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!

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.