February 2019 Before spring leaves come out, Woodpeckers can be easier to see!

I thought I would have a trip to the local park as I haven't been there for a long while.  Before the leaves come out it is a good time to see woodpeckers in the tops of the trees.  Later in the season they can seem to disappear.  I set off in the sunshine from home but as I arrived in the park it was very misty and the poor light does not really help with the photography.  I was pleased to hear drumming of the Great Spotted Woodpecker and also the Laugh of the Green Woodpecker.  The greens are more unusual to see here, so I was quite excited to get a few glimpses.

Male Green Woodpecker

The two species were interacting and chasing each other around I guess in competition for suitable trees  in which to hollow out their nest cavity.

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker

There are three species of Woodpecker in the UK, the above two and the very elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.  I am yet to ever see this species let alone get a photograph. Perhaps I will be racing home one day to see these on my computer   I am sure this will be a very excited blog post one day!

February 2019 Giving something back for nature is so satisfying

Over the last few winter months we have decided to give a bit back for nature.  Especially as over the years I have gained so much pleasure from being out there enjoying the sights and sounds.  We have a small patch of about one acre of scrub on our small holding.  It is mainly covered in very dense blackthorn and little light gets through.  It is very lifeless.  So the project was to thin this out creating some sunny glades.  The main and hard work was thinning this out.

I enjoy using the chain saw when its cutting well

We also end up with some fuel for the wood burner

plenty of burning up to do

Getting there

Once we felt the glades were complete and the sun came shining through it was time to add some bird boxes.  

I don't like heights!

After this even though we left any decent trees I thought that it needed some different species as they were still mainly hawthorns.  English Oak were the species of choice and they can help so many different species.  So the oak trees were ordered.

Planting the oaks.

Protection was the next major concern as there are a lot of deer and rabbits around to feast on them.  I ordered the tallest guards I could get.

1.8 metre guards

Looks better with a few oaks interspersed

I am really looking forward to this spring and monitoring the results.  One thought will the new oaks absorb more CO2 that I will create in my life time?  It would be great to steal a stop over Pied Flycatcher  from Nags Head in the Forest of Dean!  Time will tell!

February 2019 So glad Otters are making a big comeback

A friend had told me about a place where otters are regularly seen.  With wildlife there are no guarantees but I thought I would give it a go.  I set off early in the morning and arrived at the site.  There were a few people already there and they were a great sociable group which always makes the wait a good experience.  After about half an hour I received a whistle and pointing down the bank.  This lead to a very exciting time spotting where the otter was going to emerge next.  It was shear excitement and exhilaration.

Swimming toward me across the river

Fishing break in the sun

Plenty of bobbing and action

 This was such a thrilling time, and it made it all the more special sharing the excitement with like minded people.  What a great and memorable occasion.  Just brilliant!

February 2019 Peregrine Falcon on my local church.

I was not going to get the camera out today as it was quite dark and overcast.  I had a walk in to my local town centre and was pleased to see a Peregrine Falcon on the church tower.  I did my quick shop and walking back home it was still there.  This is the time to get the camera out.  I raced home and returned to the spot and manged to get a few images before it flew off.

Sat on the Old Gargoyle 

Watching the church goers below

It would be great if these birds became a regular feature as this is so close to my home and I absolutely love them.