Recently we visited our grandson who lives in the Chilterns, after lunch we crossed the lane he lives in, and entered the woodlands opposite. Following a narrow path through the perimeter bushes we found the dense undergrowth gave way to the typical spaces of an ancient beechwood. The floor was thickly carpeted with a top layer of freshly fallen orangey brown autumn leaves, joyfully crisp to walk on. Smooth grey green beech trunks stretched far above us, holding lightly leaved branches aloft and outward, extending themselves into a fine tracery of twigs, silhouetted against the blue sky. Here and there sunlight filtered prettily down through the branches and where it lit and warmed the woodland floor would be a patch of nettles, freshly green and tall, leaning and reaching toward the sunlight. Toadstools often nibbled at the edges were many and varied, as was lichen. Branches and even trees lay where they had fallen; sprouting both funghi and lichen, in other places dead trees remained standing, with bracket funghi growing up the entire length of the trunk. I was entranced by both the colours and patterns of the funghi and lichen. Traditionally ancient beech woodlands are often home to truffles and I wondered if any were growing there.
Under the crisp topping of leaves was a thick humous rich layer inhabited by many different insects, I would like to have gone beetle hunting but time didn't allow. This wood must be home to so many small mammals as well as larger ones we were shown the biggest badger sett I have ever seen and my grandson and his fiancee feel priviledged to have watched badgers, who just seem oblivious to their presence. These woodlands are also home to a large herd of Muntjac deer, which also wander through my grandson's garden.
Beech mast littered the floor, and occasionally we came across hazel trees, with a scattering of nuts and empty shells underneath. Here we saw evidence of the resident rodent population --- it was interesting to see the different ways the shells had been opened, some split in half, perhaps by squirrels, others with large holes in the bottom half of one side and yet more with tiny round neat holes --- mice and voles maybe.
Our woodland wander was wonderful and enhanced by the accompaniment of my grandson’s four cats, who daily go for a walk with him. They were delightful never venturing far from us, either walking in single file behind or three of them chasing each other round and about, back and forth or up and down trees. The fourth cat is an old gentleman of 15 years, pure white and still quite spritely, although he no longer rough and tumbles or climbs trees.
Old woodlands such as these are magical places and we are so fortunate to be able to enjoy them. The woodland I described here reminded me of High Beech woodlands, not too far from where we all live.
Friday, 11 September 2009
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Disappearing Squirrels
We have had quite a few noteworthy events during the past two months, the first was when we were checking the drains and on lifting an inspection cover found a tablespoon-sized toad quite happily sitting there. He was relocated to the pond area. Another which stands out but this time for its comparative value was while clearing the undergrowth from an apple tree we found an enormous toad, darkly brown and lumpy we stopped clearing and went to sit by the pond there we were delighted to see an eft he was so tiny but perfect he had such delicate little hands and arms and was such a contrast to the old toad, but we were quite charmed by them both.
Thrushes have managed to rear a brood successfully there are so many predators in the garden to steal their eggs or young -- jays, magpies, crows and squirrels spring to mind, this morning I looked out of the end kitchen window and saw blue and great tits, 3 wrens, a chaffinch, pigeons, blackbirds, thrushes, a white throat and a flock of long-tailed tits. Pheasants continue to visit, but the creatures who have consistently afforded us the most pleasure and amusement are the grey squirrels, sadly I now have to report we have none. A few weeks ago we were enjoying both the adults and their young, we fed them as usual in the morning and although it seemed a little odd when we didn't see them the rest of the day we weren't unduly worried, but the next day none appeared which set alarm bells ringing, the day wore on and still none came and the same every following day. I am mystified. I have no answer. I can only wonder. One missing squirrel I could think, maybe a passing car, fox, cat or even a bird of prey, but all of them -- could they have succumbed to an infectious disease.
Butterflies have been in colourful abundance this spring and summer and the garden has hummed to the tune of hundreds of bees of many types -- and now a few wasps are appearing. We arrived home one evening to find a huge swarm of angry hornets buzzing around the outside light, we used the back entrance and turned off the light, the swarm dispersed and thankfully although we've seen the odd one or two, we haven't seen a worrying number. Hornets are not naturally aggressive, I read, however their size is enough to make me shudder! The fruit trees are heavy with their welcome crop, which as yet although unripe is being eaten in situ by the tits and blackbirds. Hips and haws hang heavy this year as do the elderberries, reminding us that golden autumn is on its way with its shorter days and misty mornings.
Thrushes have managed to rear a brood successfully there are so many predators in the garden to steal their eggs or young -- jays, magpies, crows and squirrels spring to mind, this morning I looked out of the end kitchen window and saw blue and great tits, 3 wrens, a chaffinch, pigeons, blackbirds, thrushes, a white throat and a flock of long-tailed tits. Pheasants continue to visit, but the creatures who have consistently afforded us the most pleasure and amusement are the grey squirrels, sadly I now have to report we have none. A few weeks ago we were enjoying both the adults and their young, we fed them as usual in the morning and although it seemed a little odd when we didn't see them the rest of the day we weren't unduly worried, but the next day none appeared which set alarm bells ringing, the day wore on and still none came and the same every following day. I am mystified. I have no answer. I can only wonder. One missing squirrel I could think, maybe a passing car, fox, cat or even a bird of prey, but all of them -- could they have succumbed to an infectious disease.
Butterflies have been in colourful abundance this spring and summer and the garden has hummed to the tune of hundreds of bees of many types -- and now a few wasps are appearing. We arrived home one evening to find a huge swarm of angry hornets buzzing around the outside light, we used the back entrance and turned off the light, the swarm dispersed and thankfully although we've seen the odd one or two, we haven't seen a worrying number. Hornets are not naturally aggressive, I read, however their size is enough to make me shudder! The fruit trees are heavy with their welcome crop, which as yet although unripe is being eaten in situ by the tits and blackbirds. Hips and haws hang heavy this year as do the elderberries, reminding us that golden autumn is on its way with its shorter days and misty mornings.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Mid-Summer in the Garden
One fine morning with the kitchen window wide open, I heard the pheasant beating a tattoo with his beak on the paving stones beneath as he pecked up the seeds, on looking down I saw a jay delicately picking ants from the surface of half an orange, placed there for the butterflies. This month in addition to the usual birds we have been lucky to also watch; herons, spotted flycatchers, reed buntings, reed warblers and a kingfisher. The Muntjac deer still use the garden and keep the lower branches of an apple tree well pruned.
Within the garden are large clumps of Geranium Phaeum or Morning Geraniums as they are commonly known, the flowers are small, dark and fairly insignificant, appearing one after the other up the stem. Now the flowers are all but finished and many people cut the untidy, straggly stems back to the neat mound of leaves beneath. However if this action is resisted the reward will be great as bullfinches will visit to enjoy the seeds. These are such attractive birds with their well defined and striking markings and a great addition to any garden.
The delicately pretty wild roses are festooning the hedgerows, both field roses ---white, and dog roses--- pink. I notice a great variation in the depth of colour of the dog roses, from palest pink to a really deep shade. I wonder is this natural or because they have interbred with the field roses? Orchids spotted so far: Bee, Common Spotted and Twayblade.
Lately one of the squirrels has grown increasingly fat, she sits wide-legged and walks with a legs apart gait, she has also grown increasingly irritable with her mate, seeing him off with loud growls. When I first heard this sound I couldn't understand what it was or where it came from, but on watching from the open kitchen window I saw it was a squirrel. Each time her mate approached either her or the food she became aggressive--- growling and chasing him away, this is the first time I have heard a squirrel growling.
For two or three days I didn't notice her at all, then today she was back, patiently waiting on the windowsill. She snatched the food from my hand and sat back where she was to eat it. I put more beside her and shut the window. A jay flew down but lacked the courage to collect food while she sat by it. Her belly is no longer swollen --- indeed she looks so much thinner I hardly recognised her. I wonder how long it will be before we see her little ones.
Within the garden are large clumps of Geranium Phaeum or Morning Geraniums as they are commonly known, the flowers are small, dark and fairly insignificant, appearing one after the other up the stem. Now the flowers are all but finished and many people cut the untidy, straggly stems back to the neat mound of leaves beneath. However if this action is resisted the reward will be great as bullfinches will visit to enjoy the seeds. These are such attractive birds with their well defined and striking markings and a great addition to any garden.
The delicately pretty wild roses are festooning the hedgerows, both field roses ---white, and dog roses--- pink. I notice a great variation in the depth of colour of the dog roses, from palest pink to a really deep shade. I wonder is this natural or because they have interbred with the field roses? Orchids spotted so far: Bee, Common Spotted and Twayblade.
Lately one of the squirrels has grown increasingly fat, she sits wide-legged and walks with a legs apart gait, she has also grown increasingly irritable with her mate, seeing him off with loud growls. When I first heard this sound I couldn't understand what it was or where it came from, but on watching from the open kitchen window I saw it was a squirrel. Each time her mate approached either her or the food she became aggressive--- growling and chasing him away, this is the first time I have heard a squirrel growling.
For two or three days I didn't notice her at all, then today she was back, patiently waiting on the windowsill. She snatched the food from my hand and sat back where she was to eat it. I put more beside her and shut the window. A jay flew down but lacked the courage to collect food while she sat by it. Her belly is no longer swollen --- indeed she looks so much thinner I hardly recognised her. I wonder how long it will be before we see her little ones.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Return of the Ducks
The ducks are well and truly back, they arrived about a month ago, they are mating manically causing tidal waves in the pond, the once sparkling crystal clear water is now a dirty greenish brown colour. The fish which so delighted us a few weeks ago are now nowhere to be seen, having gone into hiding and the brief sighting of the newt with the beautiful orange underside is clearly not going to be repeated any time soon. The tadpoles that managed in their spawn state to survive the goldfish, will no doubt have been syphoned up by the ducks.
Mrs. Duck is now becoming increasingly hungry. Today at tea-time she ate a large handful of peanuts, two of mixed bird seed, a slice and a half of bread soaked in water and on her hurried way to the pond she rushed toward a squirrel at such a rate she caused him to start and drop the half a digestive biscuit he was eating, and then as if to add insult to injury she stopped, snatched it up in her beak and carried it with her to the pond!
It is with pleasure I note that a wren has made her home inside an ancient blue tit box, tied together with string and wedged into a fork in the pear tree. Nearby on a grass verge is growing a bee orchid, my delight in finding it was unbounded, fortunately I had my camera with me and could photograph it.
The garden has many delightful Orange Tip butterflies (Anthocharis Cardomines). Adults have wings that have white uppersides and green mottled undersides. It is the males that have the beautiful striking orange tip on their wing, while the females have a blackish grey tip. The caterpillars are found on cuckoo flowers, ladies smock, jack by the hedge and honesty, although for some reason survival on the honesty is limited.
I know some people catch and kill white butterflies thinking they are all 'cabbage whites' – this is not so, and these beautiful butterflies need to be enjoyed, as the females although white will do no harm to your cabbages, etc., but being female are vital for the breeding of the next generation. To witness male orange tips and their all white partners dancing daintily through the air is a sight to lift the spirits.
Mrs. Duck is now becoming increasingly hungry. Today at tea-time she ate a large handful of peanuts, two of mixed bird seed, a slice and a half of bread soaked in water and on her hurried way to the pond she rushed toward a squirrel at such a rate she caused him to start and drop the half a digestive biscuit he was eating, and then as if to add insult to injury she stopped, snatched it up in her beak and carried it with her to the pond!
It is with pleasure I note that a wren has made her home inside an ancient blue tit box, tied together with string and wedged into a fork in the pear tree. Nearby on a grass verge is growing a bee orchid, my delight in finding it was unbounded, fortunately I had my camera with me and could photograph it.
The garden has many delightful Orange Tip butterflies (Anthocharis Cardomines). Adults have wings that have white uppersides and green mottled undersides. It is the males that have the beautiful striking orange tip on their wing, while the females have a blackish grey tip. The caterpillars are found on cuckoo flowers, ladies smock, jack by the hedge and honesty, although for some reason survival on the honesty is limited.
I know some people catch and kill white butterflies thinking they are all 'cabbage whites' – this is not so, and these beautiful butterflies need to be enjoyed, as the females although white will do no harm to your cabbages, etc., but being female are vital for the breeding of the next generation. To witness male orange tips and their all white partners dancing daintily through the air is a sight to lift the spirits.
Monday, 20 April 2009
A Trail of Breadcrumbs
Spring is truly here at last. The garden is magnificent, although the majority of daffodils have faded, the bluebells and honesty have taken over from them. The real joy of the garden is the beautifully blossoming trees: magnolias, camelias, and rhododendrons are wonderful, but when you add the fruit trees: apple, plum, cherry, crab apple and pear, then the sight is breathtaking. Incidentally, the tiny red fruit from the crab apple which weigh the branches down so low they touch the ground (one year we lost a third of the tree due to the excessive fruit breaking branches) are shared with the birds and squirrels. Our share we turn into crab apple liqueur, a warming drink on a cold day or a cheering one at the end of a busy one. More and more butterflies fill the air. Yesterday I saw many orange tips and a small blue. I'm pleased to report the garden is also alive with the sight and sound of bees. The fish are very active and the croaking of frogs makes a pleasant background sound. Short tailed field voles are also more active now that the weather has warmed up.Here is a puzzle, like many people we leave windows open during the day when we are in, sometimes a squirrel or robin will venture into the kitchen and help themselves to food. The conservatory is also a favourite place for interlopers, however yesterday in the early evening I went to close the bathroom window, as I did so I noticed a small pile of bread on the windowsill (interesting because the only creature we give bread to is the fox). Next to it, on the windowsill, were a few drops of urine. I cleared them up, washed my hands, and as I left the bathroom I noticed in the bath lay an 8" long twig. Was something, probably a squirrel, planning to move in with us, I wondered? Today I kept the window pulled to.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Sunny Spring Days
Today is really warm; the garden is filled with spring flowers including hundreds of daffodils. Birds are already collecting nesting materials --watch out for tiny long-tailed tits as they search for cobwebs round the edges of windows. I have already seen both dunnocks and pigeons mating and watched robins busy with their courting ritual, note how much brighter birds colouring is now the mating season is here. Last autumn I added another three nesting boxes to the trees and bushes in the garden.
The woodpile dropped considerably during last winter, so we are topping it up from a reserve pile, which I noticed this morning appears to have blackbirds nesting in it already, I have decided to plant an evergreen clematis to grow over it, to flower at a different time to the everlasting sweetpea, clematis and honeysuckle already there. Woodpiles are invaluable in wildlife gardens as they not only give winter shelter to small creatures such as toads, hedgehogs and hibernating butterflies, but also provide a much needed breeding ground for insects. These sunny days are bringing out the bees and butterflies, so far: Whites, a beautiful Brimstone and a solitary Red Admiral -- was this a little early for the latter I wondered? This week I also heard the first frog croaking in the pond.
The pheasants continue to visit us for extra sustenance as do the garden birds, although I have noticed more territorial squabbles amongst the robins and blackbirds of late. I shall continue to feed the creatures that visit the garden, even though winter is coming to an end, as they expend a tremendous amount of energy in nest building, egg laying and chick rearing.
The woodpile dropped considerably during last winter, so we are topping it up from a reserve pile, which I noticed this morning appears to have blackbirds nesting in it already, I have decided to plant an evergreen clematis to grow over it, to flower at a different time to the everlasting sweetpea, clematis and honeysuckle already there. Woodpiles are invaluable in wildlife gardens as they not only give winter shelter to small creatures such as toads, hedgehogs and hibernating butterflies, but also provide a much needed breeding ground for insects. These sunny days are bringing out the bees and butterflies, so far: Whites, a beautiful Brimstone and a solitary Red Admiral -- was this a little early for the latter I wondered? This week I also heard the first frog croaking in the pond.
The pheasants continue to visit us for extra sustenance as do the garden birds, although I have noticed more territorial squabbles amongst the robins and blackbirds of late. I shall continue to feed the creatures that visit the garden, even though winter is coming to an end, as they expend a tremendous amount of energy in nest building, egg laying and chick rearing.
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Heron Observations
I spent a happy half hour today watching a beautiful grey heron, for such a large bird he was so delicate in his movements. He was between the field edge and the flood water, he crept stealthily back and forth, lifting each foot in turn and bringing it slowly forward before carefully placing it in position. At times he craned forward, his neck stretched out over the water; occasionally he gently dipped into the water, shaking the drops from himself afterwards. At other times he turned his attention to the mud at the water's edge and thrust his long orange beak deep. Was he looking for worms or beetles I wondered? There were times when he stood stock still as if listening, his neck stretched as far as possible, his bill pointed upwards. His height at this point would have been about 90cm. I know herons eat fish and frogs but don't know what else. I shall have to look it up...
I did! It also eats insects, water voles and sometimes other water birds, usually young ones. I even heard tell once of one eating a young rabbit, this is only hearsay though so I don't know whether or not this is true.
I did! It also eats insects, water voles and sometimes other water birds, usually young ones. I even heard tell once of one eating a young rabbit, this is only hearsay though so I don't know whether or not this is true.
Monday, 1 September 2008
Autumn and Foxes
There is an autumnal feel to the air. Bird song is much less. In fact, the robin is often the only bird to be heard during the day. He sings a thin, lonely song far removed from the robust singing of spring.
Beautiful shiny brown conkers are waiting to be collected and admired indoors for a few weeks before being put outside for the squirrels to bury and feast upon. Delicious blackberries are waiting to be gathered from the hedgerows. More will be eaten instantly than ever get home. Stained fingers reach eagerly for the next one – why do the best ones always grow out of reach? I love the leaves of blackberry plants, at this time of year, with their beautiful colours. How often we find delicate flowers still blooming, and the cobwebs hung on the plants still bespeckled with dew. These are, for me, the real treasures of life, apart from family and friends, of course.
After our disappointment earlier this year, when we lost the broods of pheasant chicks, both due to natural phenomena, imagine our surprise a few days ago when one of the female pheasants turned up looking for food with yet another baby in tow. It’s only one chick, but we were still delighted. Was it the only one to hatch? Or had she already lost all the others? We don’t know, but we were pleased to welcome this tiny new chick to our garden and hope it will grow strong and live long.
The foxes have always been welcome and in past years we have often had two – always they have been comfortable in each other’s company, and have given us much pleasure. This year, however, for the past few weeks we have been entertained by three foxes. Two of them will feed together fairly easily with one being dominant and the other submissive; she crawls on her belly and moving quickly away if turned on. Now with a third fox involved the behavior has changed. There is a lot more aggression shown. Mostly they chase each other, or quickly turn and end up pinning another fox on the ground inflicting sharp nips. In spite of this, the foxes are high spirited and always return to feed. Just occasionally full fights will erupt. They start fighting on hind legs and then end up rolling around on the ground. From the squeals and screams it is clear they are hurting each other. These fights are clearly to establish dominance. The smaller, darker submissive fox never takes part in these conflicts and is very quick to run and hide in the bushes if turned upon – maybe this one is a female, but it appears that one of the aggressive dominant ones is also a female. Interestingly, while the foxes fight with each other, the hedgehog remains calmly eating his share of the food while all this takes place around him,
Beautiful shiny brown conkers are waiting to be collected and admired indoors for a few weeks before being put outside for the squirrels to bury and feast upon. Delicious blackberries are waiting to be gathered from the hedgerows. More will be eaten instantly than ever get home. Stained fingers reach eagerly for the next one – why do the best ones always grow out of reach? I love the leaves of blackberry plants, at this time of year, with their beautiful colours. How often we find delicate flowers still blooming, and the cobwebs hung on the plants still bespeckled with dew. These are, for me, the real treasures of life, apart from family and friends, of course.
After our disappointment earlier this year, when we lost the broods of pheasant chicks, both due to natural phenomena, imagine our surprise a few days ago when one of the female pheasants turned up looking for food with yet another baby in tow. It’s only one chick, but we were still delighted. Was it the only one to hatch? Or had she already lost all the others? We don’t know, but we were pleased to welcome this tiny new chick to our garden and hope it will grow strong and live long.
The foxes have always been welcome and in past years we have often had two – always they have been comfortable in each other’s company, and have given us much pleasure. This year, however, for the past few weeks we have been entertained by three foxes. Two of them will feed together fairly easily with one being dominant and the other submissive; she crawls on her belly and moving quickly away if turned on. Now with a third fox involved the behavior has changed. There is a lot more aggression shown. Mostly they chase each other, or quickly turn and end up pinning another fox on the ground inflicting sharp nips. In spite of this, the foxes are high spirited and always return to feed. Just occasionally full fights will erupt. They start fighting on hind legs and then end up rolling around on the ground. From the squeals and screams it is clear they are hurting each other. These fights are clearly to establish dominance. The smaller, darker submissive fox never takes part in these conflicts and is very quick to run and hide in the bushes if turned upon – maybe this one is a female, but it appears that one of the aggressive dominant ones is also a female. Interestingly, while the foxes fight with each other, the hedgehog remains calmly eating his share of the food while all this takes place around him,
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Birds of my Garden
The garden is very lush at the moment and filled with flowers and their perfume is such a pleasure. Today is cool and overcast. It’s 12:35pm and already we have had visits from blackbirds, thrushes, dunnocks, blue, great, cole and long-tailed tits, robins, starlings, magpies, pigeons, wrens, bull, gold and chaffinches, one of our two pairs of mallards, and then, to my joy, the white duck flew in. By the time I had reached the kitchen window to feed her she was already underneath, head held high, beak reaching eagerly upward. Satiated she hastened to the pond for a good wash and then was off. We hadn’t seen our white friend for a few weeks, so we were particularly pleased to see her today.
My pleasure knew almost no bounds when a few minutes later a brown female mallard appeared at the patio door asking for food. On going to feed her I opened the kitchen window and to my delight found a female pheasant with her babies standing waiting to be fed. The babies were so tiny – the smallest pheasant chicks we have ever seen and not able to hurry without falling over their own feet. They must have been very recently born.
People often find it strange that I feed magpies, jackdaws and crows, but they need to eat and feed their young, and by providing food for them I hope they will not raid as many nests. Having said that they have raided both blackbird and thrush nests in the garden already this year. Although I must admit the sight of magpies in their fine attire, proudly strutting across the lawn as if they own it always makes me smile.
I am glad to report that both the thrush and blackbird have subsequently successfully bred. For those of you wondering about the 12 ducklings in our garden last month, the news is not good. The mortality rate is high and sadly all these ducklings were victims of predators. Their numbers lessened each time we saw them, and the same happened to the pheasant chicks; survival for these creatures is very difficult. Ducklings on the river are again very few this year.
This year we have seen some surprising sights. We have watched a magpie and a crow picking off ducklings and a mother duck fight with a crow – even though she had no young she flew across the lawn and attacked it. We also watched a magpie repeatedly attack a young rat, eventually picking it up and flying off with it. The young rat was very strong and put up a good fight before succumbing – it was still struggling when carried off. (Please note: we do not usually have rats in the garden, but living near the river, we do get the odd one passing through occasionally.
My pleasure knew almost no bounds when a few minutes later a brown female mallard appeared at the patio door asking for food. On going to feed her I opened the kitchen window and to my delight found a female pheasant with her babies standing waiting to be fed. The babies were so tiny – the smallest pheasant chicks we have ever seen and not able to hurry without falling over their own feet. They must have been very recently born.
People often find it strange that I feed magpies, jackdaws and crows, but they need to eat and feed their young, and by providing food for them I hope they will not raid as many nests. Having said that they have raided both blackbird and thrush nests in the garden already this year. Although I must admit the sight of magpies in their fine attire, proudly strutting across the lawn as if they own it always makes me smile.
I am glad to report that both the thrush and blackbird have subsequently successfully bred. For those of you wondering about the 12 ducklings in our garden last month, the news is not good. The mortality rate is high and sadly all these ducklings were victims of predators. Their numbers lessened each time we saw them, and the same happened to the pheasant chicks; survival for these creatures is very difficult. Ducklings on the river are again very few this year.
This year we have seen some surprising sights. We have watched a magpie and a crow picking off ducklings and a mother duck fight with a crow – even though she had no young she flew across the lawn and attacked it. We also watched a magpie repeatedly attack a young rat, eventually picking it up and flying off with it. The young rat was very strong and put up a good fight before succumbing – it was still struggling when carried off. (Please note: we do not usually have rats in the garden, but living near the river, we do get the odd one passing through occasionally.
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