Monday, 31 May 2010
Wildlife in May
More Exploring and a picture for Simon.
As we walk down the road from the village, the woods we are aiming for are just a field away, on the left of the road here.
As we get into the woods, the bluebells appear. In this younger area of the wood, they really were at their best.
At the far end of the woods we emerged onto the crags, which can be seen clearly from the road. The view stretches south over the fells
Back into the woods and some areas are abundant with Ferns, just coming into full leaf.
There is plenty of wildlife in this wood. A pair of buzzards flew into their nest above our heads, we came across two different woodpecker nests, both with young chirping away inside the tree. On one occasion, both Mum and Dad were in very close proximity. We saw a hare loping off ahead of us, and, rarely caught on camera (by me anyway) a Roe Deer peeped at us from around a tree before dashing off. You'll need to double click to see her.
Friday, 28 May 2010
Last Few Days
Ollie had got used to being fed through the fence, so, as he is soon to be weaned, we thought we might as well carry on till then. The only snag is, every time we walk into the garden, a loud bleating, followed by the thundering of little feet, and Ollie is trying to push his way through the fence.
Only a few more days of milk to go...........
He's quite partial to his creep, but I think we may have a disturbed night or two next week!
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Baby Birds
We made another discovery on our walk. We could here an awful lot of squwalking coming from the tree tops. We wondered if it was rooks, but it just didn't sound quite right. Following the noise, we came across what we believe to be a Buzzards nest
I apologise for the camera shake on this next photo, but double click and look at the centre of the nest..........
The gape of two youngsters waiting to be fed.
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Bluebells and Runner Beans and A Happy 6th Mensiversary!
In previous years we would have been heading up this way in a fortnights time, for our summer stay at Foulsyke http://www.crummockwatercottages.co.uk/. By then the Bluebells in Rannerdale Valley are normally over. But we're not on holiday now, we live here (As I keep reminding myself with a big grin), so we can go and visit Rannerdale whenever we like.
We chose to do a walk we have done before on a number of occasions, but in the opposite direction to normal - which meant we went away from all the 'half a mile from the car' brigade. The majority of the Bluebells were saved until the latter part of the walk.
Husband walks through the Bluebells with Melbreak standing proud the otherside of Crummock water.
Looking back up the path you can see the valley is a carpet of blue.
On both sides of the valley.
Getting home in good time gave us chance to get on with one or two jobs in the garden. The runner beans were beginning to outgrow the coldframe, so they have been planted out tonight. Fingers crossed that we don't get any more frosts.
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Dates of Note
As this blog has developed into a record of birds and wildlife seen in and around the garden, I thought it would also be a good place to record when things happen that we use as indicators of the season.
On this occasion this will be another list, although my intention is to just record things as they happen in future, but I have a little catching up to do.
First Snow - 20th Dec 2009
Frogspawn found on fells - 16th March 2010
First Daff out in garden 6th April 2010
First Swallow - 12th April 2010
Lunch Outside - 14th April 2010
Plant up Veggie plot - 17th April 2010
House Martins arrive - 19th April 2010
First Swifts - 23rd April 2010
Heard Cuckoo - 22nd April 2010
Snow Fall (Fells) - 10th May 2010
First BBQ - 20th May 2010
The Last Summer Visitors and Other Things!
Would you be surprised if, after reading all that little lot, I told you there is still snow on Cross Fell? That's 2091 ft and just seen here to the right of the trees.
The view of the Pennines from the house is a bit obscured now that the trees are in full leaf!
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Baby Blackbirds
Baby Sitting
Farming friends in the village are away for a long weekend, and I have offered to look after their two labs, Treacle and Muffin. They are really biddable, and stay up at the farm, so they are no trouble. Last time I looked after them, I was also feeding a pet lamb. This time, the lamb has come to stay with us - well nearly. He is nearly weaned - just two bottles a day and some creep feed. So it seemed easier to have him in the field with his mates, where I can feed him through the fence.
Along with that little menagerie, we also have a house guest for the weekend. Buddy. Another lab, who normally lives opposite, but his owners are in Ireland for the weekend.
Buddy has been spending quite a bit of time in the garden, enjoying the glorious weather. Ollie the Orphan has been spending quite a bit of time at the fence, looking for the next bottle. Ollie seems to think Buddy might be his Mum.
Ollie has a nibble on his creep, while Buddy looks on
Ollie and his pals (O for Ollie)
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
A Very Sad Discovery.
On a brighter note, we have new house guests. The House Martins have returned.
Last years nests came down in the really cold snowy weather in January, so they are having to do a spot of DIY.
And just to show that there are still some red visitors that Boy Racers haven't destroyed, one of our frequent visitors seems to be getting brighter and brighter. Male Lesser Red Poll, seen here on the right.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Carrock Fell on a Lovely Day
Parking at Calebreck, we head off towards Carrock Fell, seen ahead of Husband here.
A few clouds bubbled up as the day progressed, but never enough to spoil a lovely day. The High Fell on the horizon here is Skiddaw. And again, below zooming in on Skiddaw. Little Man to the left of the picture.
After a pint at a one of our locals, it was home to find an invitation to a neighbours for the first BBQ of the season. How's that for a good day!
Monday, 17 May 2010
Great Mell Fell
Great Mell Fell belies it's name. It's really only quite Small at about 1750ft. But, when you have hardly walked further than the garden gate for eight weeks, then a little local fell seems appropriate.
Despite it's small stature, Great Mell Fell gets it's fair share of the wind by the look of the trees.
Not today though, it was glorious sunshine all the way.
Views in all directions. This is Helvellyn with patches of snow on.
Further round the views are just as impressive
Nearly back at the car we pass by Brownrigg farm, with it's curious windows. Seven windows, each one on a different level?
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Hen Party
Friday, 14 May 2010
Game Birds
We realised today, that we have two different Cock Pheasants visiting. We only see them one at a time, and the second one may well be a fairly new visitor. But we had a mass visitation tonight from our four resident game birds. Mr and Mrs P (the regular pheasants) and the Partridge Family. All four in the garden together, for quite a considerable amount of time. Try as I might, I COULD NOT get a picture with all four of them in it. So instead here is a flavour of their visit.
A handsome Frenchman
An Equally Handsome Mr P, with The Frenchman's wife behind him.
And Mr and Mrs P checking out the bamboo.
Apologies for the quality of the pics, as usual they are through glass, and the evening sun was reflecting in it!
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
More Exploring
This leads to all kinds of surprises. Views suddenly appear through the tree tops as you rise to higher ground
Evidence of wildlife is abundant. As we stood admiring these nest holes, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew out of the bottom one.
An interesting fact on tree holes. Did you know they are home to seven different species of bird?
Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Great Tit, Wryneck, Starling, Stock Dove and Little Owl.
Another interesting find - unless of course you are squeamish! The skull (or at least part) of a fox. We think this one must have died of starvation as he doesn't seem to have any front teeth!
After all that excitement, it's back home to an afternoon catching up with the list of jobs, which never seem to get finished here.Monday, 10 May 2010
Ne'er Shed a Clout
Blencathra always looks magnificent, but even more so with a dusting of snow.
The pennines too were clothed in white. But then Cross Fell has had snow on it constantly since before Christmas. So nothing new there!
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Exploring
Starting down at the village, we head up the Castle drive
The track we wanted then skirts to the right of the castle, past the stables and farm
Up over the Gallops, through some lovely old parkland and over the hill.
Now that looks like a nice place to live!
Wild flowers were abundant, with blue bells just beginning to appear in the most sheltered spot. This is somewhere in need of a repeat visit in a week or two!
Friday, 7 May 2010
A Momentous Day
The fabric has been here waiting since the the end of January, but finally I have had a run of a few clear days, when I can take over the kitchen table, sitting room floor and spare bedroom, in order to make them without having to clear everything away in between!
On the wildlife front, Husband spotted a Roe Deer in the fields behind the house yesterday and the birds just keep getting better and better. Our Red Poll has now turned into two females and one male, who are currently visiting regularly, and today we have had a series of visits from a little bird previously mentioned - but only just confirmed.....
A Tree Sparrow! In fact at one point today we had two.
Now it really feels like we are achieving something in the garden.