A long time coming
Duck nesting tubes
The other part of my weekend adventures was building a duck nesting tube. We’ve regularly been disturbing a pair of mallard that seem to be based on the pond, and knowing that there are foxes and badgers wandering through the area it seems a sensible plan to offer any nests some protection. I don’t have much practical experience making things… Read more »
Badger watching
J was away this weekend, which left me with some time to do something I’ve wanted to do since I got this photo on my trail camera, badger watching. Having never done it before, I spent some time reading up on it, and settled in to wait, leaning against a comfortable looking tree around dusk. I quickly learnt that my… Read more »
Trees
Having done the clearing sessions (there’s so much more to do…) we’ve been looking towards the future. With ash dieback becoming more prevalent than expected (BBC- ash dieback) and with other diseases affecting native trees (https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/pest-and-disease-resources/chronic-oak-dieback/) we want to make sure that there’s a wide variety of native species throughout the wood. The Woodland Trust have been running a fantastic… Read more »
End of the season
There was loads planned for last weekend including our third and final work party day and my last planned wildfowling trip for this season. I knew a few people were coming to help in the wood, but so many more turned up it was amazing! We cleared such a huge area, and walking round the wood yesterday the bluebells are… Read more »
Conservation and clearing
Day 2 of our 3 work party days was held on Saturday. The plan was to clear an area that had been completely choked by brambles and elders, and we had a lot of volunteers to help us out. In fact, I have been completely amazed by how many people have wanted to be involved; friends, family and colleagues have… Read more »
Busy day
It’s taken me awhile to jot anything down about this, but even though it’s a bit late I really wanted to say something. We had our first of a few “work party” days. We spend a lot of time in the wood and over the last few years have been working hard to open up light, space and paths. J… Read more »
First duck
I’ve come away from the weekend, happy, content, sore and I can’t wait for the next one! Last week was emotionally tough – lots going on at home and work and I needed to get out Saturday morning to reset my mind and body. I didn’t care whether or not we saw anything (we didn’t much), but to feel the… Read more »
Holidays
Holidays are always too short to fit in everything you want to do. This one was no different. The main priority was re-tiling the bathroom (fun, fun, fun!), and obviously catching up with family we don’t see so often so there wasn’t as much time for spending outdoors as I’d have liked. We got out clay shooting (see here), managed… Read more »
Clay shooting for Christmas eve
J and I headed over to Fennes in Braintree today to shoot some clays and it was great. We started with a skeet round as I’d had a taste at Eriswell Lodge and it’s definitely something I want to do again. It was close, and there’s definite room for improvement, but I shot well and pipped J by 1. Next… Read more »