Wildlife Update for 2012

I have been very lazy with updating this part of the blog this year. Records have been kept, but for whatever reason, I have never managed to get it onto the blog, so here goes for January to May 2012.

All the usual suspects have been around, with squirrel visits always a highlight, but also always a worry as so many get killed on the road outside. 3 so far this spring already. If only people would slow down, they may stand a bit more of a chance.


A single sighting of an Ermine running through the garden in mid April helped to explain what had carried the rabbit carcasses away so swiftly after they had been despatched. A new visitor this spring - and a fairly rare one, so we feel quite chuffed, is this Twite. Almost identical to the Redpoll in the picture below, but he is lacking the red, and has a patch of pink on his back.

Swallows, House Martins and Swifts circle all around us again, as do Long Eared Bats at night. We are fortunate enough to have frequent fly bys from Buzzards, Curlew, Oyster Catcher and Lapwings, all of which nest nearby, and the first of our regular hen pheasants has appeared with her (single) chick. The fields behind are full of life as usual, with sightings of Fox and Roe Deer in broad daylight.

Holehird

We had an overnight guest last night - he was very well behaved and eventually was reunited with his mum this morning.

That made us later than planned, but we headed off to visit Holehird gardens. I've been before a few times, but for various reasons, husband never had. It was as spectacular as ever.

Puppies - Counting The Days

With only 11 more sleeps until we collect her (and then have very little sleep for some time), Steve keeps updating us with cute pictures. There's not much more photgenic than a Springer pup!
We think - though don't hold us to it - that Baby B is 2nd on the left in this picture.....

and on the left in this one.....

Puppies - Six Weeks

A short film for you today - see if can spot our new pup!

Puppies - Five Weeks

The puppies are now well on their way to being weaned, with Sage only going into them through the night. During the day they are eating, sleeping and playing. We've been down to visit them again today, and now we know which one will be ours. See if you can guess................

Last Snow of the winter?

This was the view from the 'sun' room this morning.

Puppies - Four Weeks

Sage and her pups have now been moved into a kennel, and the pups are developing their own characters.

Sage can get away from them a bit now, and it looks like she's quite glad!

Bluebells

Mum and dad are staying for the week - and the weather has turned very wet, after a very dry Feb, March and April! Yesterday was a 'Wildlife through the window' sort of day, and thankfully the garden was full all day, with Red Squirrel, Fornicating Pheasants, a pair of Red Legs, a pair of Red Polls as well as all the usual culprits.
This morning was more of the same, but the afternoon looked more promising, so we headed over to Rannerdale to see this years Bluebell display. We weren't disappointed.




With all the rain, there was plenty of water about

Surprise, surprise, more rain when we get home. When it's been like this solidly for two days, and your only about a week old, where better to sleep than under Mums tummy.

Puppies - Three Weeks Old

Eyes Wide Open.......

And having a first introduction to 'solid' food