke services
The birds can also be used for kitchen and bathroom splash backs. The transfers can be used to make all sorts of interesting patterns
Lavender and Ladybirds Small Bowl by Fran Evans
SKU: KBSF9
Small Sized Fine Bone China Bowls; Diameter 8.5 cm
They make popular gifts for garden lovers
Come with colourful gift boxes
The range are very collectible
Lavender and Ladybirds Medium Bowl by Fran Evans
SKU: KBMF9
Diameter 11.8 cm : Lavender & Ladybirds Medium Bone China Bowl by Fran Evans
They make popular gifts for Wild Flower and Nature lovers
Come with colourful gift boxes
The range are very collectible
Charming The Birds card by Anita Jeram
SKU: M271
Anita Jeram has worked closely with Two Bad Mice for over twenty years, She is very well known for her book illustrations, especially for the Little Nut Brown Hare painting from the classic bestselling children’s book “Guess How Much I Love You”.
Two Bad Mice produce a wide variety of cards and gifts for Cat Lovers and Animal Lovers by contemporary Artists.
Each card comes with an address label and coloured envelope
You may find these links interesting: Ideas for Cat Lovers
Merry Christmas Birds inserts – Folding inserts for use inside Two Bad Mice Cards
Instructions
Download the PDF
Print on an A4 sheet of paper
There are two inserts on each printed sheet; cut out each insert with a straight edge and sharp razor knife or scissors
Fold the inserts along the centre
Stick the insert on the inside of a Two Bad Mice card (a single dab of glue on one side is usually enough)
Every insert have areas where a personal hand written message can be added.
Feeding Birds In The Snow – Folding inserts for use inside Two Bad Mice Cards
Instructions
Download the PDF
Print on an A4 sheet of paper
There are two inserts on each printed sheet; cut out each insert with a straight edge and sharp razor knife or scissors
Fold the inserts along the centre
Stick the insert on the inside of a Two Bad Mice card (a single dab of glue on one side is usually enough)
Every insert have areas where personal hand written message can be added.
MAKE YOUR OWN SEASCAPE USING OUR TILE VIEWER
This page is experimental to demonstrate products we are developing for the future
MAKE YOUR OWN SEASCAPE USING OUR TILE VIEWER
This page is experimental to demonstrate products we are developing for the future
Two Birds And A Bear Card by Fran Evans
SKU: IF13
Three Birds Platinum card by Fromental
SKU: IW4
Visit www.fromental.co.uk to see their wonderful handpainted wallpapers
Birds Pink Gift Wrap by Anita Jeram
SKU: GM02
1 sheet of giftwrap 40cm X 70cm
Pearlite paper (it has a glistening surface)
It is best to buy a mailing tube to avoiding folding
Birds Black Gift Wrap by Anita Jeram
SKU: GM03
1 sheet of giftwrap 40cm X 70cm
Pearlite paper (it has a glistening surface)
It is best to buy a mailing tube to avoiding folding
Birds Yellow Gift Wrap by Anita Jeram
SKU: GM04
1 sheet of giftwrap 40cm X 70cm
Pearlite paper (it has a glistening surface)
It is best to buy a mailing tube to avoiding folding
Birds in a Bush Card from a watercolour by Anna Shuttlewood
SKU: ID43
The Birds And The Bees Card by Anita Jeram
SKU: M156
Anita Jeram has worked closely with Two Bad Mice for over twenty years, She is very well known for her book illustrations, especially for the Little Nut Brown Hare painting from the classic best selling children’s book “Guess How Much I Love You”.
Two Bad Mice produce a wide variety of cards and gifts for Cat Lovers and Animal Lovers by contemporary Artists.
Each card comes with an address label and coloured envelope
You may find these links interesting: Ideas for Cat Lovers
The Black-eared Catbird (Ailuroedus melanotis) is a striking emerald-green bowerbird found in the rainforests of New Guinea and northern Queensland, Australia. It is named for its distinctive black ear patch and its vocalizations, which sound remarkably like a cat’s wailing or yowling. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Characteristics
Handsome, My Dog Is… Notebook with Envelope by Anita Jeram
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6M03
Radiant, My Dog Is… Notebook with Envelope by Anita Jeram
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6M01
Sociable, My Dog Is… Notebook with Envelope by Anita Jeram
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6M02
Sweet, ABC of Cats Notebook with Envelope by Anita Jeram
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6M06
Canary , ABC of Cats Notebook with Envelope by Anita Jeram
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6M05
Kiss, ABC of Cats Notebook with Envelope by Anita Jeram
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6M04
SKU: B57
Greeting card with coloured envelope featuring birds and butterflies
These Bird cards are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards.
Know your Tits Bird Nature Notebook with Envelope by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6B42
These bird notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
Know Your Tits
Blue Tits are small acrobatic birds with pretty blue caps. They are very common visitors to the bird table
Great Tits are one of the largest tits easily identified by the black bibs that run in a thick black stripe over their bright yellow breasts. In spring they have distinctive loud song and can often be seen singing high in the trees.
Long Tailed Tits are very social birds almost always seen in larger groups. They will only visit the bird table if you put out suet balls
Marsh Tits and Willow tits. These two species have black caps and look almost identical to each other. Experienced birdwatchers separate the species by their call and wing stripes. They are occasional visitors to bird tables
Coal Tits are identified by the white stripes that run down the nape of their necks.
Crested Tits live in pine forests. They have a widespread distribution in Europe, but in Britain are only found in Scotland
Orange Tips Butterfly Notebook with Envelope by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6B45
These butterfly notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) on Cuckoo Flowers
Orange Tips are medium small butterflies in the family Pieridae, which contains about 1,100 species. The butterflies are mainly found throughout Europe and temperate Asia. Only the males have the signature orange tips to their wings. The females, which have no orange tips, can be easily mistaken for Green Veined or Small Whites, however the underside the hind wings of all Orange Tips are distinctively marked and delicately patterned (illustrated).
The adult butterflies, which only fly for a few weeks in mid Spring, are harbingers of warmer more settled weather after the long cold months of winter. They lay their eggs on the developing seed pods of cuckooflower and garlic mustard.
Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis); Its common name refers to the arrival of the flowers at the same time as the cuckoo begins to sing. The plants have gained other folk names, including Ladies Smock because in olden times the rifts of pale blooms painted the green meadows with patches of off-white, and this would remind people of the washing left to dry in the sun. Another common name is Milkmaids.
The leaves of Cuckooflower are edible and are from the same genus as plants from which the spice cardamom is made. The leaves can be used in salads as a substitute for water cress. The leaves taste of hot mustard or wasabi, the flowers faintly of cress with sweet and hot hints. A tea made with the leaves of this plant was often used in the past as a Spring tonic or for menstrual disorders.
Bullfinches Notebook with Envelope by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6B41
These bird notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
The rose red breasted bullfinch with its black cap and bright white rump is one of the easiest garden birds to identify, but they are quite shy birds and quite easily missed. Experienced birdwatchers will often hear their mewing calls before seeing their presence.
In spring they feed voraciously on the buds of fruit trees. Their name bullfinch maybe a shortening of Bullace Finch (Bullace being the Tudor name for the wild plum trees that they cultivated in their orchards). Other folk names derived from their habit of stripping the buds from fruit trees include Bud finches, Bud pickers (Devon) and Plum birds.
A more widely believed theory is that the bullfinch got its name from its large thick head and stocky form, like bull dog and bull frog. Some birdwatchers claim to have seen the birds head-butt other finches off the bird table. Other folk names include Alpe, Nope, Pope and Monk.
The female is a pretty pale pink.
Painted Ladies Butterfly Notebook with Envelope by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6B46
These butterfly notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui) feeding on Knapweed
Those living in Northern Europe we will often see these butterflies in mid-summer feeding on thistles and buddleia. This butterfly has become one of the most studied insects on earth following the discovery of their extraordinary multi-generational migratory lifestyle that has been mapped out through using isotopes as markers and the help of thousands of citizens contributing towards the “Worldwide Painted Lady Migratory Project”.
The butterflies overwinter in North Africa, Morocco and Sahel south of the Sahara desert. By the spring the winter population has exploded and the butterflies start migrating north, using a sun compass to choose appropriate wind currents on which to hitch rides. On arrival in northern latitudes the migrants breed and multiply, building up their populations sufficiently for their offspring to migrate back to recolonise N. Africa for the winter. The whole migratory cycle of up to 12,000 km can take place across six generations. A similar migration happens between Mexico and Canada.
The Painted Lady is said to have been given its name by Victorian butterfly collectors who likened the bright pink spots on the undersides of their wings to the painted rouged cheeks and bright red lips of ladies of the evening.
The caterpillars feed in silken tents on a wide range of food plants, including thistles, nettles and soya.
Swallowtail Butterfly 64 page Notebook with Envelope by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6B48
These bird notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
European Swallowtail Papilio machaon on Queen Anne’s Lace
Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies in the family Papilionidae, and include over 550 species. Anyone who has visited Southern Europe will have noticed the European Swallowtail which is unmistakable butterflies, they seem to be everywhere. In Britain we have a sub-species (P. marchaon britannicus) that only feeds on Milk-parsley and is now confined to a few scattered colonies on reserves in the Norfolk Broads. Britannicus is a smaller, weaker insect than its Continental cousin (gorganus)
In recent years there have been increasing numbers of migrants of the larger and far more robust European varieties crossing the Channel and breeding. The caterpillars of the continental gorganus feed on a broader range of umbellifers than our native sub-species; such commonly found plants as wild carrot, wild angelica, fennel and hogweed. This silent invasion is raising hopes that gorganus could soon be established and seen more widely across southern Britain.
Almost all swallowtail species have forked tails on their hindwings from which they get their common name. Their caterpillars are equally exotic, often marked with fake eyes to make them look more frightening to birds and armed with glands that excrete pungent smelling oils if disturbed.
Sparrows Bird Nature Notebook with Envelope by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and will fit inside an envelop so you can send them as a gift or thank you card. Each of the 64 pages is uniquely illustrated with different birds, butterflies and plants
The back of the notebook has a description of the butterfly illustrated on the front cover
The notebook can be used as a pocket notebook, or beside the telephone as a notepad (as the pages can be ripped out)
SKU: SNB6B29
These bird notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
Goldfinch Bird 64 page Notebook with Envelope by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6B37
These bird notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
The Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Goldfinches are adapted to feed on thorny plants like thistles and teasel. Folk stories developed that the goldfinch, sometimes known as Saviour birds, acquired its red face after it got splashed with blood whilst pulling thorns from Christ’s brow. In medieval pictures goldfinches were often depicted with the Madonna and Child and John the Baptist as a forewarning that Christ would save humanity through his crucifixion.
In the Canterbury Tales, Chaucer mentions the cook “gaily dressed he was as is a goldfinch in the woods” In the 18th century used “goldfinch” as a slang word for a wealthy person in fancy clothing.
Goldfinches, renowned for their beauty and pretty song, were trapped each year to be sold as cage-birds. They were so popular that by the 19th century the trapping had caused the population to crash. The numbers recovered following the success of one of the earliest conservation campaigns by the then newly formed Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Other common names include thistle tweaker, thistle finch, goldie, gold linnet, redcap and King Harry. The collective name for goldfinches is a charm, is derived from the old English c’irm, describing the birds’ twittering song.
Small Tortoiseshell Nature Notebook with Envelope by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6B43
These butterfly notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
The Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae
The Small Tortoiseshell cohabits with humans in our urban environments making it one of Europe’s most familiar garden butterflies. In winter the butterflies are to be found hibernating in garden sheds, and are amongst the first butterflies to be seen flying on warm early Spring days. In mid-summer you will sometimes come across their spikey black larva feeding on patches of nettles in the corners of the garden. By the time Autumn arrives the new broods of fresh adult butterflies have emerged from their chrysalides and we see them feeding on the nectar of Buddleia flowers from which they make fat reserves for their long winter hibernation.
They do not migrate, but have a very broad distribution that reaches from Lapland inside the Arctic Circle down to the coast of N. Africa in the far south. Unfortunately in recent years this butterfly has suffered a worrying decline, but the cause of a recent decline is not yet known, although various theories have been proposed. One is the increasing presence of a particular parasitic fly, Sturmia bella, due to global warming.
Nettles, like the tortoiseshell butterflies, thrive in urban environments where the soil has had its phosphorous and nitrogen levels boosted by animal or human waste, consequently it is a very nutritious foodplant that supports and protects the larva of some of our prettiest butterflies. Nettles are a related species to hemp and for centuries their fibres were used to make cloth; in Danish burial mounds they found bodies wrapped in nettle shrouds, the use of nettle gradually died out after introduction of flax. Some believe the name is derived from Anglo Saxon word “noedl” meaning needle. Others believe the origin with “net”, an Indo-Europpean verb to spin or sew.
Red Admiral Butterfly 64 page Nature Notebook with Envelope by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6B52
These butterfly notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
These strikingly beautiful butterflies were once called Red Admirable, which was a bit of a mouthful, so today we call them Red Admirals. They are members of the Nymphalidae, a family that includes many of the most colourful garden butterflies such as the Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma.
Red Admirals are strong fliers with annual migratory habits. This is perhaps how they have established such an extensive range across North America, Europe and Asia. The males spend their days patrolling an area against other incoming males, since females will only mate with the strongest and fittest, capable of holding a territory. The Red Admiral caterpillar’s primary host plant is the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica).
Buddleia davidii is commonly known as the “butterfly bush”, was imported into Europe in from central China. Another nick name is “the bomb site plant” after its ability to grow out of rubble and unmaintained brickwork.
Large Blue Butterfly Nature Notebook with Envelope by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6B49
These butterfly notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
LARGE BLUES Maculinea arion ON SELFHEAL and RIBWORT
The “Blues” are members of Lycaenidae family, which is one of the biggest families of butterflies. Within this group the Large Blue’s are very distinctive because of their larger size (2 inches, 52mm) and big black spots. The adult butterflies emerge for a few weeks in June during which they lay their eggs on wild thyme or marjoram in the vicinity of a specific species of red ants (Myrmica). For the first weeks of their lives the caterpillars feed on seeds and flowers, then they drop to the ground and secrete pheromones and honey that trick local foraging ants to take them back to their nests. Once in the nest the ants feed them as if they are queen grubs, sometimes they eat so many that they push their host ant colonies to extinction.
Their range extends across Asia to Siberia, however in Europe they are increasingly rare and listed as endangered. Britain’s population died out after well-meaning conservationists cordoned off the last native colonies from grazing rabbits. This was a mistake because the ants with which the butterflies co-existed depended on short grass! In 1979 new colonies were reintroduced in flower rich meadows where under careful management the densest populations of the Large Blues in Europe are now thriving. In Britain the butterfly has become an icon of successful conservation.
Blue Tit Bird 64 page illustrated Notebook with Envelope. They make excellent gift cards by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6B32
These bird notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
The Blue Tit on Acer
Cyanistes caeruleus
Blue tits are well known for their love of collecting peanuts from the winter bird table. In the Spring they their breeding cycle to coincide with the feast of green caterpillars found on young Oak leaves in May. During the summer months the parents can be seen hanging upside down inspecting the underside of leaves for small grubs, spiders and aphids. Later in the year they support themselves on berries and seeds and return to the bird tables.
The most common English name Blue Titmice is of 7th century Norse origin: ttr = small and Mase = bird which together translates as “small blue birds”. Other common names include Blue Cap, Blue Bonnet, Blue Ox-eye, Blue Spick (N Devon), Nun, Tree Babbler (Cornwall), Pinchem (Bedfordshire), Tinnock, Yaup, Bee Bird (Hampshire), Willow Biter, Billy Biter (Midlands), Pickcheese (Norfolk), Tom Tit, Hickmall, Heckymal and Titmal (West Country).
Peacock Butterfly Nature Notebook with Envelope by Julian Williams
These notebooks have 64 pages and can be sent as a gift or thank you card.
The pages can be ripped out, like a shopping list or telephone pad.
Every page is uniquely illustrated with pictures of European birds, butterflies and plants.
The back of the notebook includes an introductory text telling the reader interesting facts about of the butterfly/bird illustrated on the front cover
SKU: SNB6B53
These butterfly notebooks are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) on Blackthorn blossom
When these butterflies are resting or hibernating with their wings closed they look like dry brown leaves, however if they are disturbed they explode into colour, frightening predators by flashing their vivid blue eyes and making a hissing sound by rubbing their wings together.
In early spring those that have survived the cold winter months re-emerge from hidden crevices and hollow trees. They are one of the first butterflies of spring and may often be seen feeding and sunning themselves on blackthorn blossom. The smaller males are territorial. The females lay their eggs on nettles. After hatching the young caterpillars start their lives by living in cobwebby colonies. As they grow bigger the black spikey caterpillars become more independent and are quite easy to find.
In the autumn the adult butterflies are a common sight on thistles and buddleia gorging on nectar to fatten themselves up to survive the cold winter months.
Peacocks have a very wide distribution range from mid Scandinavia to southern Italy, and from Ireland to Japan
SKU: B55
Greeting card with coloured envelope featuring birds
These Bird cards are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis on Willow
The Kingfisher’s vibrant azure blue and copper feathers make it one of Europe’s most colourful and instantly recognisable birds. They are however shy, and most commonly seen as a flash of blue darting low above the water, but if you sit still you will sometimes see them perching on branches from which they hunt for small fish, such as minnows, as well as invertebrates like dragonfly nymphs.
Kingfishers nest in tunnels on high sided riverbanks producing two to three broods a year. Their call is a high pitched whistle.
The birds are the subject of a wealth of art and storytelling in many cultures. Their radiant plumage reminds us of royalty, hence their name. The ancient Greeks believed the gods turned two distraught lovers into kingfishers (“halcyon birds”). Thanks to divine assistance, these birds would enjoy calm weather (“halcyon days”) during their nesting period.
Christian symbolism connects the kingfisher with forgetfulness, because according to legend the kingfisher was amongst the first birds to be released from Noah’s ark and the forgetful birds never returned.
SKU: B54
Greeting card with coloured envelope featuring butterflies
These Bird cards are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
“Yellow Wagtails are small, graceful, yellow and green birds, with a long tails and slender black legs that spend much time in grassy habitats, wet pastures and upland hay meadows, often in proximity to cattle. There has been a decline in their range and numbers which has been connected to changes in farm management, and sadly the bird is now on the red list.
The species overwinters in Africa, returning to Europe and Southern Britain from early April.
Yellow wagtails are easily confused with the commoner Grey Wagtails that are yellow too but have grey backs and are usually seen on the edges of lakes and rivers where they feed on aquatic insects.
Wagtails in general have many common names include “Barley bird’ ‘Oatseed bird’ “Wee Willi Wagtail”, “Polly or Peggy dishwasher’ and ‘Gypsie birds”. They also feature in mythology as a gift from the Goddess Aphrodite, and are symbols of love.”
Birds and Blossom Washi Tape by Julian Williams
1.5cm wide x 10 meters long
SKU: WJ102
Washi is a tearable, repositionable, decorative sticky tape made from natural plant fibres. Washi was developed in Japan over 3 decades ago where they are very popular and found in every high street store. Customers use them for wrapping parcels, craft making and decorating household items like iPhones.
We have divided our ornithological ranges of cards and gifts into section. These are the links to focus your “ideas for bird watchers” searches.
Julian Williams, one of the directors of Two Bad Mice, has had an life long interest in birds and bird watching. He has written a blog post about how these images were developed https://shop.twobadmice.com/cards-and-gifts-for-birdwatchers/
Showing all 19 results
Showing all 19 results
In the coloured cards and ceramics link above you will find how to purchase our coloured bone china mugs and bowls.
The ceramics are packed in gift boxes
We have a good selection of cards featuring many of the garden birds that are attracted to the bird table. Again these will be found using the coloured cards and ceramics link
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Showing all 19 results
Our cards are especially interesting as they include a text description of the birds ecology on the back, and information about the bird’s folk names and folk law
Another stationery item are our memo pads for shopping list or to put beside the telephone.
Bespoke products have to be made to order at our factories in Staffordshire. For this reason they will take a few weeks to make and there are minimum order value requirements
WE have ranges of blue and white birds which can be put on to a selection of whites; Bowls of various sizes, different mug shapes and tiles or cork backed ceramic coasters. For instance thee swans are put on to a variety of objects and they make a set.
Our new bespoke services will allow us to provide a much wider range of products – like this set of seven tall mugs each with a differnt bird
We will even be able to make dinner service.
We have not altogether worked out how to display such a wide variety of options on the website, or how to make it easy for customers to put their choice of objects together. We have opened a bespoke section on the website where all the options can be seen.
Pinterest page : Gifts for Bird lovers
Jenny Wren https://drawingandillusion.blogspot.com/2017/05/jenny-wren-troglodytes-troglodytes.html
BullFinch http://drawingandillusion.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-bullfinch-pyrrhula-pyrrhula.html
Goldfinch http://drawingandillusion.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-goldfinch-carduelis-carduelis.html
Mute Swan: https://drawingandillusion.blogspot.com/2017/04/british-birds-mute-swan-cynus-olor-mute.html
These cards and gifts have special features that make them suitable greeting cards for Butterfly Lovers and lepidopterists. For instance we have chosen butterflies you would find in a European Garden. On the back of the cards we have written descriptions about the ecology and folk law associated with the birds.
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This is part of our Nature Notes series of cards to go along side our card for birdwatchers. Read in our blog about how they were designed
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Visit this page for for more ideas for Bird Watchers
Swallowtails butterfly card by Julian Williams
SKU: B48
Greeting card with coloured envelope featuring butterflies
These butterfly cards are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
European Swallowtail Papilio machaon on Queen Anne’s Lace
Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies in the family Papilionidae, and include over 550 species. Anyone who has visited Southern Europe will have noticed the European Swallowtail which is unmistakable butterflies, they seem to be everywhere. In Britain we have a sub-species (P. marchaon britannicus) that only feeds on Milk-parsley and is now confined to a few scattered colonies on reserves in the Norfolk Broads. Britannicus is a smaller, weaker insect than its Continental cousin (gorganus)
In recent years there have been increasing numbers of migrants of the larger and far more robust European varieties crossing the Channel and breeding. The caterpillars of the continental gorganus feed on a broader range of umbellifers than our native sub-species; such commonly found plants as wild carrot, wild angelica, fennel and hogweed. This silent invasion is raising hopes that gorganus could soon be established and seen more widely across southern Britain.
Almost all swallowtail species have forked tails on their hindwings from which they get their common name. Their caterpillars are equally exotic, often marked with fake eyes to make them look more frightening to birds and armed with glands that excrete pungent smelling oils if disturbed.
Clouded Yellows (Colias croceus) on Crown Vetch (Securigera varia) butterfly card by Julian Williams
SKU: B47
Greeting card with coloured envelope featuring butterflies
These butterfly cards are part of our Nature Notes Series which can be seen here: Greeting Cards for Butterfly Lovers and Lepidopteritsts
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
Clouded Yellows (Colias croceus) on Crown Vetch (Securigera varia)
These pretty migrants from the Mediterranean used to be appreciated by Victorian and Edwardian butterfly collectors for their wide variety colours which can vary from vivid oranges and lemons to whites, they also have richly patterned lemon-green underwings. The rarer pale almost white females (Illustrated) were most prized amongst collectors.
In the spring large numbers fly north from their southern overwintering strongholds, sometimes arriving in very large numbers and breeding again to produce what have become known as Clouded Yellow summers (1947, 1983). The butterflies tend to congregate on chalk downland where they feed on the nectar of wild meadow flowers, especially clover, Birds Foot Trefoil, vetches and Lucerne. Their caterpillars are unable to survive damp frosty winters.
Europe has 10 species of Clouded Yellows.
Crown Vetch: is native to Europe, Asia and Africa. Since its introduction to the U.S., it has spread throughout the country. It is currently reported as invasive in many states, especially through the centre of the country and along the eastern seaboard
Know Your Tits Card by Julian Williams
SKU: B42
Greeting card with coloured envelope featuring common visitors to the bird table
The cards and mugs in this series are ideal gifts and cards for bird lovers
TEXT written on the back of the card
Know Your Tits
Blue Tits are small acrobatic birds with pretty blue caps. They are very common visitors to the bird table
Great Tits are one of the largest tits easily identified by the black bibs that run in a thick black stripe over their bright yellow breasts. In spring they have distinctive loud song and can often be seen singing high in the trees.
Long Tailed Tits are very social birds almost always seen in larger groups. They will only visit the bird table if you put out suet balls
Marsh Tits and Willow tits. These two species have black caps and look almost identical to each other. Experienced birdwatchers separate the species by their call and wing stripes. They are occasional visitors to bird tables
Coal Tits are identified by the white stripes that run down the nape of their necks.
Crested Tits live in pine forests. They have a widespread distribution in Europe, but in Britain are only found in Scotland
links
https://drawingandillusion.blogspot.com/2017/05/jenny-wren-troglodytes-troglodytes.html
https://www.borealbirds.org/bird/winter-wren
Bullfinch card by Julian Williams
SKU: B41
Greeting card with coloured envelope featuring common visitors to the bird table
The cards and mugs in this series are ideal gifts and cards for bird lovers
TEXT written on the back of the card
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
The rose red breasted bullfinch with its black cap and bright white rump is one of the easiest garden birds to identify, but they are quite shy birds and quite easily missed. Experienced birdwatchers will often hear their mewing calls before seeing their presence.
In spring they feed voraciously on the buds of fruit trees. Their name bullfinch maybe a shortening of Bullace Finch (Bullace being the Tudor name for the wild plum trees that they cultivated in their orchards). Other folk names derived from their habit of stripping the buds from fruit trees include Bud finches, Bud pickers (Devon) and Plum birds.
A more widely believed theory is that the bullfinch got its name from its large thick head and stocky form, like bull dog and bull frog. Some birdwatchers claim to have seen the birds head-butt other finches off the bird table. Other folk names include Alpe, Nope, Pope and Monk.
The female is a pretty pale pink.
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