Wildlife in June

Lots of activity in the garden this month with Squirrel visits and birds galore. Most adorable bird award this month has to go to a fledgling Willow Warbler (sorry no photos) who has put in a few appearances towards the end of the month.

A Grey Invasion

Another morning with me wool winding and man handling Mules while Husband was left with all the jobs at home. The afternoon was intended to be housework and cooking. We never mind being interrupted by nature, and this lovely Grey Wagtail was a very welcome distraction.

Less welcome was a visit from our Local Red Squirrel 'coordinator'. A while ago we had offered him our help should the need arise, to check traps locally in the fight against the Grey Squirrel Invasion. This morning he had seen a young grey at one of his monitoring posts, so from first thing tomorrow, it's three visits a day to a secret location.

Mrs & Mrs Busy B

A Cumbrian family gathering, with Mum and Dad and Sister and Brother-in-Law here for the weekend kept us busy from Thursday until Tuesday morning. Sitting in the garden having a well earned cup of coffee and deciding how to spend the rest of the day - but suddenly it was all organised for us.
I was needed by one of our neighbouring farmers who was going to be clipping, Husband was needed by our Friendly Farrier, who chose today to fit our new gates.



Nothing here is ever too simple. We could have just hung new gates on the old hinges to replace the rotten ones, but common sense meant they needed moving further down the drive - so new hinges into the stone wall etc. It's very useful having such talented friends. Especially when they live opposite!

Well hung and Creosoted. They are a vast improvement on the last pair, which were literally dropping to bits.

Family Outing

I was first introduced to Cumbria by my parents. Our family holidays were always here - even before I was even thought of. In fact, 50 years ago, they spent their honeymoon here. It seemed appropriate then to do at least one fell walk while we were all together. Time being short, a short walk is called for. Little Mell Fell. the little fell with Big views.

Golden celebrations

A Family get together is on the cards to celebrate Mum and Dad's Golden Wedding Anniversary. Mum and Dad arrived on Thursday, followed by Alison and Chris on Friday. Saturday evening was already organised for a celebratory meal at Temple Sowerby House Hotel.
Husband and I have got to know it through friends, and hoped that the rest of the family would enjoy the experience as much as we have done on our previous visits.
The Happy Couple with their two wonderful (!) daughters

And not forgetting the unforgettable Sons in Law

We were delighted to find that we were treated just as brilliantly as we had hoped, although the taxi journey on the way there is another story completely........

Baby Boomers

In recent days there have been many phone calls between here and Northamptonshire of a competitive nature. Who has the most interesting baby birds in the garden! Like everyone we have had fledgling house sparrows and blackbirds for weeks, but here is a montage of some of the cute ones we've seen in the last few days.

We have two baby Woodies currently visiting - here's one getting a little encouragement from Dad.

The Tree Sparrow family launch themselves from the fence
And Mrs P paid us an early morning visit - complete with family (who I didn't spot till they were leaving!)
Our nest box Blue Tits have fledged - 6 we, think but one sadly flew into the window and died. Here are two of them with the two of the Great Tit family
And you have to look carefully - they are well camouflaged. About a week later than Northants, our Nuthatches have fledged. Here is one youngster being fed in the tree, so far we have seen two babies.

Wildlife Bonanzer

Still on a high from our recent squiggle visits, we have also had another infrequent visitor for the past couple of days. A Jay has swooped in and fairly swiftly swooped out again. Never when the camera has been handy so you'll have to take our word for it. Also off camera have been a couple of Dragonflies. One was probably a Common Darter, and the other was an 'Unidentified Red One'. Pond life continues to amaze me. Water Boatmen, lots of wiggly things some Protegee Great Diving Beetles (we think), lots of various water snails and a whole host of very small things.
In ever decreasing numbers, the tadpoles are growing up, many are committing suicide by climbing out and drying to death and I'm sure the early morning birds are making The Puddle their Breakfast Bar, judging by the stones that are strewn all over the place in the mornings.

WARNING - Photo Overload

What a day we had yesterday. We were off racing to Hexham, where one of my regular winter mounts was running. Forestside or Dippy as we call him, won at Hexham 11 days ago and was favourite today. He ran in the first race - and won again. As this was Jame's 3rd winner in 11 days (Kingsmoss - Mossy - won in the week at Wetherby), he took us all out for a celebratory meal last night.
But before we even left home in the morning the day had got off to a good start....

Is This Bragging?

We have a friend who loves Clematis - particularly Nelly Moser. Sadly she hasn't managed to locate one in a Cumbrian garden centre yet. I guess last time she was here, ours wasn't flowering so she would not have realised what variety it was. Well it is now!