Wild Wanderings

Diary Entry

Roll on Spring

Wednesday 21st February 2018

I have spent most of the last few days removing dead plants and generally tidying up the paddock. I seem to have foiled ‘Houdini’ the Badger who does not appear to have visited the last couple of nights. I found quite a large section of the sheep netting that had been widened with his squeezing through. A bit of Chicken wire across the few feet affected has been effective in stopping his trips into the earthworm larder that is my piece of heaven. I suppose he will find another way in soon though.

I managed to find a couple of nice specimen Holly trees at my local nurseries and they have been planted in their permanent positions. That was the final plantings for this year. All the trees, flowers and shrubs have been selected on their wildlife friendly status. Mostly for birds and Butterflies but also Bees and other insects. The one Butterfly I would most like to attract is the Orange Tip. They do pass through the paddock but never seem to stop for a photo shoot. I researched the food source plant for the Orange Tip and it is the lady Smock. After a prolonged search I found a specimen and have kept it going through the winter. It is a marginal bog plant, so I have created a small bog area in which to plant it. I hope the Orange Tips oblige me this spring.

River Walk

On Tuesday a pleasant hour or so of sunshine enabled me to take a stroll to the river. I pass the Kestrel boxes on the way and so can check them regularly. No signs of any activity around the boxes yet. But it is a little early. I have seen Kestrels in the region of the boxes in the last day or so, and I am hoping this is a good sign.

On arrival at the bank of the river a solitary Goldeneye took off immediately but was too far away to get a photo. The river was quite high on its banks but was flowing slowly. Three Swans were lazily feeding downstream. I waited a while as sometimes they can decide to move upstream, and I get the chance of a flight shot. Swans are a wonderfully graceful bird but always seem to heavy to take off, and it always seems such an effort, but once airborne the gracefulness returns. I love the whistling of the wings in flight.

As I waited three Buzzards arrived and circled overhead. They were not in a hurry and their slow flapping wings told me they weren’t hunting. They appeared to be playing around up there. Bobbing and gliding with each other. I have seen this before and think it maybe a pre-breeding season ritual. They were silhouetting heavily against the sky, so I didn’t lift my camera, I just watched them until they moved off across the fields.

Paddock

Greenfinches have been very frequent visitors to the paddock this week. I have counted six individuals with two females among them, so the numbers may increase soon. The Great Tits and Blue Tits are also numerous, and all are showing deep colours in their plumage and look radiant when they appear. Chaffinches are also brightening themselves up for the ensueing courtship and family duties.

Crocus and Snowdrops are in full bloom and the Daffodils are pushing through, the trees are in full bud. The Farleigh Damson is always the first to blossom and the delicate pastel shades of white and pink combined with the blues yellow and reds of the birds always make nice photos. Roll on spring.

Till Tomorrow