 |
| 'Sea Thrift Greeting' |
We’re still in - Thursday 2nd June - Haven’t seen anymore of our friend ‘Narcissus’ today, he now has a lady friend and is too busy I guess ..... he may return ?
 |
| 'Narcissus' |
Himself had taken Our Son to our friends Woodland, as they had kindly invited him to stay for the day and wouldn’t arrive back till ‘tea time’, he’ll enjoy the Woodland life of other children, as everyone has a different way of doing things.
1.30 p.m in the afternoon and it’s ‘Scorching ‘HOT’ in the Woodland, a glorious day ! Arrive in the car and Himself tells me that a ‘Vixen Fox’ nonchalantly walked in front of the car very early this morning. Looked right at him, then carried on it’s business. She had a long streamline body and was probably searching for a quick meal.
Link to the Fox : http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Red_Fox
Whilst sat down and taking all this beautiful moment in, two ‘Red Admirals’ butterflied past , they seemed to be chasing each other – then ‘Dancing’ in a beautiful arrangement of movements high up in the Air !
Link: Red Admiral > http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/Butterfly/32/Butterfly.html?ButterflyId=43
Friday 3rd June - The feel of ‘Summer’ for the first time and it smells good !
I’d packed a Picnic lunch to enjoy within our beautiful Woodland and do a few chores too. Sat down after clearing some of the ‘Nettles’ over hanging around the Gate to the Vegetable patch and along a pathway , then noticed they were giving off a ‘Smoky’ substance. The males were releasing their ‘Pollen’ to self-pollinate, never seen this happening in the ‘Real’, before!
Returned home at around 4.22 p.m to prepare for ‘yet’ another visit to the Beach ! We called into Town and bought a few goodies to eat, like sweets and chocolates.
My Son and I had decided to Wear our Swim gear because we knew we’d like to take that Dip again ! We grabbed all the equipment out of the car, after Parking sensibly, locked-up and hurried along the grassy estruary but our Son had said aloud “Wait” “am digging this stone up” and sure enough a bit of a ‘Gem’ , so I waited for him. It was an almost square ‘quartz’. , one more to Add to his ‘many’ collections !
As we crossed the ‘Stepping Stones’ a couple of Ladies were sat comfortably in their brightly coloured Deck chairs, reading, with a flask of, probably Tea beside each one. “They and we politely exchanged hellos and smiles”. We settled our gear down on the Sand next to a group of rather large logs arranged in a circle., obviously for a party of people to sit and chatter a while or sing songs around with the bonus of a warm campfire.
The two of us, hoping to take a Dip in the Sea, walked around to the Safe Swimming Zone , then placed our Towel etc. on the sand, quite a way infront of the trickle of waves but it wasn’t long before I had to remove them further back, as the Tide was Running in fast. The Sea Water was warm in the shallows but the deeper we ventured, the cooler it seemed – we didn’t stop long but did do the frantic running in and out thingy , splashing each other , as you do when having fun !
Started walking back to where Himself was and the Breeze had turned into a much more aggressive strength - this whisked-up the Sand, which meant because we were wet, were ‘SandBlasted’ ! The Air was beginning to Chill and everything was being covered in Sand by this time. The only one oblivious to the Sand blowing, was our Son in a deep hole that he’d dug! He had taken a Plastic bedroom Bin , and made large ‘Sand Castles’ around the top surface, which didn’t stay- up for long because of the strong wind. “Suppose the size of bucket grows with their Age “ ! "Sincerely hope he doesn't take a Dust bin along, when he's my height " he's not far off !
By now I was sat down on a large log and was taking in all the surroundings, the ‘Sand Martins’ were flying in an acrobatic formation, simply beautiful., a group of ‘Canada Geese’ were making quite a noise across the water , waited, for the last straggler, in the safe water stream - then flew off further along the estuary.
We arrived home having enjoyed the whole experience !
 |
| Geese |
Saturday 4th June - Hot Again !
Three or four ‘House Martins’ were sat preening themselves on the telegraph wire just where ‘Narcissus’ had sat. Their colours were amazing up close !
Link for Canada Geese: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/3023.shtml
It’s such a good day I’ve decided to wear my shorts and swim top, more comfortable in ‘Hot’ weather.
BACK HOME
The Bird House is covered in Sparrows, those that can’t get to the seeds are hanging on all around the edge and on top of roof, “Bird House Cluster” quite a sight !
We required another bag of ‘Layers pellets’ for the Hens, also ‘Bird Seed’ so my Son and I took off in the car, then reaching a not so far away point from home discussed that we should have taken our Swimming gear, so about-turn towards home and did so. Bought the necessary Animal Feeds and drove to the Swimming Pool with big smiles stretched across our Faces. We felt the need for some exercise and this was it ! A good hours swim and off to the local Cafe for lunch, just Fab !
Early afternoon Wood Visit - A widespread ground covering of ‘Wild Strawberries’ were red and ready to eat and So very sweet – lush ! But the ones in the Tyre were not ready, perhaps required more Water .
 |
| Wild Strawberries |
Himself had gone into one of the Hen Houses to see if any of our ladies had laid but the only thing he came out with was a ‘crawling mass’ of ‘Mites’ ! Desperately trying to get them off with ‘Wipes’, a ‘Doc leaf’, Nothing would work , – just hurry on home and take a hot bath. His clothes were crawling with them !
 |
| Purple Woundwort |
Sunday 5th June - Early morning stroll around the garden and noticed three different types of ‘Bees’ buzzing from one ‘Purple Woundwort’ to another with a kind of rhythmic ‘Buzz’ sound ! “The Rhythm of Life” . The tall ‘Purple Woundwort’ were cavorting (French dance) at the side of the Pond, caused by the breeze and their reflection in the water was smudged out by the many ripples.
We’re now in the Woodland watering the Salad Crops with ordinary ‘Tap’ water to be on the safe side, don’t want any lurgy tummy bugs.
Been for a walk with our Son to the Top Field and it’s extremely ‘ Hot’ so we didn’t stay long. Then wend our way back through the shadowy trees for shelter. A ‘Grey Squirrel’ had crossed a pathway, his cover was blown and he quickly jumped into the lower crook of an Oak Tree, he was looking right at me and must have decided this is too intense , so with a scamper up and over to another Tree disappeared.
Link > http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Eastern_gray_squirrel
 |
| Mr Squirrel is in the middle of this picture ! |
On the way back to camp could smell a rather strong smell of Fox ‘Spraint’ ! urgh ! “They do tend to make themselves known.”
Monday 6th June - A Grey Misty Sky today so we’re busy doing things ‘Outside’ as it’s ‘Cooler’.
“Still No ‘Narcissus’ !
 |
| Siskin |
8.40 a.m Went to carry our hot drinks to the table and peered outside to ‘Four’ Beauties clung on tight to our Nut container, ‘Gt. Tit Fledglings’ they seemed quite a size – the parents were on the Green Shed Roof explaining the ‘Facts of Awareness ‘ to them (no doubt.) I slowly and carefully opened the back door with the hope of a picture but they all flew back to the Shed Roof.
All lined up patiently waiting for the disruptive human and dog to leave, so they could continue their breakfast. They appeared to be wearing Yellow and Black as their Adult colours were not truly developed, at first glance I thought they were ‘Siskins’ - whom I have not seen yet !
The garden is now full of ‘Jackdaws’ munching the seeds that I dropped from reloading the feeder, can’t see the ‘Gt.Tit’ Fledglings coming back yet !
They did return and managed to get some kind of a picture.
Tuesday 7th June - An absolute ‘Downpour of Rain’ the Gardens/Woodlands Vegetable plot are still very thirsty as this is the ‘Best’ Rain we’ve seen in ages.
Peered out through our bedroom curtains to see if ‘Narcissus’ had arrived with his lovely friend, but No !
A male ‘Bullfinch’ sat himself comfortably on our garden chair back, having a scan as to whatever was surrounding the area. Then a large male ‘Sparrow’ bullied a ‘Gt.Tit’ Fledgling off
the Nut Container and flew over to where the ‘Bullfinch’ had perched - watching patiently for his turn.
2.30 p.m And ‘Narcissus’ was hanging around on the Telegraph Wire but on his own.
WORLD OCEANS DAY
10 Things you can do to Save the Ocean:
Wednesday 8th June - Today it’s heavy Rain but No worries we desperately need it !
The ‘Jackdaw’ family have taken over the Seed and Nut supplies put out for the smaller species, they just don’t seem to be getting a look-in ! Will have to change the Feeders !
It’s early evening - Packing our equipment into our little Car and tootled-off to town to buy some cheese n onion pies with some orange pop to enjoy at the Beach of #WorldOceansDay Clearing all it’s Rubbish washed up or just left behind by a non-caring person, or could have just blown away by mistake (it happens.)
We scooped-up our Son’s Friend to join in the fun , as we had to pass his way and would give them both an insight as to what happens in the Real World.
Himself, my ‘Mighty Hero’ hauled two loads back to the car so that we could dispose of it carefully. There seemed to be a huge quantity of ‘Plastic’ but in tiny pieces (just as I’d seen on a video.) The tiny pieces are the ones that can have dramatic effects on ‘Wildlife’ , it can get into their stomachs and cause all sorts of problems – including the inevitable !
 |
| Rubbish just left ! |
Some Netting just discarded and left !
 |
| Fishing line ! |
Thursday 9th June - And it’s a lovely fresh start to the day with all the Garden Birds living it up in and amongst our Hedges, Trees , Shrubs and Tree House, we seem to have let them, kind of, ‘take-over’ and ‘why not’. The ‘Bullfinch’ Male stands out from the rest with his colour of flaming red, he is quite a prominent character.
Woodland visit - The Banking within our Woodland has evidence of new Badger digging, perhaps youngsters having to move on and were using it as a ‘Stop n Poo’ area !
 |
| 1st Female Pheasant |
Just arrived in the Woodland Camp and Mrs. Pheasant ran like a ‘ brown Feathered Dart’ frantically eating, then drinking, then darting back for more food, ah! Running like a ‘Mad Bird’ dashing off to where possibly she may have laid ‘Eggs’. “Oh ! I hope so, how sweet that would be to have their little ‘family of pheasants’ in Our Wood.” I sincerely hope the Cat doesn’t seek them out !
 |
| 2nd Female Pheasant |
Friday 10th June - Woke to find outside Very Wet but we do need our Water as Rivers are extremely low around here and the Fish will die if not enough !
Saturday 11th June arrives with a cloudy but blue sky, so it’s good to be outside. Food shopping first then drifted off to our Woodland.
I think we can call them the ‘Narcissus’ couple, have been busying themselves to stop and take that peek into their favourite window upstairs, Winging it on the telegraph Wire. Then doing ‘bobbing’ motion flying across to a field where the ‘Bullocks’ were grazing, to forage for that tasty morsel in and amongst the long grasses, then taking that ‘gritting’ session in our driveway once again.
My Son and I are taking a walk around the Woodland, he finds a disused ‘Birds Nest’ which had fallen to the ground from a ‘Pine Tree’. We’re stood looking across the ‘Farmer’s’ field of ‘Wheat’ swaying in the gentle breeze and am guessing that all manner of Species are having some fun within this field before it’s cut down and collected.
Crossing the ‘Top Field’, where it’s always ‘Hot’ and the Horse was having a slow saunter with nibbling in between.
A loud sound of ‘Grasshoppers’ took over the ‘Birds melodies’, so my Son managed to catch a ‘Male’, quite friendly too - he sat still a few moments, whilst I took his picture.
Around 3 p.mish and both ‘Female’ Pheasants arrived, one flew over the bottom paddock fence and with quick frantic movements , ate, drank, dirt bath, ate, drank, dirt bath two or three times whilst the ‘Male’ Pheasant was assuring his ‘Bond’ with her. Then the second ‘Female’ arrived showing the same urgency of ‘Brown Feathered Darting’ from food, to drink and so on, many times before Dashing off to where she had laid her ‘Eggs’. We did notice that both ‘Females’ had lost some weight, ‘the lean’ look ! Their ‘Eggs’ can take up to 26 - 28 Days to hatch, whereas the Hens take 21 days.
Neither of the two mothers will dare bring their ‘Chicks’ into the Camp area as they know full well there is a Cat roaming. Link: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/pheasant/
One of ‘Bill’s ‘ ladies decided to Cool down by turning on her side with a wing stuck-out and with a rolling motion on the cold concrete step into the stable.
Arrived home to see that ‘Narcissus & Co’ had been marauding the front hedge and garden area to collect their speciality food catch, then a bit of gritting along the way to help it all go down, from the driveway.
We’d found an Old Bird Cage to put the ‘Nut Container’ within to stop the ‘Corvids’ from stealing the small Bird’s Food, now the ‘Jackdaws’ were given their food from the top of the high hedge., so they needn’t think that they're being left out ! As soon as the ‘Bird Feeder’ was hung up and we’d gone indoors, the ‘Jackdaws flew and clung themselves tight with their claws but found it impossible to reach the Food, they did have three goes at it, Success ! “I do believe that the ‘Corvids’ have their Very Own ‘GrapeVine’ as NOT one turned up, during the rest of the day."
Sunday 12th - A day of notorious Weather changes occurring, it’s turning the leaves upsidedown and blowing so strong a wind, even the Birds aren’t venturing out , only the desperate ! - 1c in the night, it was unusually Cold !
‘Narcissus’ had flown by looking in at me eating my Toast, downstairs. Perhaps he fancied a slice. Maybe the strong wind had carried him out of control ? He was later seen ‘Beak shopping' within the front garden area again, turning his head to decide which feast to choose. A little birds Shopping spree ! On the Nature’s view, ‘Narcissus’ was focused on the mornings collection of juicy feasts, using the excellent vision and hearing he was given , trod the ground carefully - walking around the small plants bedded amongst a good Soil with that precision catch.
No comments:
Post a Comment