Warm although a little breezy. Temperature reached 21c this afternoon.
A relaxing day not doing much. I did fit a blind to the museum entrance door. Must arrange an official opening day now.
Apart from a few young birds being fed there was not much going on in wildlife world today. Thankfully the trail cameras came up trumps with images of fox cub bonding with the hedgehogs.
With only one sighting of swifts here this year it really is not a good year for birds. Not known a year like it.
Friday 31 May 2019
Thursday 30 May 2019
Thursday 30th May 2019
What a contrasting day to yesterday. Warm and sunny and temperature indeed reached 21c.
It was a relaxing day just mooching about the garden.
Managed to photograph damselflies laying eggs in the pond this afternoon. A female great spotted woodpecker appeared on the feeder early this morning.
Trail camera confirmed another night when the pair of hedgehogs and fox cubs were sharing the food dishes on the back lawn.
It was a relaxing day just mooching about the garden.
Managed to photograph damselflies laying eggs in the pond this afternoon. A female great spotted woodpecker appeared on the feeder early this morning.
Trail camera confirmed another night when the pair of hedgehogs and fox cubs were sharing the food dishes on the back lawn.
Wednesday 29th May 2019i
Terrible day, much cooler and wet most of the day. Predicting temperatures of 21c tomorrow, can't see that.
Well, what a milestone today is. 48 years ago on a similarly cold and wet day like today I gained a wife who has looked after me for all these years big time. Celebrated tonight at the London Street Brassiere with Nigel and Lyn.
Being a wet day I worked in the workshop so nothing to report when it comes to garden wildlife.
Well, what a milestone today is. 48 years ago on a similarly cold and wet day like today I gained a wife who has looked after me for all these years big time. Celebrated tonight at the London Street Brassiere with Nigel and Lyn.
Being a wet day I worked in the workshop so nothing to report when it comes to garden wildlife.
Tuesday 28 May 2019
Tuesday 28th May 2019
Mild, little sun, showers with temperature only reaching 16c this afternoon.
Enjoyed a day in the garden, tidied up the snowdrop border.
Very little fox cub activity last night but plenty of vixen activity. Think they have now left the latest den. Will keep the camera set for another night.
The pair of hedgehogs are still together each night, last night was no exception.
More young birds being fed today including blue tits.
Enjoyed a day in the garden, tidied up the snowdrop border.
Very little fox cub activity last night but plenty of vixen activity. Think they have now left the latest den. Will keep the camera set for another night.
The pair of hedgehogs are still together each night, last night was no exception.
More young birds being fed today including blue tits.
Monday 27 May 2019
Bank Holiday Monday 27th May 2019
Much cooler today with temperature reaching just 17c this afternoon.
A trip to Henry Street this morning for cosmos plants to replace the wallflowers which are now past their sell by date!
This afternoon planted the cosmos in the wallflower border. That is it now, all planting finished for another year. Have always made this Bank Holiday as the deadline for planting.
Surprisingly witnessed a few young birds in the garden today being fed, blue tits, blackbirds, starlings and dunnocks. A good sign at last, but sadly non nesting in the garden.
A trip to Henry Street this morning for cosmos plants to replace the wallflowers which are now past their sell by date!
This afternoon planted the cosmos in the wallflower border. That is it now, all planting finished for another year. Have always made this Bank Holiday as the deadline for planting.
Surprisingly witnessed a few young birds in the garden today being fed, blue tits, blackbirds, starlings and dunnocks. A good sign at last, but sadly non nesting in the garden.
Sunday 26th May 2019
Very warm and sunny, temperature this afternoon reaching 24c.
Today was all about Project Museum. I recently found a few more memorable items connected with my late Father from his time during the war which I felt was important to exhibit in the museum.
More great trail camera images of the cubs and hedgehogs feeding together. Still using the den under my timber store.
A jay made an appearance this afternoon which had not been seen for a while. Bird variety and numbers well down on previous years. Worrying.
Today was all about Project Museum. I recently found a few more memorable items connected with my late Father from his time during the war which I felt was important to exhibit in the museum.
More great trail camera images of the cubs and hedgehogs feeding together. Still using the den under my timber store.
A jay made an appearance this afternoon which had not been seen for a while. Bird variety and numbers well down on previous years. Worrying.
Saturday 25 May 2019
Saturday 25th May 2019
Very warm and sunny with temperature today reaching 26c this afternoon.
This years annual garden weed clearance now finished so can sit back, relax and admire the garden for the rest of this weekend.
Some young birds appeared today, blackbirds, robins and starlings. The pied wagtail is still collecting food and flying off over the house to the front, not found where the nest is as yet.
Some great trail cam' images last night of the cubs and hedgehogs feeding on the back lawn.
This years annual garden weed clearance now finished so can sit back, relax and admire the garden for the rest of this weekend.
Some young birds appeared today, blackbirds, robins and starlings. The pied wagtail is still collecting food and flying off over the house to the front, not found where the nest is as yet.
Some great trail cam' images last night of the cubs and hedgehogs feeding on the back lawn.
Friday 24th May 2019
Very warm and sunny with temperature today reaching 24c this afternoon.
All the sunflower plants are still standing so hopefully will have a better crop than last year.
Spent another day gardening, bandstand border today clearing away the jack by the hedge that had taken over the border, a very intrusive plant.
Lawns also cut and edged. Lawns have now completely recovered after suffering in last years heatwave.,
All the sunflower plants are still standing so hopefully will have a better crop than last year.
Spent another day gardening, bandstand border today clearing away the jack by the hedge that had taken over the border, a very intrusive plant.
Lawns also cut and edged. Lawns have now completely recovered after suffering in last years heatwave.,
Thursday 23rd May 2019
Very warm and sunny with temperature today reaching 22c.
Tonight Swifts arrived. I was admiring the bats at 8.30pm when two swifts arrived flying low in their regular area of the house next door but one. Hopefully they stay and perhaps bring along some friends.
A fair few damselflies around the pond today resting on the hosta allowing for some reasonable photographs.
The female pied wagtail was again collecting food, clearly for young.
The trail camera showed two cubs last night feeding together with the hedgehogs.
I spent the day again pulling up bluebells, 15 large sacks now.
Tonight Swifts arrived. I was admiring the bats at 8.30pm when two swifts arrived flying low in their regular area of the house next door but one. Hopefully they stay and perhaps bring along some friends.
A fair few damselflies around the pond today resting on the hosta allowing for some reasonable photographs.
The female pied wagtail was again collecting food, clearly for young.
The trail camera showed two cubs last night feeding together with the hedgehogs.
I spent the day again pulling up bluebells, 15 large sacks now.
Wednesday 22 May 2019
Wednesday 22nd May 2019
Very warm and sunny day with temperature reaching 24c this afternoon.
Planted out the sunflowers today, wonder how many will be left by the morning?
Photographed a frog in the pond this afternoon, bit of a surprise this as no spawn seen this year.
Photographed a mint moth today on a thrift flower, first seen this year.
Planted out the sunflowers today, wonder how many will be left by the morning?
Photographed a frog in the pond this afternoon, bit of a surprise this as no spawn seen this year.
Photographed a mint moth today on a thrift flower, first seen this year.
Tuesday 21st May 2019
Warm and sunny day, temperature reaching 21c this afternoon.
Enjoyed a day out in the Oxfordshire countryside visiting Aston Pottery and gardens. Most enjoyable but not quite what we were expecting. Gardens very much on the small side. What was there was good however.
Enjoyed lunch at a local pub beside the river Thames.
Enjoyed a day out in the Oxfordshire countryside visiting Aston Pottery and gardens. Most enjoyable but not quite what we were expecting. Gardens very much on the small side. What was there was good however.
Enjoyed lunch at a local pub beside the river Thames.
Monday 20th May 2019
Warm and sunny day.
Another day pulling up bluebell stems. Going to make some good compost.
Foxy had created yet another den which she and the cub are now living in. Some good images captured by the trail camera.
Managed to photograph some unusual insects seen on various shrubs. As yet not had a chance to identify. A few more moths beginning to appear if a night now.
Another day pulling up bluebell stems. Going to make some good compost.
Foxy had created yet another den which she and the cub are now living in. Some good images captured by the trail camera.
Managed to photograph some unusual insects seen on various shrubs. As yet not had a chance to identify. A few more moths beginning to appear if a night now.
Sunday 19th May 2019
Warm and sunny day.
A day pulling up the bluebell stems, five sacks today. Will be on this for a few days, an annual task.
Sadly nothing else to report.
A day pulling up the bluebell stems, five sacks today. Will be on this for a few days, an annual task.
Sadly nothing else to report.
Saturday 18 May 2019
Saturday 18th May 2019
Warm and sunny day with temperature today reaching a high of 17c.
Another day working on the clearing of bluebells.
Nothing else to report.
Another day working on the clearing of bluebells.
Nothing else to report.
Friday 17th May 2019
Warm and sunny day.
A day spent gardening. Started to pull up the bluebells, an annual task.
Nothing else to report.
A day spent gardening. Started to pull up the bluebells, an annual task.
Nothing else to report.
Thursday 16th May 2019
Warm and sunny day.
An enjoyable day in London finishing with a visit to the Theatre for the superb Mamma Mia show. Second time for me , just love the story and music of course.
An enjoyable day in London finishing with a visit to the Theatre for the superb Mamma Mia show. Second time for me , just love the story and music of course.
Wednesday 15 May 2019
Wednesday 15th May 2019
Very warm and sunny with temperature this afternoon reaching 24c.
Lawn cut and edged, garden looking at its summer best now, just a shame about the lack of bird life. A couple of baby starlings did arrive today but nothing like the numbers we are used to at this time of year.
Prepared the sunflowers for planting out on Friday. As is usual lost 50% of them to mice. Lost 100% of teasel seedlings to mice last night. Thankfully I still had another tray full to plant out. Now covered in chicken wire.
Tuesday 14th May 2019
Another very warm and sunny day with temperature reaching 23c this afternoon.
Spent most of the day carrying out weeding and generally tidying up.
Still looking at on average 5000 trail camera images every day. Hedgehogs and fox cubs still very active of a night.
Good to see a pied wagtail today, been a while since last recorded. More moths appearing of a night now. Good to see the brimstone last night.
Museum is a huge hit with visitors, been advised to write an infantry of each item. Important idea that but what a task.
Monday 13th May 2019
Warm and sunny day with temperature reaching 23c this afternoon.
A day in the garden carrying out the final clear up after the mass planting project.
Sunday 12th May 2019
Warm and sunny day with temperature this afternoon reaching 21c.
A morning trip to Henry Street for replacement azalea plants and hedgehog food.
This afternoon planted up the azaleas and watered the garden throughout. Not much left in the water butts now.
No sign of swifts, woodpeckers, finches, blue tits, great tits, sparrows, starlings or young birds of any description. Very bad year in the garden for birdlife. Contacts across the country are telling me similar stories.
A morning trip to Henry Street for replacement azalea plants and hedgehog food.
This afternoon planted up the azaleas and watered the garden throughout. Not much left in the water butts now.
No sign of swifts, woodpeckers, finches, blue tits, great tits, sparrows, starlings or young birds of any description. Very bad year in the garden for birdlife. Contacts across the country are telling me similar stories.
Saturday 11 May 2019
Saturday 11th May 2019
A lovely day, warm and sunny with temperature reaching 15c this afternoon.
A day in the garden working hard. Azalea shrubs gone past their sell by date. Must be 20 years old, proper pot bound. Holes dug in the garden for replacements we will purchase tomorrow.
Resting this afternoon overlooking the pond and was amazed at the number of damselflies flying around. Holly blue and speckled wood butterflies also very active.
Bad news predation today. Next doors cat killed a blackbird and a squirrel. Sad to see.
I felt sure swifts were about today, thought I heard them but sadly no sighting so not sure. Being registered profoundly deaf I do have difficulty identifying bird songs.
A day in the garden working hard. Azalea shrubs gone past their sell by date. Must be 20 years old, proper pot bound. Holes dug in the garden for replacements we will purchase tomorrow.
Resting this afternoon overlooking the pond and was amazed at the number of damselflies flying around. Holly blue and speckled wood butterflies also very active.
Bad news predation today. Next doors cat killed a blackbird and a squirrel. Sad to see.
I felt sure swifts were about today, thought I heard them but sadly no sighting so not sure. Being registered profoundly deaf I do have difficulty identifying bird songs.
Friday 10 May 2019
Friday 10th May 2019
Warm and sunny day, looking good for the weekend now.
Day spent at the Whitley Museum for the Way Back When event. I agreed to do the interviews today along with the sound recordist. What a day, some very interesting stories relayed today, George and Gerald, you were the stars today. Thanks for your contribution.
Amazing wildlife activity last night. On my morning garden walk it became clear foxes had been very active overnight. The ramp to the Hogtel was pulled off and left on the decking. Another den created under the largest of the wood piles.
Have checked the SD cards tonight and not the excitement I was expecting but very interesting all the same. The ramp was unscrewed by the vixen in a very intriguing way. Managed to unscrew by using her front legs and nose.
Camera now set close to the latest den.
Thursday 9 May 2019
Thursday 9th May 2019
Mild and wet, not a very pleasant day.
A day in the workshop just messing about doing nothing much.
Trail camera images confirmed for sure there are now two cubs. Probably will never know what happened to the other two.
Also confirmed the pair of hedgehogs are still sharing the foxes den along with a rat.
Nothing else to report.
A day in the workshop just messing about doing nothing much.
Trail camera images confirmed for sure there are now two cubs. Probably will never know what happened to the other two.
Also confirmed the pair of hedgehogs are still sharing the foxes den along with a rat.
Nothing else to report.
Tuesday 7 May 2019
Tuesday May 7th 2019
Mild, sunny, slight breeze with temperature reaching 17c this afternoon.
A superb day spent with Lulu and Clive, can't explain how much I love their wooded garden. Wildlife a plenty. Hares, willow tits, chickens and nesting blue tits to name just a few we saw today. Enjoyed a walk this afternoon through the fields directly opposite Toll House.
Monday 6 May 2019
Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2019
Cold day and mostly overcast, a stunning sunrise however.
Enjoyed a dawn chorus walk at Fobney. Although cold it was still a stunning morning. Glorious sunrise, beautiful chorus and mist over the lakes and canal. Good to see and photograph a roe deer eating foliage on the side of the canal.
A further trip to Henry Street this morning for these extra plants. This afternoon managed to plant up the sinks and pots.
The trail cameras confirmed certainly one fox cub out last night with the bandstand looking like the den. Cameras now surrounding the bandstand to record activity. Still unsure reasons for this move to another den.
Doug has confirmed that a swift has arrived in Bracknell tonight so are we any closer to seeing them here?
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