March 2019 Nuthatches are great engineers watch out for them.

The new breeding season will shortly begin and one of the things I love to watch out for are the local Nuthatches when they start to build their nests.  They habitually find a hole in a tree and then proceed to modify the size and shape so that they can just fit through.  They do this by bringing in wet mud and plastering this into the hole. They build this up letting it dry like cement.  Nesting sites in hollow trees are always at a premium, and having this ability obviously gives them greater opportunities.
In the first picture the Nuthatch begins bringing in mud to complete the transformation

Great site but predators could get in!

It takes a lot of effort but the resulting cavity, when finished, is a lot more secure for raising their vulnerable chicks.

Now the hole is just the required size

  Spring is a great time of the year and this is another interesting thing to look out for as the breeding season gets underway.

March 2019 An encounter with a peaceful Muntjac Doe

This doe Muntjac came picking its way along oblivious to my presence.  I stayed still and it came right toward me and in full sunshine too!  They are beautiful little deer that were introduced to the UK in the early 20th century apparently by the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Park.  They are quite common these days and can often been seen on a walk in the British country side.  It was nice to catch one though that wasn't just a tail end view running away with its tail up.
This one seemed to be taking an interest in the sweet chestnut cases that were on the ground but I don't thick this would be part of its diet.

peacefully browsing away

 I daren't move and was so pleased when it even led down and starting chewing its cud right in front of me .

Time for a rest

After capturing some images it was time to creep away and leave it to get on with its day.  That was a lovely encounter that made me smile to myself as I made my way home.

March 2019 Sad news Vulcan the Hen Harrier goes missing in suspicious circumstances

It was really sad and upsetting to hear that a Hen Harrier I managed to see in the Cotswold Hills this winter has been reported missing in suspicious circumstances.  These are one of the most iconic and beautiful raptors with only nine successful nests in England last year.  It was reported that it's transmitter had finished sending out signals on the 16th January in Wiltshire.  This is the eleventh tagged harrier to go missing in suspicious circumstances since August.
I personally have nothing against shooting game birds and I can also get the sport with the interest in guns, the skills for shooting, the skills needed to raise the game birds and also the training of the gun dogs.  I am also aware that the sport creates a lot of employment.
The part I cannot get my head around is why so much beauty can be destroyed just to marginally get a few extra birds to hang up at the end of a shoot.
I don't think the shooting community will ever change dramatically, but I just wish that when they reflect on their days sport that they can do so without the knowledge that what they enjoyed led to the destruction of such beauty that so many others enjoy seeing.
Come on shooting people step up and help protect these beautiful and rare creatures that have a right to be here.

Vulcan (I didn't notice the transmitter until I got home)

Vulcan hunting over grassland

   Alas no more, come on shooting people live and let live!