Very warm and sunny, another brilliant day.
Three fox cubs out again last night along with two hedgehogs. The cubs were manic last night dashing about at speed and taking anything that could be taken. Spent morning collecting all my items from next doors lawn!
First signs of damsel flies today and a welcome return of the mint moths. Still another day of no butterflies on a day which was just perfect for them.
Ian and Savetrie visited this afternoon, good to see them again and to catch up on University gossip.
Wednesday, 31 May 2017
Tuesday 30th May 2017
Warm and sunny day.
Another exciting day in wildlife world. Three cubs plus mum on the lawn last night, some fantastic video images. Really unsure where they are living now, two doors down perhaps where we know there are historic fox dens.
Good to see the garden busy with bees today but where are the butterflies? Moths also in short supply this year. Just nothing in the trap to speak of.
No sign of swifts today, why? Weather conditions perfect.
Another exciting day in wildlife world. Three cubs plus mum on the lawn last night, some fantastic video images. Really unsure where they are living now, two doors down perhaps where we know there are historic fox dens.
Good to see the garden busy with bees today but where are the butterflies? Moths also in short supply this year. Just nothing in the trap to speak of.
No sign of swifts today, why? Weather conditions perfect.
Sunday 28th May 2017
Warm but mostly overcast, rain overnight.
Day relaxing. Despite it being overcast I still enjoyed being in the garden and watching the young birds being fed. Great Tits, goldfinches, blue tits, magpies, pied wagtails, starlings and blackbirds.
Only one cub out again last night but two hedgehogs, all good news in my book.
Day relaxing. Despite it being overcast I still enjoyed being in the garden and watching the young birds being fed. Great Tits, goldfinches, blue tits, magpies, pied wagtails, starlings and blackbirds.
Only one cub out again last night but two hedgehogs, all good news in my book.
Bank Holiday Monday 29th May 2017i
Warm and sunny day. We missed the thunderstorms that the South Coast suffered.
Trail camera picked up two cubs last night with Mum on the lawn, spending time under the silver birch tree. Eating uneaten hedgehog food I guess.
Rats still running about bottom end of the garden, appear to have taken over the foxes den. Time for further action.
Swifts busy this morning and mid afternoon into the evening. Not actually showing any interest in the boxes but do at least still fly down that side of the house.
Surprise visit by Ben, Anna and my good mate Boyo this afternoon. Can't believe it has been
eighteen months since we last met? Was good to catch up, a longer visit in the planning.
Trail camera picked up two cubs last night with Mum on the lawn, spending time under the silver birch tree. Eating uneaten hedgehog food I guess.
Rats still running about bottom end of the garden, appear to have taken over the foxes den. Time for further action.
Swifts busy this morning and mid afternoon into the evening. Not actually showing any interest in the boxes but do at least still fly down that side of the house.
Surprise visit by Ben, Anna and my good mate Boyo this afternoon. Can't believe it has been
eighteen months since we last met? Was good to catch up, a longer visit in the planning.
Saturday, 27 May 2017
Saturday 27th May 2017
Warm but mostly overcast, sun did make an appearance late this afternoon.
Planted out rest of the sunflowers and cut the lawn, a big achievement for me that today.
Trail camera still only showed one cub out last night. Hedgehogs busy, this is good news. Hopefully will see young this year.
A young magpie fell out of its nest this morning. Adults going mad but nothing one could do to help. Was still hopping about tonight but sadly feel the foxes will find it later.
Good to see mint moths on the herbs, generally speaking however not many moths about this year.
Planted out rest of the sunflowers and cut the lawn, a big achievement for me that today.
Trail camera still only showed one cub out last night. Hedgehogs busy, this is good news. Hopefully will see young this year.
A young magpie fell out of its nest this morning. Adults going mad but nothing one could do to help. Was still hopping about tonight but sadly feel the foxes will find it later.
Good to see mint moths on the herbs, generally speaking however not many moths about this year.
Thursday 25th May 2017
Warm and sunny most of the day and into the evening.
Day was taken up with a hospital visit. My first referral since the operation.
Day was taken up with a hospital visit. My first referral since the operation.
Friday 26th May 2017
Hottest day of the year.
Being hot did not do much except relax.
Dined alfresco, not a BBQ as have to keep away from smoke.
Did plant out a few sunflower plants, have about 60 plants still to plant.
Swifts busy today so swift call on most of the day. Two hedgehogs out last night at each end of the garden.
Appears to be only one fox cub around now. Trail cameras not picking up the family, can only assume they have moved on?
Being hot did not do much except relax.
Dined alfresco, not a BBQ as have to keep away from smoke.
Did plant out a few sunflower plants, have about 60 plants still to plant.
Swifts busy today so swift call on most of the day. Two hedgehogs out last night at each end of the garden.
Appears to be only one fox cub around now. Trail cameras not picking up the family, can only assume they have moved on?
Wednesday, 24 May 2017
Wednesday 24th May 2017
Very warm and sunny all day and well into the evening.
Lazy day just sitting in the garden taking in all the wonderfulness that surrounds me.
Plenty of bees about but no sign of butterflies other than a peacock this morning.
Wagtails still being fed, great spotted also busy again collecting fat.
Very few moths in the trap of a night but do spot them in the garden like my shed door and the side wall of the house.
Good to see Donna this morning, one of my work colleagues. Lavers have been very good with visits since my operation. Been retired six years now so rather touching that they have reacted the way they have.
Lazy day just sitting in the garden taking in all the wonderfulness that surrounds me.
Plenty of bees about but no sign of butterflies other than a peacock this morning.
Wagtails still being fed, great spotted also busy again collecting fat.
Very few moths in the trap of a night but do spot them in the garden like my shed door and the side wall of the house.
Good to see Donna this morning, one of my work colleagues. Lavers have been very good with visits since my operation. Been retired six years now so rather touching that they have reacted the way they have.
Tuesday, 23 May 2017
Tuesday 23rd May 2017
Mild but more overcast today. Sun made an entrance late afternoon into the evening.
Tonight the sky was full of swifts, so many of them. Swift call working as we're flying down that side of the house. Forever hopeful?
Brilliant trail camera images of the rat in the good store, sadly his days now numbered.
Trail camera only picked out one cub last night, interesting as right up to last night the give were always together.
Mint moth around most of the day on the various herb plants, mostly the mint of course.
Planted out a load more sunflower plants this morning, still loads more to plant out. The pallet herb planter has really worked. In fact plants now a little big for the pallet, good though.
Jill and Geoff visited this afternoon, good to see them and catch up with news from their recent Egypt holiday.
Tonight the sky was full of swifts, so many of them. Swift call working as we're flying down that side of the house. Forever hopeful?
Brilliant trail camera images of the rat in the good store, sadly his days now numbered.
Trail camera only picked out one cub last night, interesting as right up to last night the give were always together.
Mint moth around most of the day on the various herb plants, mostly the mint of course.
Planted out a load more sunflower plants this morning, still loads more to plant out. The pallet herb planter has really worked. In fact plants now a little big for the pallet, good though.
Jill and Geoff visited this afternoon, good to see them and catch up with news from their recent Egypt holiday.
Monday 22nd May 2017
Very warm and sunny all day.
Had a go at light gardening duties today. Planted out various varieties of marigolds in the sunflower border and in the sensory garden. Plants I have brought on myself, seed sown end of March.
Slugs and snails will be the problem now.
Still have 90 sunflower plants to plant out, a steady job for the rest of the week.
Trail camera set in the bird food store to confirm for sure it is a rat that is causing havoc. This morning all my plastic seed trays were spread across the floor, one of my propagaters I have never used chewed to bits so enough is enough.
Despite the warm weather there was no sign of swifts today, think it is going to be another disappointing year?
The young pied wagtails continue to be fed on the lawn, the great spotted woodpecker still taking away mouthfuls of fat. Good to see a yellow brimstone flying about today plus a speckled wood. Still plenty going on in the garden.
Had a go at light gardening duties today. Planted out various varieties of marigolds in the sunflower border and in the sensory garden. Plants I have brought on myself, seed sown end of March.
Slugs and snails will be the problem now.
Still have 90 sunflower plants to plant out, a steady job for the rest of the week.
Trail camera set in the bird food store to confirm for sure it is a rat that is causing havoc. This morning all my plastic seed trays were spread across the floor, one of my propagaters I have never used chewed to bits so enough is enough.
Despite the warm weather there was no sign of swifts today, think it is going to be another disappointing year?
The young pied wagtails continue to be fed on the lawn, the great spotted woodpecker still taking away mouthfuls of fat. Good to see a yellow brimstone flying about today plus a speckled wood. Still plenty going on in the garden.
Sunday, 21 May 2017
Sunday 21st May 2017
Warm and sunny all day and into the evening. My kind of day.
Another day relaxing in the garden and watching all the garden wildlife activity.
Pied Wagtail very busy feeding two young on the lawn. As fast as I was leaving out mealworms they were taken within minutes. Also an amazing number of insects were being caught.
Great spotted woody also busy taking fat from the fat block for young somewhere over the front of the house. Still feeding as at 8.30pm tonight.
Captured a stunning photograph of the adult fox tonight. Noticeable however that between two trail cameras set last night only one cub showed up. Strange that, will be interesting yo see what shows up tonight?
Yellow brimstone butterfly in the garden today but sadly never settled for photographs.
Another day relaxing in the garden and watching all the garden wildlife activity.
Pied Wagtail very busy feeding two young on the lawn. As fast as I was leaving out mealworms they were taken within minutes. Also an amazing number of insects were being caught.
Great spotted woody also busy taking fat from the fat block for young somewhere over the front of the house. Still feeding as at 8.30pm tonight.
Captured a stunning photograph of the adult fox tonight. Noticeable however that between two trail cameras set last night only one cub showed up. Strange that, will be interesting yo see what shows up tonight?
Yellow brimstone butterfly in the garden today but sadly never settled for photographs.
Saturday, 20 May 2017
Saturday 20th May 2017
Mild with long sunny spells. Still rather breezy however.
Result, managed a good photograph of waggy feeding two young on the back lawn.
Woody still clearly feeding young with mouthfuls of fat. Hope he introduces the young young the garden.
Mint moth liking the lavender today as did loads of bees.
The five fox cubs are still suckling, must finish soon as cubs so big now. Not seeing food being brought back now so wondering what they are living on, oh all right then they do enjoy a few dog biscuits each night.
Result, managed a good photograph of waggy feeding two young on the back lawn.
Woody still clearly feeding young with mouthfuls of fat. Hope he introduces the young young the garden.
Mint moth liking the lavender today as did loads of bees.
The five fox cubs are still suckling, must finish soon as cubs so big now. Not seeing food being brought back now so wondering what they are living on, oh all right then they do enjoy a few dog biscuits each night.
Thursday 18th May 2017
Mild but breezy and very wet. Rain all day. No complaints as Garden required it.
Day spent indoors working on the desk top sorting out my hundreds of fox family photographs.
Day spent indoors working on the desk top sorting out my hundreds of fox family photographs.
Friday 19th May 2017
Mixed bag of weather. Mild, breezy, showers and long sunny spells.
How brilliant is this, pied wagtail feeding young. The bad news is they would not cooperate re a photograph. Being fed on the conservatory roof is not good when wanting to achieve a good photograph.
Male great spotted clearly feeding young. Spent all day flying over the house with mouthfuls of fat.
Good to see the mint moth on the mint this morning. Just love this particular moth.
How brilliant is this, pied wagtail feeding young. The bad news is they would not cooperate re a photograph. Being fed on the conservatory roof is not good when wanting to achieve a good photograph.
Male great spotted clearly feeding young. Spent all day flying over the house with mouthfuls of fat.
Good to see the mint moth on the mint this morning. Just love this particular moth.
Wednesday, 17 May 2017
Wednesday 17th May 2017
Blimey, what a contrast in weather today. Heavy rain all day and into the evening. Will help my wild flower meadow and newly laid turf lawn.
A day indoors for sure with not a lot going on outside. In fact nothing to report.
A day indoors for sure with not a lot going on outside. In fact nothing to report.
Tuesday 16th May 2017
Very warm and sunny. Just loved today.
Getting to like this resting way of life, spent most of the day sitting in the garden enjoying the wildlife that surrounded me.
Swifts flying close to the house, young pied wagtails being fed (this a first in the garden), blackbird collecting mouthfuls of moss, male great spotted woodpecker collecting mouthfuls of fat and flying to the front of the house and starlings also feeding young.
Not forgetting the hedgehogs out last night and the red kite that appeared on the lawn. Managed a photograph as it flew away.
All in all, a good day.
Getting to like this resting way of life, spent most of the day sitting in the garden enjoying the wildlife that surrounded me.
Swifts flying close to the house, young pied wagtails being fed (this a first in the garden), blackbird collecting mouthfuls of moss, male great spotted woodpecker collecting mouthfuls of fat and flying to the front of the house and starlings also feeding young.
Not forgetting the hedgehogs out last night and the red kite that appeared on the lawn. Managed a photograph as it flew away.
All in all, a good day.
Monday, 15 May 2017
Monday 15th May 2017
Mild, windy, overcast after overnight rain.
Catching up with computer stuff today as still a touch sore after over doing it on Saturday.
Catching up with computer stuff today as still a touch sore after over doing it on Saturday.
Sunday, 14 May 2017
Sunday 14th May 2017
Mild and sunny day.
A bad day, clearly over did it yesterday. Forced to rest completely today so not sure what went on in the garden.
A bad day, clearly over did it yesterday. Forced to rest completely today so not sure what went on in the garden.
Saturday 13th May 2017
Warm and sunny day. Heavy rain and windy during the night.
My first day out since my operation. A day in town for the Reading Prison open day. A last chance to visit the prison before the bulldozers move in.
Very interesting but boy what such tiny cells and to think in use up to 2013.
Had to queue for over an hour, could not believe the number of visitors.
Trail camera picked up brilliant images of a hedgehog and two fox cubs last night at 3.30am when it was pouring and blowing a gale.
My first day out since my operation. A day in town for the Reading Prison open day. A last chance to visit the prison before the bulldozers move in.
Very interesting but boy what such tiny cells and to think in use up to 2013.
Had to queue for over an hour, could not believe the number of visitors.
Trail camera picked up brilliant images of a hedgehog and two fox cubs last night at 3.30am when it was pouring and blowing a gale.
Friday, 12 May 2017
Friday 12th May 2017
Warm and sunny day.
Busy day for visitors. This morning a visit from my manager at Lavers. Always good to see Barry, nothing like some work gossip...
This afternoon Nigel and Lyn called in. Thanks for the home grown strawberries Lyn, went down a treat tonight with my salad dinner.
After a six month absence it was a welcome return this afternoon of the male great spotted woodpecker.
Some more cracking fox cub images from last night. The video cam proved the cubs were now investigating the back lawn.
Busy day for visitors. This morning a visit from my manager at Lavers. Always good to see Barry, nothing like some work gossip...
This afternoon Nigel and Lyn called in. Thanks for the home grown strawberries Lyn, went down a treat tonight with my salad dinner.
After a six month absence it was a welcome return this afternoon of the male great spotted woodpecker.
Some more cracking fox cub images from last night. The video cam proved the cubs were now investigating the back lawn.
Thursday 11th May 2017
Mild and sunny most of the day with a good amount of rain tonight. Was very welcome.
Janet and Colin spent the day with us, they love our garden so we were thankful the rain kept away until evening.
Some more great images of the fox cubs from the trail cameras. Just not able to use the hide yet for photography.
Waggy still taking mouthfuls of food away, flies to the front of the house.
Sadly have had to take drastic measures against the rat(s) that have invaded the bird food store. Enough is enough.
Janet and Colin spent the day with us, they love our garden so we were thankful the rain kept away until evening.
Some more great images of the fox cubs from the trail cameras. Just not able to use the hide yet for photography.
Waggy still taking mouthfuls of food away, flies to the front of the house.
Sadly have had to take drastic measures against the rat(s) that have invaded the bird food store. Enough is enough.
Wednesday, 10 May 2017
Wednesday 10th May 2017
Very warm and sunny, my kind of day.
Sat in the garden most of the day, good to watch the swifts, six flying close to the house this morning. Also made an appearance late this afternoon.
Been noticeable this year the lack of nesting birds in the garden. Not even seeing birds collecting nest material.
Waggy is clearly nesting close by as taking mouthfuls of food from the ground feeder.
Sat in the garden most of the day, good to watch the swifts, six flying close to the house this morning. Also made an appearance late this afternoon.
Been noticeable this year the lack of nesting birds in the garden. Not even seeing birds collecting nest material.
Waggy is clearly nesting close by as taking mouthfuls of food from the ground feeder.
Tuesday 9th May 2017
Mild day, little sun so at times felt cold.
Hospital this morning, spending more time at hospitals than at home these days.
Good to see Jamie and Debbie this afternoon, worked with Jamie many years ago, never lost touch despite living in Sheffield.
Extraordinary behaviour from the starlings. While in hospital starlings built a nest, today they continued to remove the nest, just scraps left now.
Fox cubs still busy in the garden, have some amazing images as a record.
Hospital this morning, spending more time at hospitals than at home these days.
Good to see Jamie and Debbie this afternoon, worked with Jamie many years ago, never lost touch despite living in Sheffield.
Extraordinary behaviour from the starlings. While in hospital starlings built a nest, today they continued to remove the nest, just scraps left now.
Fox cubs still busy in the garden, have some amazing images as a record.
Monday, 8 May 2017
Saturday 28th April - Monday 8th May 2017
Mixed weather during this period but mostly dry and sunny. Desperate for some rain now.
All about convalescing, progressing well, have my moments. Can see why I am in for a long recovery period. Frustration and patience will be my main issue aside from the pain.
On a lighter note has been a good week for garden wildlife. Swifts made an appearance on the 3rd and 4th May. Swift call now ready for connection.
Fox cubs continue to amuse, have to rely on the trail camera images as unable to hold a camera steady at the moment.
All about convalescing, progressing well, have my moments. Can see why I am in for a long recovery period. Frustration and patience will be my main issue aside from the pain.
On a lighter note has been a good week for garden wildlife. Swifts made an appearance on the 3rd and 4th May. Swift call now ready for connection.
Fox cubs continue to amuse, have to rely on the trail camera images as unable to hold a camera steady at the moment.
Friday, 5 May 2017
Monday 24th - Friday 28th April 2017
Apparently a very cold week.
Operation to remove a hard asbestos tumour in my middle lobe of the right lung was a success. Two ribs broken for access and the whole lobe removed.
Sunday 23rd April 2017
Warm and sunny all day.
Traveling to Guys hospital today ready for my 7.30am operation tomorrow.
London a bit busy due to the marathon, all added to the excitement of the day.
My ward is directly opposite the Shard on the top floor (9th) of Guys, my home now for the next week.
Traveling to Guys hospital today ready for my 7.30am operation tomorrow.
London a bit busy due to the marathon, all added to the excitement of the day.
My ward is directly opposite the Shard on the top floor (9th) of Guys, my home now for the next week.
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