Warm day with a very sunny afternoon. Dull and overcast this morning, think there was a shower overnight.
Day spent in the garden on the alpine fence project, looking good. Will be ordering turf next week for the formal lawn.
After a few days of nothing it was good to see a rather special moth in the trap last night. Special because I had not seen one like it in the garden before.
No sign of the rat so hopefully now predate?
Friday, 31 March 2017
Thursday 30th March 2017
A stunning day, warm and sunny all day with temp' today reaching 21c. Warmest day this year so far.
A day at the hospital meeting the surgeon from Guys who explained in full detail the pro's and con's of having such major surgery. The middle lobe of my right lung will be removed, this is the area of the tumour.
Operation scheduled for April at Guys hospital, date to be advised. A pre-op at Guys is required first.
Found time to check out 403 video trail camera images. Fox out most nights but the most interesting video image was of two hedgehogs having fun. Hedgehog porn!
A day at the hospital meeting the surgeon from Guys who explained in full detail the pro's and con's of having such major surgery. The middle lobe of my right lung will be removed, this is the area of the tumour.
Operation scheduled for April at Guys hospital, date to be advised. A pre-op at Guys is required first.
Found time to check out 403 video trail camera images. Fox out most nights but the most interesting video image was of two hedgehogs having fun. Hedgehog porn!
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
Wednesday 29th March 2017
A pretty good day, mild, little sun becoming breezy this afternoon.
Day in the garden working on the alpine fence project. All of the rotten fence now down, posts realigned and arris rails fixed. Can start fixing the feather edge fencing on Friday weather permitting.
Darren - this fence was from the packing cases in our Motorglass days, done well eh?
Spent some time in the hide tonight to see a great tit roosting in one of the nest boxes. Will they nest I wonder?
Ratty still on the loose, not seen and the cage is empty. Will leave out for a few more days.
Blackbird now nesting but sadly two doors down, due to the ivy hedge being removed I guess?
Day in the garden working on the alpine fence project. All of the rotten fence now down, posts realigned and arris rails fixed. Can start fixing the feather edge fencing on Friday weather permitting.
Darren - this fence was from the packing cases in our Motorglass days, done well eh?
Spent some time in the hide tonight to see a great tit roosting in one of the nest boxes. Will they nest I wonder?
Ratty still on the loose, not seen and the cage is empty. Will leave out for a few more days.
Blackbird now nesting but sadly two doors down, due to the ivy hedge being removed I guess?
Tuesday, 28 March 2017
Tuesday 28th March 2017
Warm and sunny most of the day, temp' today reached a high of 15c.
Another day in the garden, today made a start on the fence project in the alpine area of the garden. 50% of the old rotten fence now down, hopefully will finish this part of the job tomorrow.
Hollowed out last years sunflower stems before placing them in the bug hotel.
Topped up the wood pile with fresh logs and shredding material, birds and mice will love this.
Ratty was seen again using the hedgehog hole in the fence, have tonight set the cage again in an elaborate way to stop the blackbird entering. Fingers crossed I catch him tonight.
Another day in the garden, today made a start on the fence project in the alpine area of the garden. 50% of the old rotten fence now down, hopefully will finish this part of the job tomorrow.
Hollowed out last years sunflower stems before placing them in the bug hotel.
Topped up the wood pile with fresh logs and shredding material, birds and mice will love this.
Ratty was seen again using the hedgehog hole in the fence, have tonight set the cage again in an elaborate way to stop the blackbird entering. Fingers crossed I catch him tonight.
Monday, 27 March 2017
Monday 27th March 2017
Another decent day although a little chilly this morning.
Up early to be at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford for 9am. Interesting procedure, now radioactive for 24 hours. Rather strict instructions for next 24 hours, not to stand any closer than a metre to anybody, must sit down for all toilet functions and flush twice and rest.
Arrived home at 4pm, a little tired and also relieved this test over and done with.
Distressing scene on arriving home, a Blackbird was in the rat cage. Seemed ok and flew out in an instant on being released. How on earth did it manage to get in, had the cage up so close to the edge of the fence. Not sure what to do now, rely on the cats I guess.
Up early to be at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford for 9am. Interesting procedure, now radioactive for 24 hours. Rather strict instructions for next 24 hours, not to stand any closer than a metre to anybody, must sit down for all toilet functions and flush twice and rest.
Arrived home at 4pm, a little tired and also relieved this test over and done with.
Distressing scene on arriving home, a Blackbird was in the rat cage. Seemed ok and flew out in an instant on being released. How on earth did it manage to get in, had the cage up so close to the edge of the fence. Not sure what to do now, rely on the cats I guess.
Sunday 26th March 2017
What a glorious day. Very warm and sunny all day. Temperature reaching 19c this afternoon.
With hospital tomorrow and instructions advising me not to do anything strenuous for 24hrs prior it was a day of relaxation.
A day to enjoy the garden on such a stunning day.
A brimstone butterfly stayed in the garden most of the day, sadly not able to photograph. Did manage a photograph of a peacock butterfly.
Spotted a young rat, not surprising given the bird and hedgehog food about. Decided to set the cage, time go act I think.
With hospital tomorrow and instructions advising me not to do anything strenuous for 24hrs prior it was a day of relaxation.
A day to enjoy the garden on such a stunning day.
A brimstone butterfly stayed in the garden most of the day, sadly not able to photograph. Did manage a photograph of a peacock butterfly.
Spotted a young rat, not surprising given the bird and hedgehog food about. Decided to set the cage, time go act I think.
Saturday, 25 March 2017
Saturday 25th March 2017
A gorgeous day, very warm and sunny with temp' reaching 17c this afternoon.
Took all day but all cleared and tidied after a couple of weeks replacing the fence between us and Julian at the BBQ end of he garden.
Next project is creating a fence between the alpine house and the wildlife area of the garden. This will follow with the creation of a formal lawn sitting area.
Good day for butterflies. A comma seen and photographed, an orange spot also seen during the day bug sadly no photograph.
Foxy out last night again, also the hedgehog which was seen using the hole in the fence to reach next door.
Took all day but all cleared and tidied after a couple of weeks replacing the fence between us and Julian at the BBQ end of he garden.
Next project is creating a fence between the alpine house and the wildlife area of the garden. This will follow with the creation of a formal lawn sitting area.
Good day for butterflies. A comma seen and photographed, an orange spot also seen during the day bug sadly no photograph.
Foxy out last night again, also the hedgehog which was seen using the hole in the fence to reach next door.
Friday 24th March 2017
Very mild but still breezy and overcast.
Day spent working on the fence project. Managed to finish bar the clearing up, job for tomorrow.
Hedgehog caught on camera last night so happy it is in fact a hedgehog eating the food and not rats.
5.30pm tonight and foxy appeared again. Not so good however was the fact he managed to get its head into the entrance of the hedgehog house. Managed a good photograph. Trail camera also confirmed some good images as foxy entered the garden.
Waggy appeared again today, a wren, jay and all the regulars but where is the great spotted these days?
Day spent working on the fence project. Managed to finish bar the clearing up, job for tomorrow.
Hedgehog caught on camera last night so happy it is in fact a hedgehog eating the food and not rats.
5.30pm tonight and foxy appeared again. Not so good however was the fact he managed to get its head into the entrance of the hedgehog house. Managed a good photograph. Trail camera also confirmed some good images as foxy entered the garden.
Waggy appeared again today, a wren, jay and all the regulars but where is the great spotted these days?
Thursday, 23 March 2017
Thursday 23rd March 2017
A much improved day. Mild and sunny most of the day but blimey, so windy.
Day spent working on the fence project. Should finish tomorrow.
A good day for wildlife. A stunning moth under a rotten piece of wood I disturbed. Male Sparrowhawk turned up lunch time without a catch. Foxy caught on trail camera during the afternoon while I was working on the fence.
Making a cuppa at 5.30pm a last years fox cub appeared outside the kitchen window with its face right inside the hedgehog house. Managed a good photograph. It stayed in the garden for some while before disappearing next door.
Day spent working on the fence project. Should finish tomorrow.
A good day for wildlife. A stunning moth under a rotten piece of wood I disturbed. Male Sparrowhawk turned up lunch time without a catch. Foxy caught on trail camera during the afternoon while I was working on the fence.
Making a cuppa at 5.30pm a last years fox cub appeared outside the kitchen window with its face right inside the hedgehog house. Managed a good photograph. It stayed in the garden for some while before disappearing next door.
Wednesday 22nd March 2017
Showers, breezy and overcast day.
Didn't fancy working outside today do spent day catching up uploading photographs to the desktop.
A fair mix of photographs but sadly missing this year are any sign of frogs.
Enjoyed an evening meal with Lulu and Clive to celebrate ones birthday. Tried a different venue tonight, the Chequers at Church Crookham. Good, will visit again sometime.
Didn't fancy working outside today do spent day catching up uploading photographs to the desktop.
A fair mix of photographs but sadly missing this year are any sign of frogs.
Enjoyed an evening meal with Lulu and Clive to celebrate ones birthday. Tried a different venue tonight, the Chequers at Church Crookham. Good, will visit again sometime.
Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Monday, 20 March 2017
Monday 20th March 2017
Dry but another windy day giving it the chill factor. Cracking sunset tonight.
A trip to Henry Street this morning for some hedgehog food and french marigold seed.
This afternoon the marigold seed were sown and now placed in the greenhouse.
Prepared for the next stage of the fencing by locating the arris rails and feather edge boards I had stored in my wood stack.
Will make another start on the fence later in the week.
Not sure what happened but sadly the trail camera failed to work last night so still unable to confirm what is eating the hedgehog food at the bottom end of the garden. Have re-set tonight.
What did show up on another trail camera was the back end of a red kite flying away from the lawn. Two good images.
Sunday 19th March 2017
Colder today due to the wind, pretty blustery at times.
Day taken up with the marathon, friends Barry and Stewart were running so promised some photographs and dear six year old Holly ran the children's run in a time of 22 minutes. Brilliant.
Barry called in this afternoon on completion of the run, Barry has run every single Reading half marathon and three of the London marathon. Good to catch up on family news.
Another day with no wildlife news due to my time taken up with the marathon.
Lulu, Ian and Holly also called in during the day.
Saturday 18th March 2017
A mild and sunny day, rather breezy side this afternoon and evening.
Day spent working on the fence project. Managed to clear and level the site, all ready now for the posts and arris rails. A job for next week.
Sadly nothing to report re wildlife due to me working at the bottom end of the garden.
Friday, 17 March 2017
Friday 17th March 2017
On the chilly side, sunny morning, overcast afternoon and very windy tonight.
Day spent in the garden, a busy day in fact. Anxious to complete a couple of projects before I am laid up after the impending operation.
Finished the trellis project this morning before making another start on the fencing that had to be replaced between us and Julian at the bottom end of the garden.
Cut the lawn for the first time this season, my Gtech mower certainly had to be my best purchase in many a year.
Have had the moth trap set all winter with no results. Until last night, two in the trap last night. One I have not seen before.
Hopefully will see more now the weather is warming up.
Waggy turned up again today as did the jays and long tailed tits. Still not seen the great spotted for a while now, at least a month.
Wednesday 15th March 2017
A very warm and sunny day.
Day in London today. Dinner at the Strand Hotel before enjoying a show at the Lyceum Theatre, the Lion King.
A good show with my interest in the mechanics of the puppetry, simply amazing. Lorna quite naturally was more interested in the music and story line.
A long day but very enjoyable.
Day in London today. Dinner at the Strand Hotel before enjoying a show at the Lyceum Theatre, the Lion King.
A good show with my interest in the mechanics of the puppetry, simply amazing. Lorna quite naturally was more interested in the music and story line.
A long day but very enjoyable.
Thursday 16th March 2017
Lovely weather today. Warm and sunny all day.
Hospital day today, extraordinary situation. Even the specialist at Guy's hospital has not come across such a tumour. It was agreed therefore that the best action is to remove to make absolutely sure. Sadly unable to have keyhole surgery as tumour is so hard.
Before such an operation I need to have a PET Scan, a procedure carried out at Churchill hospital in Oxford. Certainly not the start to 2017 I had planned. Going to be an unsettling year.
Some good news to report was the arrival in the garden of the blackcap at breakfast time.
Still no frogs though, will only refer to frogs now if I actually see one.
Tuesday, 14 March 2017
Tuesday 14th March 2017
Very mild but on the cloudy side today.
Nowt to report as weekly food shop this morning then hospital this afternoon. Appointments an hour behind and I arrived an hour early. Rare to be behind with appointments to be fair.
Plenty of bird food eaten so pretty sure all the regular birds were about.
Interesting re the hedgehogs. I have created covered feed stations for this year but each night the food bowls are left miles away. Can't believe a hedgehog would drag a bowl so far. Time for the re-siting of the trail camera me thinks?
Nowt to report as weekly food shop this morning then hospital this afternoon. Appointments an hour behind and I arrived an hour early. Rare to be behind with appointments to be fair.
Plenty of bird food eaten so pretty sure all the regular birds were about.
Interesting re the hedgehogs. I have created covered feed stations for this year but each night the food bowls are left miles away. Can't believe a hedgehog would drag a bowl so far. Time for the re-siting of the trail camera me thinks?
Monday 13th March 2017
A superb day, warm and sunny all day.
Morning spent in the garden, worked on the second trellis project. Replacing existing rotten trellis.
Good day for butterflies, brimstone and a comma. Managed a photograph of the comma, facing the sun behind a blind so looks like a shadow photograph. Flew into the conservatory.
Fixed up a basket full of nesting material I have been collecting. Not seen any nesting activity at the moment however.
Attended a Whitley Travels meeting this afternoon. Marwell Zoo now confirmed as the first trip this year, 20th April. Just need to fill a coach now. With no money for advertising this could be difficult. Will not be without trying though.
Sunday, 12 March 2017
Sunday 12th March 2017
Mild but a wet and miserable day.
Despite the weather I managed to finish the trellis project. Some batten over so will replace old and rotten trellis on other areas of fencing. A job tomorrow perhaps? Only day spare actually as appointments with the hospital will take up most of the week.
Good to see long tailed tits today, not many, just three. Jay was busy exploring all areas of the garden, perhaps it looking for a nesting area.
Not seen the great spotted woodpeckers for a while, no shortage of monkey nuts so not sure where they have disappeared to?
Hedgehog caught on camera again moving between two gardens all night. Pretty sure there is a second one but need photographic evidence.
My attempt at video footage of the red kite had taken a turn as managed two seconds of footage yesterday. Need to reposition the camera.
Despite the weather I managed to finish the trellis project. Some batten over so will replace old and rotten trellis on other areas of fencing. A job tomorrow perhaps? Only day spare actually as appointments with the hospital will take up most of the week.
Good to see long tailed tits today, not many, just three. Jay was busy exploring all areas of the garden, perhaps it looking for a nesting area.
Hedgehog caught on camera again moving between two gardens all night. Pretty sure there is a second one but need photographic evidence.
My attempt at video footage of the red kite had taken a turn as managed two seconds of footage yesterday. Need to reposition the camera.
Saturday, 11 March 2017
Saturday 11th March 2017
Warm and sunny all day. Temp' this afternoon reached 17c.
Day spent creating trellis against the new fence. 75% done so hopefully will finish tomorrow. Rain expected so may struggle.
Nothing to report re wildlife today due to me working in the area the birds feed etc.
Did find another mouse nest, in the greenhouse again, this time in a flower carrying basket. A large number of sunflower shells and chewed material from a tablecloth we used at BBQ's.
Friday, 10 March 2017
Friday 10th March 2017
Very mild but a little overcast today.
Day spent shredding all the twigs/small branches from the acer tree. Two very large bags of shredings waiting to be spread in front of the new fence.
Ran out of energy to cut the main branches so a job in waiting.
This weekend will hopefully see the trellis project finished.
No news on garden wildlife today as working in the front garden all day. Can confirm no sightings of frogs, very disappointing.
Thursday, 9 March 2017
Thursday 9th March 2017
A glorious day. Warm and sunny all day with temp' reaching 15c by 9am.
Busy day. Trellis batten delivery at 8am so that had to be carried into the back garden. 300 mtrs, hope that's enough? This a job I will commence over the weekend.
Fixed up two further swift nest boxes, that is five now around the house. Can't do anything else now to encourage them, fingers crossed then they nest this year.
Difficult job but managed to cut three large branches down from the front garden acre tree. Will shred small sub branches tomorrow, will also cut the main branches into short lengths for another log pile.
Brilliant to see a yellow brimstone and a peacock butterfly in the back garden today. The brimstone spent a fair amount of time around the bay tree.
Foxy and a hedgehog also out again last night.
Wednesday 8th March 2017
Mild but rather overcast today.
Just pottered about the garden today, some wildflower plants I potted up in the Autumn are now in place in the wildflower meadow area of the garden.
Trimmed the alpine plants, and watered accordingly.
Enjoyed an evening out with Nigel and Lyn. A good meal at the London Street Brassiere, superb food and service as always.
Tuesday, 7 March 2017
Tuesday 7th March 2017
A glorious day. Mild and sunny all day.
This morning managed to empty the compost bin, this lot spread on the Rose border. Looks neat now but bet in the morning it will be a different story after the cats have enjoyed an evening of sh*tting.
Spike used its new feeding station last night and hog poo was spotted in another area of the garden. Still hopeful it is two hedgehogs out at night.
Called on Lavers late this morning and ordered 300 mtrs of trellis batten. This to create trellis against the new fence for the climbing plants I recently planted.
Enjoyed afternoon tea with Tony and Heather, an afternoon reminiscing on our period working at Reading University. MERL has recently had a major makeover and apparently looks superb, on my 'to visit' list.
This morning managed to empty the compost bin, this lot spread on the Rose border. Looks neat now but bet in the morning it will be a different story after the cats have enjoyed an evening of sh*tting.
Spike used its new feeding station last night and hog poo was spotted in another area of the garden. Still hopeful it is two hedgehogs out at night.
Called on Lavers late this morning and ordered 300 mtrs of trellis batten. This to create trellis against the new fence for the climbing plants I recently planted.
Enjoyed afternoon tea with Tony and Heather, an afternoon reminiscing on our period working at Reading University. MERL has recently had a major makeover and apparently looks superb, on my 'to visit' list.
Monday, 6 March 2017
Monday 6th March 2017
A cracking day, loved it. Mild and sunny all day. Temp' reached 13c by 11am.
Day spent in the garden. Started emptying the 2015/16 compost bin. Spread over the bay tree border, will spread on the rose border tomorrow the remaining compost.
Made a start on clearing the area that requires a replacement fence, only the equivalent of three panels but in a very awkward situation.
Camera picked a hedgehog using the fence gap into Neil's garden, hopefully this means two hedgehogs in the garden. Created a feeding station close to the gap.
Sadly, still no sign of frogs, so disappointed. Just do not understand it.
Day spent in the garden. Started emptying the 2015/16 compost bin. Spread over the bay tree border, will spread on the rose border tomorrow the remaining compost.
Made a start on clearing the area that requires a replacement fence, only the equivalent of three panels but in a very awkward situation.
Camera picked a hedgehog using the fence gap into Neil's garden, hopefully this means two hedgehogs in the garden. Created a feeding station close to the gap.
Sadly, still no sign of frogs, so disappointed. Just do not understand it.
Sunday, 5 March 2017
Sunday 5th March 2017
Not a bad day, mild and sunny most of the day but spoilt by rain late afternoon into the evening.
Spent day in the garden. Planted out another 200 snowdrops, that is 400 planted this spring so hopefully will have a spectacular display next year.
Roses also pruned with cut stems shredded and composted. Sunflower stems cut into 150mm lengths, in greenhouse drying before I clean out the inside ready to use in a bug box.
Lorna had now cleared out her garden studio and moved into her new studio. The empty room will now become a museum, an ongoing project as must priorities on projects. Fence between us and Julian's garden the first project.
Saturday, 4 March 2017
Saturday 4th March 2017
Glorious day, well until the evening anyway. The day was again mild (14c) and sunny but late afternoon the rain arrived along with the most beautiful double rainbow.
Spent the day in the garden. Topped up the gravel in the alpine house, planted out a couple of new hellebores and another berry forming shrub but can't spell its name!
Have repositioned a trail camera tonight to see if there is another hedgehog about.
Still no sign of frogs, still plenty of time but thought I would have at least seen a frog by now?
Spent the day in the garden. Topped up the gravel in the alpine house, planted out a couple of new hellebores and another berry forming shrub but can't spell its name!
Have repositioned a trail camera tonight to see if there is another hedgehog about.
Still no sign of frogs, still plenty of time but thought I would have at least seen a frog by now?
Friday, 3 March 2017
Friday 3rd March 2017
What a difference a day makes. Still mild but with rain overnight it left the day rather damp and overcast.
Day relaxing with a visit to Henry Street for gravel to top up in the alpine house after winter settlement.
Day relaxing with a visit to Henry Street for gravel to top up in the alpine house after winter settlement.
Thursday 2nd March 2017
Stunning day, mild and sunny all day. Temp reached 13c this afternoon.
Hellebores border looked beautiful today, snowdrops beginning to flower in larger groups now. Next year should be spectacular.
The expected wildlife were out last night again, the trail camera picked out the fox, hedgehog and mouse at the same feeder (not together).
Stock doves, pigeons and doves have taken over the garden, unsure why still?
Hospital today, not good news to report. I have a 30mm tumour mid section of my right lung. The biopsies proved to be frustrating to the specialist at the RBH so was sent to Guys Hospital for help. It turns out to be a very rare type of tumour. The specialist from Guys is coming to Reading on 16th March to discuss with me the options. Was told that ultimately the tumour will have to be removed as will continue to grow whether cancerous or not. Any operation will be at Guys Hospital, a bummer that, who will feed my wildlife?!
Hellebores border looked beautiful today, snowdrops beginning to flower in larger groups now. Next year should be spectacular.
The expected wildlife were out last night again, the trail camera picked out the fox, hedgehog and mouse at the same feeder (not together).
Stock doves, pigeons and doves have taken over the garden, unsure why still?
Hospital today, not good news to report. I have a 30mm tumour mid section of my right lung. The biopsies proved to be frustrating to the specialist at the RBH so was sent to Guys Hospital for help. It turns out to be a very rare type of tumour. The specialist from Guys is coming to Reading on 16th March to discuss with me the options. Was told that ultimately the tumour will have to be removed as will continue to grow whether cancerous or not. Any operation will be at Guys Hospital, a bummer that, who will feed my wildlife?!
Wednesday, 1 March 2017
Wednesday 1st March 2017
Mild but another overcast day, rain returned again tonight.
Decided to redo the wildlife book part 1. The more I looked the more annoyed I became. Since when did a male great spotted become female and worse still spelt femail!! Redone and reordered.
Trail camera picked out a fox, a mouse and a hedgehog in the same spot last night. The mouse has taken residence in the water softener cupboard cosied up in the pipe lagging.
All the expected birds were about today with twelve pigeons taking over the ground feeding station. Think I may have to remove this particular feeder for a while?
Decided to redo the wildlife book part 1. The more I looked the more annoyed I became. Since when did a male great spotted become female and worse still spelt femail!! Redone and reordered.
Trail camera picked out a fox, a mouse and a hedgehog in the same spot last night. The mouse has taken residence in the water softener cupboard cosied up in the pipe lagging.
All the expected birds were about today with twelve pigeons taking over the ground feeding station. Think I may have to remove this particular feeder for a while?
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