09-11-2024 · This area, just outside the house, is where we see most wildlife activity. While sitting in the dining-room we glance outside frequently, to see numerous birds from wrens to wood-pigeons hurrying about, maybe the large rat with a limp scurrying out from under the decking to snatch some spillage from a bird feeder, or a kestrel hunting over the field. Occasionally there will be a mini-drama—often a sparrowhawk swooping past in an attempt to catch its meal. Today I glanced out just in time to see a stoat try to climb the seed-feeder pole, slipping back down and disappearing in the long grass, just as limping rat ran out to the same spot under the pole. I saw a little of the ensuing tussle before rat and stoat disappeared. Soon after I noticed a young rat perched motionless on the top of the pole, evidently frightened to get down. A while later the stoat came briefly into view as it ran down towards the orchard, its gait suggesting it was carrying something. Poor rats!

12-08-2024 · We took part in the Devon Wildlife Trust Bat Survey, with the bat recorder set-up against a tree close to the brook. Below is a summary of the results (including numerous Bush Crickets):-

22-07-2024 · After finding numerous hedgehog droppings around the meadow we've caught the hedgehog gleaning under the bird seed feeders.

25-06-2024 · On the hottest day of the year so far I walked around the meadow in the afternoon to see what butterflies were visible: the answer was "none", but I spied this little bird flumped out high-up on an Ash branch. A young Chiff-chaff (Phylloscopus collybita)? A few seconds later it flew off.

29-05-2024 · For the first time, orchids have appeared in several places near the house. It seems to have been a good year for the Southern Marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) around here.

17-05-2024 · A Grass Snake (Natrix helvetica) found under a piece of pond-liner draped over the grass dump—the longest one I've seen. Short half-speed video of the snake hurrying away. (opens in a popup or separate tab/window)

12-05-2024 · A young Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly (Libellula depressa), looking like part of the fern it landed on.

12-05-2024 · Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) singing atop a weeping birch. Short video of the greenfinch. (opens in a popup or separate tab/window).

09-05-2024 · The far bottom corner of the meadow, close to the brook. The grass growth here is always fast and thick, making it hard for many wildflower species to thrive, though buttercup (Ranunculus sp.) copes well enough. Short video scanning across from here, with different birdsong. (opens in a popup or separate tab/window).

09-05-2024 · The far bottom corner of the meadow, close to the brook. The grass growth here is always fast and thick, making it hard for many wildflower species to thrive, though buttercup (Ranunculus sp.) copes well enough. Short video scanning across from here, with birdsong. (opens in a popup or separate tab/window).

22-04-2024 · Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) showing unexpectedly amongst a large area of nettles and hogweed.

02-02-2024 · This huge branch split off at the base of the Ash tree (Faxinus excelsior) some months ago, landing in a corner where it can be left to decay slowly away. As the main trunk is now split down to the ground we shall pollard it so that when it falls it won't reach the brook.