Very cold.
Not my kind of day. Had to stay in for the Gas Board and Rangemaster. Gas boiler was only a battery change to the thermostat but the cooker is a major issue. Requires two chaps to lift the cooker clear of the floor. A Morrisons ready cooked chicken and salad tonight then!?
Nothing else to report sadly.
Thursday, 30 November 2017
Wednesday 29th November 2017
Very cold.
RIP Lyn - over 200 attended the service, you would have been well chuffed. xxx
RIP Lyn - over 200 attended the service, you would have been well chuffed. xxx
Tuesday 28th November 2017
Very cold day.
After suffering an outdoor power outage overnight I have today had to reset all the cameras and lighting.
Not the first time this has happened but for some reasons when this occurs the camera dates refer to the year 2013?
Before the outage the images stored showed the one fox and a mouse busy during the night.
Was due to attend a Fobney meeting tonight, my first since my operastion. However on just reaching the A33 I suffered a puncture. With the AA taking 90 minutes to arrive it meant I missed the meeting. Annoying to say the least.
After suffering an outdoor power outage overnight I have today had to reset all the cameras and lighting.
Not the first time this has happened but for some reasons when this occurs the camera dates refer to the year 2013?
Before the outage the images stored showed the one fox and a mouse busy during the night.
Was due to attend a Fobney meeting tonight, my first since my operastion. However on just reaching the A33 I suffered a puncture. With the AA taking 90 minutes to arrive it meant I missed the meeting. Annoying to say the least.
Monday, 27 November 2017
Monday 27th November 2017
Another chilly day, lacking sun, mostly overcast with rain late afternoon into the evening.
An interesting and emotional day in equal measures visiting the Poppy Factory in Richmond. Have always donated each year for a poppy thinking I knew everything there was to know about the poppy and Remembrance Day. How wrong I was. The history of the poppy and the poppy factory is an emotional story and so important I feel more publicity should be advertising the facts.
An interesting and emotional day in equal measures visiting the Poppy Factory in Richmond. Have always donated each year for a poppy thinking I knew everything there was to know about the poppy and Remembrance Day. How wrong I was. The history of the poppy and the poppy factory is an emotional story and so important I feel more publicity should be advertising the facts.
Sunday 26th November 2017
A little chilly, sunny moments with showers early morning and late afternoon.
Another night without a sighting of the hedgehogs. Don't blame them for hibernating now the evenings are becoming appreciably colder.
Spent today installing an electric light designed to highlight the silver birch tree. Colours are set to alternate. Looks pretty good, may well purchase another.
Working outside and close to the feeders it meant the garden was missing out on birds today.
Another night without a sighting of the hedgehogs. Don't blame them for hibernating now the evenings are becoming appreciably colder.
Spent today installing an electric light designed to highlight the silver birch tree. Colours are set to alternate. Looks pretty good, may well purchase another.
Working outside and close to the feeders it meant the garden was missing out on birds today.
Saturday, 25 November 2017
Saturday 25th November 2017
Blimey, that was a hard frost. Sunny and cold day with temperature only reaching 10c at mid day.
Despite my comment yesterday re last of the leaves being swept up, today could not believe a load more appeared overnight. Filled another large sack. That really is it now.
Spike not seen last night so think perhaps both are now hibernating? Felt sorry for foxy, looked rather lonely without the hedgehogs.
The mouse was seen close to the wood stack. Enjoys the left over hedgehog nibbles. May have to continue leaving out a few nibbles each night?
Despite my comment yesterday re last of the leaves being swept up, today could not believe a load more appeared overnight. Filled another large sack. That really is it now.
Spike not seen last night so think perhaps both are now hibernating? Felt sorry for foxy, looked rather lonely without the hedgehogs.
The mouse was seen close to the wood stack. Enjoys the left over hedgehog nibbles. May have to continue leaving out a few nibbles each night?
Friday, 24 November 2017
Friday 24th November 2017
Sunny and pretty cold today. How winter days should be.
A day out today. Enjoyed a very interesting day with Janet and Colin at the Hampshire living museum, the Milestone Centre. Given me an idea now to create my own museum in Lorna's abandoned studio.
Not being at home today I am unable to confirm sightings of garden wildlife.
A day out today. Enjoyed a very interesting day with Janet and Colin at the Hampshire living museum, the Milestone Centre. Given me an idea now to create my own museum in Lorna's abandoned studio.
Not being at home today I am unable to confirm sightings of garden wildlife.
Thursday 23rd November 2017
Mild but again very windy, gale force in fact.
Despite the wind I still managed to clear leaves from the front garden. The wind had blown this lot up against the fence. Made it difficult to mow so this lot bagged as full leaves.
All leaves now down, the acre tree now bare.
Fox and a hedgehog out last night as was at least one mouse. The roosting great tit not turned up tonight, blown off course perhaps?
All the regular bird visitors busy today, really eating loads of bird food now. Monkey nuts and sunflower hearts mainly.
Despite the wind I still managed to clear leaves from the front garden. The wind had blown this lot up against the fence. Made it difficult to mow so this lot bagged as full leaves.
All leaves now down, the acre tree now bare.
Fox and a hedgehog out last night as was at least one mouse. The roosting great tit not turned up tonight, blown off course perhaps?
All the regular bird visitors busy today, really eating loads of bird food now. Monkey nuts and sunflower hearts mainly.
Wednesday 22nd November 2017
Mild but again very windy.
Most of the day spent clearing leaves from both ends of the garden. One more session should finish the job for this year.
The one hedgehog and fox were out last night. Trail camera also picked out a mouse scurrying around the decking close to the wood stack.
The great tit is still roosting each night in a swift nest box. Bit of a shock to find a fish in the pond this afternoon. Not seen one for three years now so unsure where this one has been?
Spent some time this afternoon working on a calendar for 2018. Have created a monthly calendar with mixed photographs of wildlife and garden. Now in print.
Tuesday 21st November 2017
Mild but very windy, gale force in fact.
Still managed to clear more leaves from the front garden.
The one hedgehog is still about of an evening as is the fox. Still eating out of the same bowl.
Great spotted woodpecker, jays, long tailed tits in the garden most of the day.
Still managed to clear more leaves from the front garden.
The one hedgehog is still about of an evening as is the fox. Still eating out of the same bowl.
Great spotted woodpecker, jays, long tailed tits in the garden most of the day.
Monday, 20 November 2017
Monday 20th November 2017
A mild day for this time of year. Temperature reached 15c this afternoon.
Day at the hospital.
Day at the hospital.
Sunday, 19 November 2017
Sunday 19th November 2017s
What a change in weather. Today colder with temperature only reaching 11c this afternoon but helped by a day of sun. Loved it.
Day in the garden, more leaves mowed from the front garden and scattered on the wooded area.
Pruned and tied back three pyracantha plants against the trellis. Made amazing growth this year.
Pulled up a rotten apple tree trunk that was in fear of falling. Filled all the cracks with peanut butter and leant it against the robinia tree for the woodpeckers.
Jays and woodpeckers busy in the garden today, managed a few good images of the Jay breaking open a monkey nut on the fence. Great tit roosting again tonight, although the weather was awful last night (wet) it did not appear.
The exciting news today was watching a buzzard being mobbed by numerous crows and gulls against a superb blue sky. Have thought for a while I had seen a buzzard about but this was no mistaking, right overhead.
Iffy week next week with hospital appointments so may be late in postings but will catch up as the week progresses. Will be relying on the trail cameras.
Day in the garden, more leaves mowed from the front garden and scattered on the wooded area.
Pruned and tied back three pyracantha plants against the trellis. Made amazing growth this year.
Pulled up a rotten apple tree trunk that was in fear of falling. Filled all the cracks with peanut butter and leant it against the robinia tree for the woodpeckers.
Jays and woodpeckers busy in the garden today, managed a few good images of the Jay breaking open a monkey nut on the fence. Great tit roosting again tonight, although the weather was awful last night (wet) it did not appear.
The exciting news today was watching a buzzard being mobbed by numerous crows and gulls against a superb blue sky. Have thought for a while I had seen a buzzard about but this was no mistaking, right overhead.
Iffy week next week with hospital appointments so may be late in postings but will catch up as the week progresses. Will be relying on the trail cameras.
Saturday, 18 November 2017
Saturday 18th November 2017
Much colder day, very little sun. Mostly overcast and heavy rain late afternoon into the evening. In fact pouring as I write this.
A day outside mowing up more leaves from the front garden and now spread on the wooded area of the garden.
Foxy and spike were seen last night as was a mouse close to the wood stack. No sign of the Jays or woodpeckers today but all the other regular birds were busy feeding from the sunflower heart feeder. Sunflower hearts and peanuts are the only bird food I purchase now.
A day outside mowing up more leaves from the front garden and now spread on the wooded area of the garden.
Foxy and spike were seen last night as was a mouse close to the wood stack. No sign of the Jays or woodpeckers today but all the other regular birds were busy feeding from the sunflower heart feeder. Sunflower hearts and peanuts are the only bird food I purchase now.
Friday, 17 November 2017
Friday 17th November 2017
Overnight frost but the day was good. Sunny all day with temperature reaching 15c this afternoon in the sun.
A day in the garden mowing up leaves from both front and back garden.
Did not check sd cards from last night so unsure of activity. During the day however the garden was busy with all the usual birds. Great tit still roosting of a night and much are busy in the wood piles.
A day in the garden mowing up leaves from both front and back garden.
Did not check sd cards from last night so unsure of activity. During the day however the garden was busy with all the usual birds. Great tit still roosting of a night and much are busy in the wood piles.
Thursday, 16 November 2017
Thursday 16th November 2017
Another very mild winters say with temperature reaching 14c this afternoon.
A day in the garden, another two large sacks of leaves mowed up from the front garden. By late afternoon it didn't look as though I had touched the leaves.
Spike and foxy out again last night on the back lawn. Jays, great spotted and magpies still fighting over the monkey nuts. Usual number of goldfinches, blue tits, blackbirds and dunnocks at the feeder today.
A day in the garden, another two large sacks of leaves mowed up from the front garden. By late afternoon it didn't look as though I had touched the leaves.
Spike and foxy out again last night on the back lawn. Jays, great spotted and magpies still fighting over the monkey nuts. Usual number of goldfinches, blue tits, blackbirds and dunnocks at the feeder today.
Wednesday, 15 November 2017
Wednesday 15th November 2017
Mild day with temperature reaching 14c this afternoon. Sadly no sun today, very overcast.
Day indoors working on a garden wildlife calendar. Not sure whether to proceed however.
Female great spotted woodpecker now a regular visitor. Jays and magpies also busy today, in fact three magpies were fighting over the monkey nuts.
Hedgehog and foxy out again last night. Feeder cam' showed a squirrel and a jay eating peanut butter, did not expect that.
Day indoors working on a garden wildlife calendar. Not sure whether to proceed however.
Female great spotted woodpecker now a regular visitor. Jays and magpies also busy today, in fact three magpies were fighting over the monkey nuts.
Hedgehog and foxy out again last night. Feeder cam' showed a squirrel and a jay eating peanut butter, did not expect that.
Tuesday, 14 November 2017
Tuesday 14th November 2017
A much milder day. Temperature reached double figures but mostly overcast.
Bit of a lazy day doing not much.
A trip to Henry Street this morning for nothing much. A really good Christmas display again this year.
Trail cameras showed a hedgehog out last night on the back lawn. No hog activity at the lower end of the garden.
Foxy also shown, a permanent feature of the garden. A mouse was also shown close to the wood pile.
A great tit has been roosting in the swift box for a few days now. Last time this happened was two years ago.
The female great spotted woodpecker was busy again on the robinia tree close to the new nest box.
Monday, 13 November 2017
Monday 13th October 2017
Sunny day but so much colder. Temperature only reached 8c as at lunchtime.
Day in the garden. This morning fixed up a new woodpecker box wired with a camera to a monitor.
The previous box succumbed to a chewed cable at the point it entered the camera. Impossible to repair. Chewed by a squirrel. This particular box is a little high in the silver birch tree to reach these days. This replacement box is fixed in the robinia tree at a lower level.
Within ten minutes of putting the ladder away a female great spotted woodpecker appeared at the box, how good was that?
Have to add however blue tits were also sounding out this box.
Long tailed tits also appeared today on the fat stick feeder. So many goldfinches and blue tits about today.
Finished looking at the trail camera cards today from the holiday period and think at least one hedgehog has hibernated, last seen 31st October. The tother one last seen 7th November.
Two foxes appeared, male and female so may hear barking at night in the coming weeks?
This afternoon I had the mower out to mow up fallen leaves from the front garden. Ready made leaf mulch.
Day in the garden. This morning fixed up a new woodpecker box wired with a camera to a monitor.
The previous box succumbed to a chewed cable at the point it entered the camera. Impossible to repair. Chewed by a squirrel. This particular box is a little high in the silver birch tree to reach these days. This replacement box is fixed in the robinia tree at a lower level.
Within ten minutes of putting the ladder away a female great spotted woodpecker appeared at the box, how good was that?
Have to add however blue tits were also sounding out this box.
Long tailed tits also appeared today on the fat stick feeder. So many goldfinches and blue tits about today.
Finished looking at the trail camera cards today from the holiday period and think at least one hedgehog has hibernated, last seen 31st October. The tother one last seen 7th November.
Two foxes appeared, male and female so may hear barking at night in the coming weeks?
This afternoon I had the mower out to mow up fallen leaves from the front garden. Ready made leaf mulch.
Sunday, 12 November 2017
Sunday 12th November 2017
Cold, sunny, breezy, a stunning Autumnal day.
Day spent in the garden clearing leaves mostly. A fair amount fell while on holiday so am on catch up. Eight large sacks filled today and now spread in the woodland area.
Just one hedgehog appeared last night so think perhaps now hibernating. Will continue to feed until there are no sightings of the second one.
The one fox is still very active, nothing unusual as there has always been at least one in the garden.
My trail cameras will confirm any activity of course.
I have recently posted a kingfisher photograph on social media which I was lucky to see last week in Yorkshire.
I have received the most ever response to a photograph with some amazing comments. I am pretty chuffed over this but despite certain comments I will not be submitting to any competition or calendar. I am all about sharing my passion for my garden wildlife and love of the UK countryside. I do appreciate any comments of course.
Day spent in the garden clearing leaves mostly. A fair amount fell while on holiday so am on catch up. Eight large sacks filled today and now spread in the woodland area.
Just one hedgehog appeared last night so think perhaps now hibernating. Will continue to feed until there are no sightings of the second one.
The one fox is still very active, nothing unusual as there has always been at least one in the garden.
My trail cameras will confirm any activity of course.
I have recently posted a kingfisher photograph on social media which I was lucky to see last week in Yorkshire.
I have received the most ever response to a photograph with some amazing comments. I am pretty chuffed over this but despite certain comments I will not be submitting to any competition or calendar. I am all about sharing my passion for my garden wildlife and love of the UK countryside. I do appreciate any comments of course.
Saturday, 11 November 2017
Saturday 11th November 2017
Awful day, rain all day. Dark, overcast and much cooler.
Did manage to plant out a dozen wallflower plants (bought in Yorkshire) to replace those displaced by the fox. Also fixed up a wren roosting box in the area the wren is seen mostly.
Rest of the day indoors sorting out the holiday photographs. Particularly pleased with the kingfisher images.
Images 1 & 2 - Breary Marsh nature reserve.
" 3 - Nuthatch in Paul and Margaret's garden.
" 4 - 7 - Firework night at " " "
" 8 - Cookridge Hall golf course.
" 9 - 19 - Adel Dam nature reserve.
" 20 - 22 - Harlow Carr.
" 23 - 30 - Malhamdale.
Friday, 10 November 2017
Friday 10th November 2017
A lovely day. Mild and sunny most of the day.
Managed to check through two sd cards, nothing unusual showing. Hedgehogs and foxy out every night while away.
Car returned this morning, Citroen acknowledged this fault should not have been at only 19000 miles so offered a goodwill discount of 50%. Still a hefty bill however. Must move on and put this behind me now.
Managed to check through two sd cards, nothing unusual showing. Hedgehogs and foxy out every night while away.
Car returned this morning, Citroen acknowledged this fault should not have been at only 19000 miles so offered a goodwill discount of 50%. Still a hefty bill however. Must move on and put this behind me now.
Thursday 2nd - Thursday 9th November 2017
A week of glorious weather in Yorkshire.
Another good holiday staying with Margaret and Paul, so lucky again with the weather. The firework party with the family was another success, really enjoyed the singing around the 🔥 as a final ending to decades of this family gathering. It was agreed this would be the last, so pleased William and Elizabeth managed to find the time to attend from their busy University timetable. We have been visiting this same week since the early seventies. Thank you Margaret and Paul.
Enjoyed visits to Adel Dam at Breary Marsh nature reserve, Golden Acre, Harlow Carr and Malhamdale. Weather just perfect. Highlight was the sighting of a kingfisher at Adel Dam, sat on a branch for a good 30 minutes allowing for some great photographs.
Have a job on my hands now uploading and sorting thousands of trail camera images not forgetting the holiday photographs of course.
Will be posting images during the next few days.
We were lucky this holiday actually took place after an horrendous experience on the M1 on the trip up. Losing all power in an instant on a smart motorway is no joke. The car had a serious fault connected to the hybrid technology. The deal I have with the AA includes a replacement vehicle in such instances. The replacement vehicle turned out to be an automatic 8 seater mini coach! As you can imagine our car was full of holiday gear which had to be transferred of course. This was a situation I definitely do not wish to have repeated and certainly am 100% against smart motorways.
Another good holiday staying with Margaret and Paul, so lucky again with the weather. The firework party with the family was another success, really enjoyed the singing around the 🔥 as a final ending to decades of this family gathering. It was agreed this would be the last, so pleased William and Elizabeth managed to find the time to attend from their busy University timetable. We have been visiting this same week since the early seventies. Thank you Margaret and Paul.
Enjoyed visits to Adel Dam at Breary Marsh nature reserve, Golden Acre, Harlow Carr and Malhamdale. Weather just perfect. Highlight was the sighting of a kingfisher at Adel Dam, sat on a branch for a good 30 minutes allowing for some great photographs.
Have a job on my hands now uploading and sorting thousands of trail camera images not forgetting the holiday photographs of course.
Will be posting images during the next few days.
We were lucky this holiday actually took place after an horrendous experience on the M1 on the trip up. Losing all power in an instant on a smart motorway is no joke. The car had a serious fault connected to the hybrid technology. The deal I have with the AA includes a replacement vehicle in such instances. The replacement vehicle turned out to be an automatic 8 seater mini coach! As you can imagine our car was full of holiday gear which had to be transferred of course. This was a situation I definitely do not wish to have repeated and certainly am 100% against smart motorways.
Wednesday, 1 November 2017
Wednesday 1st November 2017
Mild and sunny most of the day. Temperature drops somewhat in the evenings now.
Day in the garden, lawns cut and leaves collected. Vulnerable plants covered with fleece and plants in the greenhouse also covered in fleece.
Bird bath cam' was successful with a jay, blackbirds, doves, goldfinches, squirrels all shown enjoying a drink.
Two hedgehogs and two foxes appeared again last night. Being away now for a while I wonder how they will fair food wise. For the hedgehogs I have actually bought a chicken feeder that should last once filled.
Yorkshire Dales next stop.
Day in the garden, lawns cut and leaves collected. Vulnerable plants covered with fleece and plants in the greenhouse also covered in fleece.
Bird bath cam' was successful with a jay, blackbirds, doves, goldfinches, squirrels all shown enjoying a drink.
Two hedgehogs and two foxes appeared again last night. Being away now for a while I wonder how they will fair food wise. For the hedgehogs I have actually bought a chicken feeder that should last once filled.
Yorkshire Dales next stop.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)