Monday 7th September 2015

Another gorgeous day, warm and sunny all day.
Was up early today! Up for a dawn walk at Fobney, mist, good sunrise and water is a good combination for a reason to be out at that time of day. Was a stunning morning.
            Desktop computer lesson today, Colin spent time with me going through Picassa again. Think have the knowledge now to improve on how I manage the photographs. Cheers Colin. Finished the day by visiting the Old Bell for a pint and a pie.
All the photographs were captured at Fobney this morning.

Sunday 6th September 2015

What a cracking day, warm, sunny and stunning blue sky all day.
What happened I don't know, all I know is the alarm was set for 5.30am ready for a dawn walk. So why was it 9am before I woke up? Missed out on a good walk.
              A fair few moths again last night, all a bit samey now, want some rare species coming my way. Today of course being sunny there were loads of bees particularly on the sunflowers and a good number of butterflies.
Foxy and mice were about but very few birds. Sparrows and goldfinches but not much else.
               Day was spent clearing out the greenhouse of all the dead thistles that had self seeded during the year. Greenhouse not used this because of the time spent building the lodge/shed. All cleared out now ready for next spring. Will be used for tomatoes only.
Picture 1 - Speckled Wood butterfly.
      "     3 - Oops, fly became a cropper.
     " 2 - 9 - Moths.
      "    10 - Spent thistle flower seed heads.
      "    11 - Garden pond.
      "    12 - Balloon against blue sky, flew over house last night. Taken through the observatory roof.

Saturday 5th September 2015

Mild day with a little sun this afternoon.
Day spent with John, Hillary and Ian celebrating John's 70th and his recent retirement. Have always admired Johns joinery skills and boy didn't Mapledurham House come up trumps with his retirement gift. A hard backed book covering all Johns work during his 30 years with the company. From repairing windmills in the Caribbean to the winding staircase at the Tower of London John has worked his magic.
Was a good day meeting up with him again today. Enjoy your well earned retirement John.

Friday 4th September 2015

Mild day but has certainly got the Autumn feel now.
Enjoyed a day of 'pottering' in the garden today. Also prepared for the BBQ tonight, removing bird poo from the seats etc.
          The two young squirrels are manic, great fun go watch but feel they could well be a nuisance in the coming months.
Trail cameras have not shown up a hedgehog again this week do really worried now we have lost this one as well? Will continue to set the cameras each night and keeping fingers crossed we may spot one.
Not sure how many mice we have in the garden but have certainly seen five on the monitors between two habitats.
            Enjoyed a BBQ tonight with the Mullens to celebrate and to say bye bye o Leilani as she starts a big milestone in her life, starting University next week in Plymouth. Good luck Leilani, you will be fine.
No photographs tonight as blogger and iPad don't talk to one another!

Thursday 3rd September 2015

Another good day, mild with long periods of sun.
Not a good start to the day as found a drowned mouse in the small pond. Think the poor thing thought it was walking on a lawn. This pond I do nothing with except remove twigs and every two months remove the weed. The amount of pond life is amazing, have enjoyed some interesting pond dipping sessions with family children over the year.
Removed the weed today as pretty sure there are many more mice to be found in the area.
Plenty of moths about again last night, am seeing fewer butterflies now however.
           Enjoyed an afternoon walk at Fobney Nature Reserve this afternoon. Rarely venture out walking in the afternoon but was not disappointed as still plenty to see and admire. Not so much colour now but the different shades of green make up for it.
Picture 1 - Mouse v pond.
    " 2 - 4 - Moths.
    " 5 - 8 - Fobney Nature Reserve.

Wednesday 2nd September 2015

Very mild day with a fair amount of sun.
After morning weekly shop I spent rest of the day weeding. Because of the amount of mulching over the years there is actually very little weeding to deal with. Rose border was a bit of a mess as used by the foxes and cats as an open air toilet. Not much one can do about it.
            Good night for moths again, what is more noticeable this year is the small numbers inside the trap against the high numbers outside the trap, ie: on the table, ivy hedge and outside lamp.
Foxy cub also about, defo' him who is nicking the hedgehog food. Just no sign of the hedgehog, just hope it has found a home close by? Would have preferred my garden of course.
            Enjoyed a night out with Nick and Vonny at the Bull, Streatley. Nick has recently purchased a leaf (electric car) so was keen to show off. What a masterpiece of a car. Certainly the way forward but only as a second car for short trips at the moment. Watch this space I suppose.
All pictures are of moths from last night.

Tuesday 1st September 2015

Weather today not as forecast, was not happy. Mild yes, but showers most of the day.
Despite the rain overnight there was again a fair few moths still flying about this morning. Only a couple in the trap but plenty around the lamps, ivy hedge and table.
Foxy out again last night, good photograph this time. It is the fox sadly that is nicking the hedgehog food so am wondering if the hedgehog is still in the garden?
Two young squirrels were very playful on the lawn this morning. Not a clue where the drey is, as have said previously have not seen the squirrels all spring/summer.
Mice were about in the woodstack last night, insects are also appearing in the box now, just hope do not see a grass snake in there as did Simon King in his critter cam last night.
                 Apart from observing nothing doing in the garden today as out with Colin and Janet catching over a pint and a steak at the Warren House.
Picture 1 - Sunflower at nearly 4mtrs.
      "     2 - Foxy.
   " 3 & 4 - Moths.
   "        5 - Mice out for their evening snack.