tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80669406558940463312024-03-13T16:56:54.589+00:00Blue BorageWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-17740587281874226252017-01-06T11:34:00.000+00:002017-01-07T04:50:15.783+00:00New Year Sunrise - Hadleigh Castle<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwfnO-zxW1g/WG5-GYMmkwI/AAAAAAAADVY/5Is6dBlLGjcRRkdSkn5RfvY-jArR3MRKQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwfnO-zxW1g/WG5-GYMmkwI/AAAAAAAADVY/5Is6dBlLGjcRRkdSkn5RfvY-jArR3MRKQCLcB/s640/IMG_9669.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Mine seemed to pass very quickly as we were busy with family and friends visiting. It was lovely to see people and spend time with them.<br />
<br />
But I also went out walking when I could on some bright, frosty mornings. I can't stay indoors for very long! On the day after New Year, just as the sun was coming up, David and I decided to get plenty of fresh air by visiting Hadleigh Castle, once a medieval stronghold, and now a ruin high up on a hill with stunning views of the Thames estuary.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk9YyhI56qY/WG5-v153-lI/AAAAAAAADVg/0-PXb-qXfdAs7-pnScvruKYxqO3nTdQ0gCEw/s1600/IMG_9686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk9YyhI56qY/WG5-v153-lI/AAAAAAAADVg/0-PXb-qXfdAs7-pnScvruKYxqO3nTdQ0gCEw/s640/IMG_9686.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As it was a bank holiday, it was very quiet and still, with no traffic on the nearby roads, and no other visitors. It was the perfect time to wander around the site and make the most of those views.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xz470eJXylM/WG5_Pw-smyI/AAAAAAAADVk/YXpvwSreZ7AWpWucPnaIJeycYqgERrgAwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xz470eJXylM/WG5_Pw-smyI/AAAAAAAADVk/YXpvwSreZ7AWpWucPnaIJeycYqgERrgAwCLcB/s640/IMG_9680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBno8xGU2zM/WG5-dAsuVUI/AAAAAAAADVo/H0wQezVEY6srIpbiXr4RScN3w-I4ipFvgCEw/s1600/IMG_9672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBno8xGU2zM/WG5-dAsuVUI/AAAAAAAADVo/H0wQezVEY6srIpbiXr4RScN3w-I4ipFvgCEw/s640/IMG_9672.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Hadleigh Castle was built by Hubert de Burgh after King John granted him the land here in 1215. Hubert de Burgh was a military hero who became a powerful baron. He fell out of favour in the 1230s and the castle was seized by the king. It wasn't really occupied again, though, until the 1300s. Edward II started to take an interest in it, but it was Edward III who really made improvements here. Below is a sketch (from one of the display boards) of how the castle probably looked in 1370.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNXadKHy8Fk/WG5_2K3yroI/AAAAAAAADVs/dB0RBw8KNe4Oci8exKsqSJ_8CFcv9K6LACLcB/s1600/IMG_9676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNXadKHy8Fk/WG5_2K3yroI/AAAAAAAADVs/dB0RBw8KNe4Oci8exKsqSJ_8CFcv9K6LACLcB/s640/IMG_9676.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
After Edward III, the castle wasn't used very much. It's built on London clay and suffers from subsidence (the castle itself is made from Kentish ragstone with mortar containing cockleshells from the estuary). The Tudor noble Richard Rich acquired the castle in the mid 1500s and after he began to rob it for its stone, it fell into disrepair. It was later used by Georgian revenue men to watch for smugglers on the estuary, but was never lived in again, It had become a romantic ruin, and as such, was famously painted by Constable in 1829.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image result for constable hadleigh castle images" height="474" src="https://www.rc.umd.edu/sites/default/files/galleryOriginals/b88399c54e798b490d00464a561a5952.jpg" width="640" /><br />
There is the sound of starlings everywhere here, so I wonder if they roost in the ruins. Below the castle, in the estuary, is Two Tree Island, a nature reserve. I've not visited there yet, but it's supposed to be a good site for butterflies. It's on my list to visit this summer.<br />
<br />
Back home, I feed the animals around dawn, and as we've had some frosty mornings recently, the sheep have been given extra food. They come up to be fed with frost on their thick coats...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wuBx1OxPn4/WG6C9QacdCI/AAAAAAAADV8/lyVRbTCfvIMAQ9-P_E4UMHei7jDoLgsHQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wuBx1OxPn4/WG6C9QacdCI/AAAAAAAADV8/lyVRbTCfvIMAQ9-P_E4UMHei7jDoLgsHQCLcB/s640/IMG_9635.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
All the water troughs freeze overnight, and so the ice has to be broken...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwGRrBm8YyI/WG6DdQkROsI/AAAAAAAADWA/ciLm7MGm0G8zRfEqp7qVsryZUWJZ6puLgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwGRrBm8YyI/WG6DdQkROsI/AAAAAAAADWA/ciLm7MGm0G8zRfEqp7qVsryZUWJZ6puLgCLcB/s640/IMG_9643.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The wild birds are ready for food. David made a new bird table (it attaches to an existing pole) over the holidays, and the birds found it at once...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CiDruaZH-WI/WG6j3OfqXwI/AAAAAAAADWk/scBvCkUPRXkP2AsB1GNsJ4Ixg1LYSQT2ACLcB/s1600/birdtabe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CiDruaZH-WI/WG6j3OfqXwI/AAAAAAAADWk/scBvCkUPRXkP2AsB1GNsJ4Ixg1LYSQT2ACLcB/s640/birdtabe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm always hoping to see some rarer birds here, such as a brambling. I keep checking the little flocks of finches for them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-cPobn153I/WG6j9xmSWWI/AAAAAAAADWo/l69cWKFIPMkVl2DURUPk43AF-2RbFirPQCLcB/s1600/birdtabe2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-cPobn153I/WG6j9xmSWWI/AAAAAAAADWo/l69cWKFIPMkVl2DURUPk43AF-2RbFirPQCLcB/s640/birdtabe2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Spring seems a long way off on mornings like these, although I have noticed a little extra daylight in the afternoons this week. It's great to see the change, isn't it?<br />
<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHDslYmCnO4/WG6IQHj9m3I/AAAAAAAADWU/daxRBGfqf58OHc3fdARk_JOmeRPJbCL_wCLcB/s1600/IMG_9632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHDslYmCnO4/WG6IQHj9m3I/AAAAAAAADWU/daxRBGfqf58OHc3fdARk_JOmeRPJbCL_wCLcB/s640/IMG_9632.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-1556911236677328512016-12-04T17:36:00.000+00:002016-12-04T17:36:01.193+00:00Autumn into Winter These are my last images of this year's glorious autumn, which definitely feels over now. In the young wood, close to the smallholding, the colours were beautiful;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhbuRyrI30E/WD8ur2hXo_I/AAAAAAAADUY/W4bqqjyvGA0oLYuNGKiGPjXPW7OHZAv-ACLcB/s1600/youngwods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhbuRyrI30E/WD8ur2hXo_I/AAAAAAAADUY/W4bqqjyvGA0oLYuNGKiGPjXPW7OHZAv-ACLcB/s640/youngwods.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The sheep were out grazing quite happily; there has been little rain to drive them into the shelter;<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_eYxD5_Od4/WD8vH9WZerI/AAAAAAAADUc/K2j-tVtOxq4Ua8MYvIzUJhL-V6ImpphcACLcB/s1600/IMG_9521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_eYxD5_Od4/WD8vH9WZerI/AAAAAAAADUc/K2j-tVtOxq4Ua8MYvIzUJhL-V6ImpphcACLcB/s640/IMG_9521.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
But in the late summer/autumn drought caused the water level to drop in the local reservoir and it's been a surprise to see the tree stumps of the old farmland revealed once again (this land was flooded by the new reservoir in the 1950s)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4xSiefJe9Kw/WD8wIf-R1eI/AAAAAAAADUo/UjNScjFsaq4dStQlk6TdcWmfsuhSXfocgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4xSiefJe9Kw/WD8wIf-R1eI/AAAAAAAADUo/UjNScjFsaq4dStQlk6TdcWmfsuhSXfocgCLcB/s640/IMG_9309.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This autumn/winter I love that I'm on a commuter route - a geese commuter route. Every morning they fly over in great skeins;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AiDw3GCA8Jc/WD8wcZYBzBI/AAAAAAAADUs/DA0ErtOYKP8Dwn8879E6rxP6kz1sZew-gCLcB/s1600/IMG_9499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AiDw3GCA8Jc/WD8wcZYBzBI/AAAAAAAADUs/DA0ErtOYKP8Dwn8879E6rxP6kz1sZew-gCLcB/s640/IMG_9499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And then at sunset they fly back again to their roost;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm9tGKew6Zk/WD8wyHE74LI/AAAAAAAADUw/rIuhqdxa8dQObH1oy-i4D4wfdBx-B0tcwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm9tGKew6Zk/WD8wyHE74LI/AAAAAAAADUw/rIuhqdxa8dQObH1oy-i4D4wfdBx-B0tcwCLcB/s640/IMG_9582.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My own geese are never interested in the wild geese flying low overhead. They have their own preoccupations - such as the return of Cador. This is my 'young' gander who had to be re-homed on the farm next door because he kept picking a fight with his father. Well - he's now back, in disgrace, because of his bad behaviour there, too. So I have to make sure that I separate the two males on the smallholding, which is giving me extra work (and a large headache...) It's like taking back a difficult teenager into the home...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1kf405ns3s0/WD8xXNFdtuI/AAAAAAAADU4/6iQu8dEdtmQzOI6mePOi7xnXM4LnsIWRgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1kf405ns3s0/WD8xXNFdtuI/AAAAAAAADU4/6iQu8dEdtmQzOI6mePOi7xnXM4LnsIWRgCLcB/s640/IMG_9335.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Meanwhile here's something I've found a lot more soothing than squabbling geese - discovering a foxglove in my garden that flowered in October and throughout November;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhEptg6LeeQ/WD8x7wMCH_I/AAAAAAAADU8/7Y8wBaUWOS8tdPEXYUcuKt_5Odp81b3rACLcB/s1600/IMG_9402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhEptg6LeeQ/WD8x7wMCH_I/AAAAAAAADU8/7Y8wBaUWOS8tdPEXYUcuKt_5Odp81b3rACLcB/s640/IMG_9402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I love the striking sunrises and sunsets of this time of year. This sunset blazed behind a large bonfire David and I had just lit. We could feel the frost in the air, and see the lights of the house across the dark field;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XM2uFDeB_ok/WD8yXN9_RjI/AAAAAAAADVA/-xVOCVgbK8M9IIlSFzCgpDAYmjlESMFMQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XM2uFDeB_ok/WD8yXN9_RjI/AAAAAAAADVA/-xVOCVgbK8M9IIlSFzCgpDAYmjlESMFMQCLcB/s640/IMG_9564.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Now it's definitely <i>not</i> my favourite season, but I have to admit that winter has its moments, too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-34976775088194102502016-11-19T20:47:00.000+00:002016-11-19T20:47:33.779+00:00Autumn (and a Hermit) in an Old Forest <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2T060rfZGM/WC3rtrpQhXI/AAAAAAAADTQ/XowexUhmAzw0uN6sODfhu07mhpuhf-25gCLcB/s1600/deeeeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2T060rfZGM/WC3rtrpQhXI/AAAAAAAADTQ/XowexUhmAzw0uN6sODfhu07mhpuhf-25gCLcB/s640/deeeeer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother and fawn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I like November. I like the beautiful, bright days of this month, sometimes with a frosty start, where the sun catches the red, copper and gold of the leaves. I always think that the beginning and middle of November are autumn while the end of the month is winter. And I don't mind early winter, because it's still a bit of a novelty (although this feeling doesn't last long - by mid December I'm looking forward to spring!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IvoXk91mReY/WC3r7SxypyI/AAAAAAAADTU/1w0DXay3hL0OdyunjLckBmKkfZkqkkhFACLcB/s1600/cleeeering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IvoXk91mReY/WC3r7SxypyI/AAAAAAAADTU/1w0DXay3hL0OdyunjLckBmKkfZkqkkhFACLcB/s640/cleeeering.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
On sunny days in November, I'm usually in a 'make the most of the outdoors' mood. I like to enjoy the autumn colours while they last - and so when I can, I squeeze in a woodland walk. I did this recently when I walked through Writtle Forest, which isn't far from where I live. Writtle forest is made up of different areas of ancient woodland - and a good description of it comes from the late academic and writer on the British countryside, Oliver Rackham:<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>' Writtle Forest is a wild and lovely place. Nearly everything one sees there is of the fourteenth century or earlier: the great assart surrounded by hornbeam springs and alder slades: the heathland. Pollard oaks, and woodbanks.'</i><br />
<br />
I'd also add to this description the lovely sight of fallow deer because there are so many here, and it's wonderful coming across them...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_U6Hi4fltZ8/WC39YHEaEYI/AAAAAAAADT4/F4nfD4EZvnErwcitDF7wdGWeMExAvDypgCLcB/s1600/fallow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_U6Hi4fltZ8/WC39YHEaEYI/AAAAAAAADT4/F4nfD4EZvnErwcitDF7wdGWeMExAvDypgCLcB/s640/fallow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
In the Middle Ages, Writtle Forest had its own hermit. This was actually a job created for someone by the king; it seems it was the 'fashion' (so to speak) to place a hermit in a forest in this part of the country (Hainault Forest had one as well). In Writtle, Henry II (1133-1189) gave the job to a solitary Cluniac monk - later increased to two monks. Their main purpose was to pray for the soul of the king and for the souls of departed kings, and they were given a small farm (a hermitage), and an income.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxs7lg3RJGA/WC3v8KIDuEI/AAAAAAAADTc/B90qbdRbUbUapP3BG17OBVTuuwGL25ZdwCLcB/s1600/trree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxs7lg3RJGA/WC3v8KIDuEI/AAAAAAAADTc/B90qbdRbUbUapP3BG17OBVTuuwGL25ZdwCLcB/s640/trree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I looked for a trace of the hermitage, but I couldn't see anything. From the maps, it appears it stood where there is now a small meadow. There's another 'lost' building around here, too - King John's hunting lodge. Sadly, there's also little trace of this here today.<br />
<br />
Writtle Forest has a claim to fame as the birthplace of Robert the Bruce....but <i>which</i> Robert the Bruce remains a dispute among historians. Some maintain it was the famous King of Scotland, while others believe it was his father (Robert the Bruce or Robert de Brus, sixth lord of Annandale, born 1243) who had an estate here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-219WwfnLdO8/WDA5xtVuPLI/AAAAAAAADUI/Hslh1Qj5-xwuO0JZqMuX1a5CIL4w6RPzQCLcB/s1600/old%2Bforest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-219WwfnLdO8/WDA5xtVuPLI/AAAAAAAADUI/Hslh1Qj5-xwuO0JZqMuX1a5CIL4w6RPzQCLcB/s640/old%2Bforest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I love walking through all woodland in November, but there is something special about walking through an ancient forest. The old trees, with their thick, gnarled trunks, have so much character.<br />
<br />
And I don't suppose it was a bad job being a hermit here either, all those years ago.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-17562107950832484132016-11-11T10:55:00.001+00:002016-11-11T10:55:58.465+00:00Stow Maries Aerodrome: A Place of War (1916) and Wildlife (2016)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XBWhBbE8pA/WCSoNPZS92I/AAAAAAAADSg/SPyN8EoKon0Kcysc9NLLqaY94Y2PMUpbACLcB/s1600/airman16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XBWhBbE8pA/WCSoNPZS92I/AAAAAAAADSg/SPyN8EoKon0Kcysc9NLLqaY94Y2PMUpbACLcB/s400/airman16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A few miles away from where I live, an aerodrome from the Great War is being conserved. From 1916 until the end of the war, the men and women of 37 (Home Defence) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (later Royal Air Force) were based here, but in 1919 the squadron moved to Biggin Hill in Kent. After this time, the site - a few huts in a field - remained empty and in the following years the buildings were used to store farm equipment. The site was never developed and neither was the land around it - and the buildings fell into decay. Today, the recent conservation work has given the site some activity once again and it's beginning to look as it did a hundred years ago. No other near-complete Great War aerodrome exists in England.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSL8PnTMKhQ/WCSpBzsRO0I/AAAAAAAADSo/ujOn3uK5GR8iysmL8SmVqCx0RiyALrPlACLcB/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSL8PnTMKhQ/WCSpBzsRO0I/AAAAAAAADSo/ujOn3uK5GR8iysmL8SmVqCx0RiyALrPlACLcB/s400/020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As well as being a place of history and of commemoration, the aerodrome has become a place for wildlife. In fact, wildlife is encouraged here. So the empty huts and the surrounding fields of rough grassland and scrub land, have become the homes and hunting grounds of barn owls, tawny owls, and little owls, song birds and hares. There are also water voles at the pond on the site.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vEzbFxPx3O0/WCSp-m2lVPI/AAAAAAAADSw/4ekXe0egHmIBVXpLEMmuJLCKwIlhQwo2gCLcB/s1600/chifffy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vEzbFxPx3O0/WCSp-m2lVPI/AAAAAAAADSw/4ekXe0egHmIBVXpLEMmuJLCKwIlhQwo2gCLcB/s400/chifffy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been there two or three times now and each time I've looked for the owls. But I haven't had any luck with them. I was told by the volunteers on one of my visits that the little owls had been peeking out from their ruined building the previous day for TV presenter Chris Packham to photograph. I watched the building for a while, sitting outside the officers' mess (or cafe) with my mug of tea, but the owls didn't appear for me. I really needed some food to lure them out (or perhaps I just wasn't famous enough for them!)<br />
<br />
But if I haven't seen much of the wildlife on my visit, there's plenty of history to see here. Not all the huts have been conserved yet, but many have. These include the squadron offices (housing the museum), the blacksmith's forge, the ambulance hut and the aircraft hangers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYxuF1wdFfI/WCSpYhpe20I/AAAAAAAADSs/WSSLTmOH7ggtpfGZnZ2Rhp_uCsMKjwzkQCEw/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYxuF1wdFfI/WCSpYhpe20I/AAAAAAAADSs/WSSLTmOH7ggtpfGZnZ2Rhp_uCsMKjwzkQCEw/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The duties of 37 Squadron included defending London from aerial attack (from Zeppelins). In such a country area, the sound of these early planes flying to and from the site must have had quite an impact on local folk. Even today it's quiet here, and any noise from the vintage aircraft (when they fly) is very noticeable. Tragically, ten servicemen from 37 Squadron did lose their lives in the war. At least one lost his life in an accident close to the site when his aircraft crashed. All the deaths must have hit the community hard - I imagine the pilots would have been known in the villages, drinking in the local pubs and attending the local church.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdJ_1e1PRdo/WCSq0v44DBI/AAAAAAAADS0/CeJoR64vSSQhMxkD_sVYAM2vvC1cUM5MgCLcB/s1600/ww1%2Bplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdJ_1e1PRdo/WCSq0v44DBI/AAAAAAAADS0/CeJoR64vSSQhMxkD_sVYAM2vvC1cUM5MgCLcB/s400/ww1%2Bplane.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Remember the Tower poppies of a couple of years ago? Ten have been donated to the aerodrome by the bell ringers of a local church for the ten servicemen who lost their lives.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTu0w63N1FY/WCSr2M9LVAI/AAAAAAAADS4/YPKbKeVCgd0Rt0Y8DIS-HdckDjqmO9WewCLcB/s1600/IMG_6715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTu0w63N1FY/WCSr2M9LVAI/AAAAAAAADS4/YPKbKeVCgd0Rt0Y8DIS-HdckDjqmO9WewCLcB/s400/IMG_6715.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There are different events held here throughout the year - and these include a service here on Remembrance Sunday...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3DAZc_vHpI/WCSsdkzcH3I/AAAAAAAADTA/AcTYYBIX9rIOColqzzXqhgnQaSJuCMdWwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3DAZc_vHpI/WCSsdkzcH3I/AAAAAAAADTA/AcTYYBIX9rIOColqzzXqhgnQaSJuCMdWwCLcB/s400/IMG_9258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Stow Maries Aerodrome is a place I'll look forward to returning to. Hopefully I might even see the owls at last! But I'd also like to see how the conservation work is progressing and to learn more about the stories of the people who were based here.<br />
<br />
For more info, I've included a link to the aerodrome website <a href="http://www.stowmaries.org.uk/">here.</a><br />
<i><br /></i>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-14474999411559667492016-10-24T19:53:00.000+01:002016-10-24T19:53:40.546+01:00Jobs for Autumn: Charcoal Burning and Planting Spring Bulbs<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FuAM3qoK9p0/WA4nvH15B8I/AAAAAAAADRU/aQtszOfFICsC8Q8CG-4oG_J5D4RYd4GXwCLcB/s1600/charcoal%2Bburning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FuAM3qoK9p0/WA4nvH15B8I/AAAAAAAADRU/aQtszOfFICsC8Q8CG-4oG_J5D4RYd4GXwCLcB/s640/charcoal%2Bburning.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>'The charcoal-burner has tales to tell.</i><br />
<i>He lives in the Forest,</i><br />
<i>Alone in the Forest;</i><br />
<i>He sits in the Forest,</i><br />
<i>Alone in the Forest.</i><br />
<i>And the sun comes slanting between the trees,</i><br />
<i>And rabbits come up, and they give him good-morning,</i><br />
<i>And rabbits come up and say, "Beautiful morning"...</i><br />
<i>And the moon swings clear of the tall black trees,</i><br />
<i>And owls fly over and wish him good-night,</i><br />
<i>Quietly over to wish him good-night...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And he sits and thinks of the things they know,</i><br />
<i>He and the Forest, alone together -</i><br />
<i>The springs that come and the summers that go,</i><br />
<i>Autumn dew on bracken and heather,</i><br />
<i>The drip of the Forest beneath the snow...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>All the things they have seen,</i><br />
<i>All the things they have heard:</i><br />
<i>An April sky swept clean and the song of a bird...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Oh, the charcoal-burner has tales to tell!</i><br />
<i>And he lives in the Forest and knows us well.</i><br />
<br />
<i>A.A.Milne</i><br />
<br />
<br />
These are the signs of autumn on our smallholding; the changing colour of the beautiful, mature oaks around our boundary, the hedges heavy with berries and rose hips, apples in the orchard, the air full of wood smoke from bonfires and log fires. And then there is the list of seasonal jobs that we hope to get ticked off before the weather turns cold and wet and miserable and we don't really want to be working outside.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The first of these autumn jobs is charcoal burning. A traditional charcoal burner lived alone or in a small community of other charcoal burners in the woods, looking after a kiln, day and night. David has built a kiln here, but we only burn a small amount at a time, so we're able to keep an eye on it over a few hours. Our kiln is basically an old oil drum, with a lid and chimneys, that has been placed by our bonfire. To start the process, seasoned hornbeam<b> </b>logs are stacked carefully in the kiln so that there is a hole in the centre. The hole has been left so that hot coals from the bonfire can be added. Then the logs are lit.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkZ7kWqJHC0/WA5RKTXoobI/AAAAAAAADSM/XsHivL_qNvgPvySWxzCqlnZ4NV-PafaAgCEw/s1600/charcoal%2Bflames2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkZ7kWqJHC0/WA5RKTXoobI/AAAAAAAADSM/XsHivL_qNvgPvySWxzCqlnZ4NV-PafaAgCEw/s640/charcoal%2Bflames2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The fire starts to burn, with flames visible out of the top of the kiln and smoke mingling with the misty autumn air. It's important to judge at this point when to put the lid on - too soon and the wood doesn't turn into charcoal properly, too late and the logs turn to ash. The lid is then sealed with ash from the bonfire, so that oxygen doesn't seep into the kiln preventing the logs from being properly 'cooked'. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s0wtU2Q23Cc/WA4pJwhZc7I/AAAAAAAADRg/ZXXGKkgP9gsjEC3wu2YkKnqTLL8dUfC8ACLcB/s1600/IMG_9398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s0wtU2Q23Cc/WA4pJwhZc7I/AAAAAAAADRg/ZXXGKkgP9gsjEC3wu2YkKnqTLL8dUfC8ACLcB/s640/IMG_9398.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Hours later, the process is finished. The charcoal is removed and left to cool and then it's stacked by the barbecue, ready for a warm, summer evening in 2017!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSaADLgMA7o/WA4qJaVQ3zI/AAAAAAAADRo/6IsAFZcB__oac2oBU1pDdGTfJojODJcPwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSaADLgMA7o/WA4qJaVQ3zI/AAAAAAAADRo/6IsAFZcB__oac2oBU1pDdGTfJojODJcPwCLcB/s640/IMG_9410.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the finished charcoal, ready for a barbecue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the charcoal burning is taking place, I'm planting spring bulbs and other flowers. Because we've planted so many trees and hedges here, we've inadvertently transformed open, sunny spots into areas of woodland garden. The plants I'll be introducing to these areas will be the plants that'll thrive in dappled shade; so, for example, I'll be planting more cyclamen as well as several clumps of lily of the valley that my godmother has kindly given to me from her own garden.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdjdOKhIfvE/WA4q5_sliTI/AAAAAAAADRw/mx-yKPaIvlAeWjQSWUFYRiqxAABdaZRrgCLcB/s1600/bulbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="513" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdjdOKhIfvE/WA4q5_sliTI/AAAAAAAADRw/mx-yKPaIvlAeWjQSWUFYRiqxAABdaZRrgCLcB/s640/bulbs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gone planting...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In some of the remaining open areas I'm going to plant more daffodils. I like daffodils - I can't say that they're a favourite flower of mine, but they are part of the spring landscape and I'd miss them if they weren't there.<br />
<br />
Actually, the truth is that I <i>am</i> missing daffodils because I discovered last year that we now have daffodil pests...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJ1LEYliAJI/WA4r_7QtotI/AAAAAAAADR4/4vWMlIbiA8s7U7A5VHm-rf22wB5w3YE3QCLcB/s1600/daffodil%2Bsheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="459" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJ1LEYliAJI/WA4r_7QtotI/AAAAAAAADR4/4vWMlIbiA8s7U7A5VHm-rf22wB5w3YE3QCLcB/s640/daffodil%2Bsheep.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Our Suffolk and Cheviot sheep have never touched daffodils in their 14 or so years of being here, but our new Ryelands eat them as they come up, because they're incredibly greedy sheep and will eat anything. I was slow to realise what had happened, but I did twig, sometime towards the middle of last April, that I couldn't see the usual splash of yellow along the edge of the moat. What I did see was two very fat brown sheep. So - because we've recently doubled our number of Ryelands - I'll be re-planting daffodils this autumn to replace the lost flowers and they'll be planted in secure, sheep-proof areas. And as for the Ryelands...fortunately they quite like stinging nettles, so hopefully, without daffodils to tempt them, they'll concentrate on the weeds instead.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-32473637161221744382016-10-13T12:20:00.000+01:002016-10-15T08:31:15.863+01:00Is King Harold Buried Here? The Ruins at Waltham Abbey, 950 years after The Battle of Hastings <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ypXQpxS5Vr8/V_qYx89Pd9I/AAAAAAAADPw/aTaUanc5ZCcSfKqn4tJbY58MVxVmbyHxgCLcB/s1600/kingharoldsgrave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ypXQpxS5Vr8/V_qYx89Pd9I/AAAAAAAADPw/aTaUanc5ZCcSfKqn4tJbY58MVxVmbyHxgCLcB/s640/kingharoldsgrave.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marking King Harold's Grave. The inscription reads: 'This stone marks the position of the high altar behind which King Harold is said to have been buried 1066'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
'<i>This was a fatal day for England, a melancholy havoc of our dear country brought about by its change of lords'</i><br />
William of Malmesbury (1125) on the Battle of Hastings<br />
<br />
This autumn, I've visited the ruins of Waltham Abbey, where the last Saxon king Harold Godwinson is supposed to be buried. Waltham Abbey and Church have long been on my list of places to visit and because - this week - it's exactly 950 years after the Battle of Hastings (it took place on 14 October 1066), now seems like the right time to do it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdAutBP-E4w/V_9DeqfvbpI/AAAAAAAADQY/xUT387CAH10i6muFGQcKyd4JRJnOQzv6QCEw/s1600/IMG_9172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdAutBP-E4w/V_9DeqfvbpI/AAAAAAAADQY/xUT387CAH10i6muFGQcKyd4JRJnOQzv6QCEw/s400/IMG_9172.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross and St Lawrence, Waltham Abbey. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
There is a real mystery around the final resting place of King Harold. The familiar story is that after he was killed at Hastings (by an arrow in his eye? It's more likely he was killed by the swords of Norman knights), his body lay on the battlefield waiting to be identified. So Edith the Fair (also known as Edith Swan-neck) his mistress or second wife (Harold's martial situation is a bit unclear) was asked to do identify him - and she did - from 'marks known only to her'.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxRgKOUM-ho/V_9CoHcLE6I/AAAAAAAADQU/IA4fWVpJJXYhIZ8B76Yg0X7K3mAP5blywCEw/s1600/haroldstatue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxRgKOUM-ho/V_9CoHcLE6I/AAAAAAAADQU/IA4fWVpJJXYhIZ8B76Yg0X7K3mAP5blywCEw/s400/haroldstatue.jpg" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of King Harold, Waltham Abbey Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After this, there are several accounts about the fate of Harold's body. Different historical sources from the 1100s refer to Harold's burial at Waltham Abbey. But other accounts have him buried at sea or buried under a cairn on a cliff top, while from the 1950s there has been a suggestion that he was buried at Bosham Church in West Sussex, where a Saxon grave has been found. It seems that Edith also had a demesne not far from Waltham Abbey and so it's also been said that she may have arranged for the body to have been taken there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_MmWYkrjtY/V_9YtBZgzWI/AAAAAAAADQw/IR_PegYn7l0zvRp8lDPTaQJoig05TV3jwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_MmWYkrjtY/V_9YtBZgzWI/AAAAAAAADQw/IR_PegYn7l0zvRp8lDPTaQJoig05TV3jwCLcB/s400/IMG_9190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Church seen over the ruins of the Abbey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But in the Vita Haroldi (1177), Harold is said to have left the battlefield alive and ended his days living quietly afterwards. Historians have suggested, though, that this was written to draw attention away from Harold's grave at Waltham Abbey. A century after Hastings, Harold was still a problem for the Norman rulers and a rallying figure for disaffected, rebellious Saxon folk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPdkf3NWjtA/V_9Y8VemTQI/AAAAAAAADQ0/a7-eghdbDh4pPLOaQa3K8jDxUYeRvNX5wCLcB/s1600/gatehouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPdkf3NWjtA/V_9Y8VemTQI/AAAAAAAADQ0/a7-eghdbDh4pPLOaQa3K8jDxUYeRvNX5wCLcB/s400/gatehouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">14th Century Gateway and Bridge, Waltham Abbey. The bricks on the left are Essex bricks<br />
and are an example of some of the earliest medieval bricks in the country.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The church at Waltham Abbey was important to Harold because many years before he became king he was miraculously 'cured' from a form of paralysis while visiting there. He then became a benefactor of the church. There have been several churches on the site since the 7th century, and the church was raised to a status of an abbey in 1184, many years after Harold's death.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1kOJaqyL8I/V_9a_RfRGoI/AAAAAAAADRE/lfDfQWnPkwIhLVVZxQKXqbtdaxRsjPUZQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1kOJaqyL8I/V_9a_RfRGoI/AAAAAAAADRE/lfDfQWnPkwIhLVVZxQKXqbtdaxRsjPUZQCLcB/s400/IMG_9319.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Window, Waltham Abbey Church, showing the story of Genesis.<br />
It was designed by Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, although there's a stone commemorating Harold at Waltham Abbey, his bones could be anywhere. If he is somewhere within the abbey ruins, he's likely to have been moved several times during the different building work and religious turmoil in the following centuries. But wherever he is, Harold has become strongly associated with Waltham Abbey. Each year, a group called the Friends of King Harold hold a King Harold Day there. This is a Saxon/Medieval festival that takes place on a weekend close to 14 October - this year, it took place on 8th October.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rraeb4Tjh2o/V_9V1zG7e0I/AAAAAAAADQk/so8Ba2uTpcsatW2ZgleST2k207dIXEUgQCLcB/s1600/coollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rraeb4Tjh2o/V_9V1zG7e0I/AAAAAAAADQk/so8Ba2uTpcsatW2ZgleST2k207dIXEUgQCLcB/s640/coollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenes from King Harold Day (Medieval musicians and archers).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There has been plenty of interest in looking for the bones of King Harold and this might be the time for finding lost kings - after all, Richard III was recently found in a car park, so Harold Godwinson may well be discovered in a quiet corner of Waltham Abbey.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-22100913517775394282016-10-04T17:56:00.000+01:002016-10-04T18:30:47.261+01:00A Sky Empty of Swallows....and the Hornet's Revenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RdQ15dlJYg/V_PIPdNNf0I/AAAAAAAADPI/brrS4kNAdwAuuVDihml_ClH_w1uls6-DwCLcB/s1600/mumswallow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RdQ15dlJYg/V_PIPdNNf0I/AAAAAAAADPI/brrS4kNAdwAuuVDihml_ClH_w1uls6-DwCLcB/s640/mumswallow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Suddenly, the swallows have gone. They were here at the weekend, chattering on the wires and scooping up insects, but now they've all disappeared. The sky is empty of them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7M7KJycKS6o/V_PIVd96HNI/AAAAAAAADPM/F-wqRmu2yuMzteHzwWnHFpX5Td4MmJAQwCLcB/s1600/baby%2Bswallow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7M7KJycKS6o/V_PIVd96HNI/AAAAAAAADPM/F-wqRmu2yuMzteHzwWnHFpX5Td4MmJAQwCLcB/s640/baby%2Bswallow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
These photos are of 'our' young birds earlier in the summer, when they'd just fledged. They'll now be on their journey south to Africa. Each year I silently wish them well and hope they come back safely. It'll be one of the best moments of next year when they do.<br />
<br />
There's a sense here that most of the summer visiting birds have gone. I only wish the wasps and hornets had disappeared by now. They're still around, although maybe not for much longer, because the badgers have largely dug out the wasps' nest by our front gate. The badgers destroyed last year's nest, too - and I've started not to worry too much about the nests when I find them in the ground here. I know that the badgers will get rid of them for me.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JYuLOkQA5WQ/V_PIrffb10I/AAAAAAAADPQ/Lte6FdbefI4-G8_qmOlhs0glBnh9YjqYwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9034%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JYuLOkQA5WQ/V_PIrffb10I/AAAAAAAADPQ/Lte6FdbefI4-G8_qmOlhs0glBnh9YjqYwCLcB/s640/IMG_9034%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Largely dug-out wasps' nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I don't know if any of our native creatures would destroy an Asian hornets' nest. Fortunately, after the first UK sightings of the Asian hornet in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, a nest has been found and dealt with. That's the good news. The bad news is that today, there are reports that the Asian hornet is now in Somerset. Is it too much to hope that these are the only two locations?<br />
<br />
Thankfully, the only hornets I've seen are the European hornets. Their nest is still active in the trunk of a nearby oak. I don't think they're doing very much damage to my bee hives, because I haven't seen them hanging around trying to attack my bees. And it hasn't really been a good year for wasps in my area, unlike last year, when many local beekeepers lost their bee hives to wasp attacks. I wonder if - this year - the cold spring prevented the queens from establishing their nests.<br />
<br />
But - just as I think the wasps and hornets are not bothering me here, they've given me a nasty surprise...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYqrE1ZL_A0/V_PNlsfWmEI/AAAAAAAADPg/raQXeVRZuC4AsToJDU9x5J4ehv2bt58MQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYqrE1ZL_A0/V_PNlsfWmEI/AAAAAAAADPg/raQXeVRZuC4AsToJDU9x5J4ehv2bt58MQCLcB/s640/IMG_9276.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I discovered one in the airing cupboard at the weekend, as I was about to lift up a clean towel. How it found its way in there, when the door is almost always closed, I've no idea. Fortunately, I saw it straight away. I won't think about what might have happened if I hadn't!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-86607875737416867172016-09-27T17:12:00.000+01:002016-09-28T12:07:24.202+01:00On Bats (Good), Dragonflies (Good and Bad) and Mosquitoes (Definitely Bad)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7-R4XH2egA/V-l4RCAr4uI/AAAAAAAADOg/HpivDsATFEA1d-xoZ0_mrAIBT6rKAiAYwCEw/s1600/bat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7-R4XH2egA/V-l4RCAr4uI/AAAAAAAADOg/HpivDsATFEA1d-xoZ0_mrAIBT6rKAiAYwCEw/s640/bat1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rescued (and shy) Noctule Bat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dragonflies and damselflies have been flying around the smallholding for weeks. From a distance, they're beautiful, like little jewels hanging in the air. I've been watching them in the meadow where the bee hives are kept where they dart around, hunting, their translucent wings glowing with light. But this is the problem - lovely though they are to look at, I think they're hunting my bees.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OvHCTsEEbaA/V-l5ouI-QaI/AAAAAAAADOo/lfxXa-cizFc_TQQdoqL82yCr3zE26dzjACLcB/s1600/blacktailedskimmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OvHCTsEEbaA/V-l5ouI-QaI/AAAAAAAADOo/lfxXa-cizFc_TQQdoqL82yCr3zE26dzjACLcB/s640/blacktailedskimmer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female black tailed skimmer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm not an expert on the different dragonflies, but I'm having a go at the ID. I do know they are fierce little hunters that will use their large, bulging eyes to spot their prey. I think they're probably spotting my bees as they fly to and from the hives, so I really hope my bees are managing to outwit them.<span id="goog_2030941045"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Instead of my bees, I wish the dragonflies could have gone for the numerous mosquitoes we had here during the hot weather. We were under attack for about two or three weeks as they came buzzing in through the open windows at night - possibly from our moat. So I bought some citronella (known to repel mosquitoes) and scattered it everywhere, but I think its effect was limited. It has to be reapplied every few hours. I got tired of the smell soon, too. I thought about a mosquito net, but I really didn't want such an cumbersome and ugly thing hanging up.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cvUOlsBnfq8/V-l53TvUuYI/AAAAAAAADOs/nQhYgeW6O9cg2mET9aOX-YRv_gIkSDaegCEw/s1600/commondarker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cvUOlsBnfq8/V-l53TvUuYI/AAAAAAAADOs/nQhYgeW6O9cg2mET9aOX-YRv_gIkSDaegCEw/s640/commondarker.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common darter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It goes without saying that I'm very lucky I don't live in a malaria area. But a note on this; for a long time Essex (or rather the coastal marshes) was well known for malaria or, as it was known then, the 'ague'. There's one story that illustrates how bad it was - the 'Robinson Crusoe' author Daniel Defoe travelled through Essex in 1722 and he later wrote that when the men of the Essex marshes brought home wives who weren't local, the women would soon sicken of the ague (or they would 'decay' as he put it) and die. The men would then go and find another wife and it would all happen again. And again. According to Defoe, some men had married up to fifteen times (one farmer was on wife number twenty five). This sounds like a huge exaggeration, but there's probably some truth in it, so it's a wonder why these women kept taking the risk by marrying the marsh folk.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuDH0qU0tCs/V-l6HuitKwI/AAAAAAAADOw/UjLn3h2AAgM_h_I6JBgfHYr27TGwjHKnQCEw/s1600/IMG_9051%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuDH0qU0tCs/V-l6HuitKwI/AAAAAAAADOw/UjLn3h2AAgM_h_I6JBgfHYr27TGwjHKnQCEw/s640/IMG_9051%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
No one seems to be sure why the ague began to disappear in the late 19th century, but it may have been down to improvements in medicine. The last outbreak in this part of the world was recorded about a hundred years ago when soldiers from the First World War returned from the Mesopotamian campaign (where they had contracted the disease) to the Isle of Sheppey.<br />
<br />
Anyway, there's no chance of the mosquitoes coming back now the nights are cooler. But it has spurred me on to put up some bat boxes here. Bats hunt insects and they hunt mosquitoes. They're no threat to my bees because my bees won't be flying at night. I've hardly seem any bats around the house this summer and I don't know why, because soprano pipistrelle bats have been here in the past, and I do know they're roosting just over the fields. So I'm going to put up some boxes to encourage them back. Will they control a future plague of mosquitoes? I don't know, but I really hope so.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-48104359730919003592016-09-21T09:34:00.000+01:002016-09-21T09:34:16.666+01:00Bad News about a Nasty Visitor - The Arrival of the Asian Hornet in Britain.Like other British beekeepers, I've been on the look out the<i> </i>Asian hornet <i>(Vespa velutina</i>), which is a particularly nasty alien species. Earlier in the summer, there were scare stories in the press about sightings of this 'killer hornet' in Britain, but fortunately none of these turned out to be true. A few weeks later, though, there was a confirmed sighting in the Channel Islands - and so beekeepers knew that it was just a few miles away from the British mainland.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, it has been confirmed that the Asian hornet has been found in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for asian hornet beekeeping uk" height="230" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRY_JKjUWEr8RenJxCITE_-totbeJ8kgfOhC1On-qZ8w8tajK8lkw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asian hornet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is bad news for honey bees and many other pollinators. European hornets kill honey bees, but these two species have evolved together. Strong honey bee colonies usually survive wasp attacks. The Asian hornet (thought to have entered France in 2004 on pottery from China) is a new and unfamiliar predator that is likely to have a terrible impact on honey bee colonies.<br />
<br />
Asian hornets will attack honey bees as they go to and from the hive. They can kill them when the bees are returning loaded with pollen in their baskets. Then, when the colony is weakened, the hornets will enter the hive and attack the young bees. The Asian hornets can wipe out a honey bee colony very quickly.<br />
<br />
So what can I do to protect my bees? Beekeepers have been encouraged to make special, DIY Asian hornet traps out of plastic bottles. Putting out the usual wasp trap would catch them, but in this case a trap needs to be made so that the Asian hornet can be clearly identified i.e. not the commonly used jam-jar trap that picks up lots of wasps together.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc21te2tPc4/V-G0Ru4Cj5I/AAAAAAAADOM/Yqm36xWVqo4fFoZE2MdxsuswdmB2USZ4QCLcB/s1600/IMG_9070%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc21te2tPc4/V-G0Ru4Cj5I/AAAAAAAADOM/Yqm36xWVqo4fFoZE2MdxsuswdmB2USZ4QCLcB/s400/IMG_9070%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found this European hornets' nest close to my smallholding this summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I generally only put out wasp traps if I think my hives are being attacked (I haven't this year because the wasps haven't been a problem here). I don't want to catch wasps for the sake of it. But now I'll have to put out a wasp trap first of all in the spring, when the Asian hornet queens are about and looking to build a nest - and then keep it out throughout the summer. If I see an Asian hornet, I'll need to notify Defra at once through the Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) at alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk (there is a link to the NNSS on the Asian hornet <a href="http://bit.ly/2clssGL">here</a>)<br />
<br />
I'll also help to locate the nearby nest, although the advice is for the public not to destroy the nests themselves. In Gloucestershire, a three mile surveillance zone has been placed around the original sighting and the nest or nests is/are being sought and destroyed.<br />
<br />
Obviously I hope all the early hornet nests are destroyed at once - and that this nasty visitor doesn't get the chance to survive and spread across the UK.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-77582235552075964542016-09-14T15:19:00.001+01:002016-09-14T15:19:22.302+01:00The Hive at Kew and the Music of Bees<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFDQlxUDO9k/V9hQ5MQUZyI/AAAAAAAADM4/Q7Xt5Kgf5CocG04O3PSPyMsJhMnTHDrywCLcB/s1600/IMG_9093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFDQlxUDO9k/V9hQ5MQUZyI/AAAAAAAADM4/Q7Xt5Kgf5CocG04O3PSPyMsJhMnTHDrywCLcB/s400/IMG_9093.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hive at Kew Gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm completely fascinated by the different sounds and movements honey bees make in the hive. They're constantly communicating with each other, whether it's by the 'waggle dance' (where a returning forager shows the others by a dance where a good source of food is) or whether it's a new queen bee 'piping' (as she emerges from her cell for the first time) or whether it's from the thousands of daily exchanges the bees make with each other that beekeepers see and hear but don't fully understand yet. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KjWBeRPo5k/V9hSo7T39JI/AAAAAAAADNE/Y9_Y3xlLyDo_jwP3QgDws5sm58fcLFoGgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KjWBeRPo5k/V9hSo7T39JI/AAAAAAAADNE/Y9_Y3xlLyDo_jwP3QgDws5sm58fcLFoGgCLcB/s400/IMG_9090.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So when I heard about the Hive at Kew Gardens (designed by artist Wolfgang Buttress), I was very keen to see it as soon as possible. The Hive was opened earlier this summer and I eventually managed fit in a trip last week. Luckily (for me) there was a bit of break in the heatwave on that day and the weather was cooler and fresher - much more pleasant for wandering around the gardens.<br />
<br />
The Hive has been constructed to highlight the importance of honey bees and pollinators to our food security and its design has been inspired by a traditional skep surrounded by a swarm of bees. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Hive is that it's linked to nearby honey bee colonies - and the intensity of sound and light in the structure is controlled by their vibrations.<br />
<br />
This element of the design is based on the pioneering research by Dr Martin Bencsik of Nottingham Trent University into bee vibrations and communications. Dr Bencsik's work investigates the use of accelerometers in bee hives. These tiny devices can detect vibrations within hives as bees communicate and they help to predict behaviour, for example, sensing when bees are about to swarm.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZv2B4I_0Gw/V9hTRHMvobI/AAAAAAAADNI/poFZ3Xc2oqwDirGjLLQY2Afq-OssjUA0QCLcB/s1600/IMG_9099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZv2B4I_0Gw/V9hTRHMvobI/AAAAAAAADNI/poFZ3Xc2oqwDirGjLLQY2Afq-OssjUA0QCLcB/s400/IMG_9099.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Visitors to the Hive are able to feel four types of bee-vibrations in their heads by biting on a small wooden stick connected to a conductor. These vibrations include the queen's piping, begging - when one bee requests food from another, and the waggle dance. The overall sound in the Hive is the hum of a bee hive colony mixed with specially recorded music. This music is based on bees humming in the key of C. I found this gentle sound quite soothing. The only problem was the constant roar of planes flying overhead to Heathrow. I once lived for a while close to Kew Gardens and I'd forgotten how low, loud and distracting the planes are.<br />
<br />
The ever-changing light in the Hive is from hundreds of LED bulbs placed within the 170,000 pieces of aluminium that make up the structure.<br />
<br />
The Hive is surrounded by an area of wildflowers for pollinators, but I was obviously too late in the year to see the best of this, because most of the flowers had finished. The bees were finding plenty of other flowers in the gardens, though, such as these alstroemeria;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILY5ySDrU1s/V9hUsjtCquI/AAAAAAAADNU/-uBLnVBryI03oBK2cOQx4zA0ZLBv39k4gCLcB/s1600/IMG_9105.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILY5ySDrU1s/V9hUsjtCquI/AAAAAAAADNU/-uBLnVBryI03oBK2cOQx4zA0ZLBv39k4gCLcB/s400/IMG_9105.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After leaving the hive I went to look for 'real' bee hives and found them by the kitchen garden. These will be very lucky honey bees; they have so much forage in the gardens here all year round.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kWGMJQq3kAY/V9hUYyUbqCI/AAAAAAAADNQ/agQZ6sr_nRAw-I3nYUVFheJ1FQb-zUjtACLcB/s1600/IMG_9116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kWGMJQq3kAY/V9hUYyUbqCI/AAAAAAAADNQ/agQZ6sr_nRAw-I3nYUVFheJ1FQb-zUjtACLcB/s400/IMG_9116.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honey bee and bumblebee hives at Kew. These colonies aren't linked to the Hive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I do believe, then, that the Hive is worth a visit. I know I found it interesting to experience the behaviour of bees through a piece of art. The Hive also reminded me, once again, of the natural beauty of bees and how there's so much more to discover about them.<br />
<br />
Here is a link to information on the Hive <a href="http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/explore/attractions/hive">here</a> It'll be open until the end of 2017.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-62722065374123444712016-09-06T11:50:00.000+01:002016-09-06T11:50:33.168+01:00After the Harvests and the Apple Thief<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm7uUB8ovLU/V86RgrS_BRI/AAAAAAAADMU/Z9irHIL3rMkZbZmuVi4qjDi4Ce-Tg9ENgCEw/s1600/twomorebeesagain.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm7uUB8ovLU/V86RgrS_BRI/AAAAAAAADMU/Z9irHIL3rMkZbZmuVi4qjDi4Ce-Tg9ENgCEw/s640/twomorebeesagain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The honey harvest is over. I've taken all the honey I want from the hives and I'm now pouring it into jars, ready for sale. I'm not greedy; I've only taken a fraction of the honey I could take because I like to leave a lot for the bees. After all, this honey is the result of their hard work - not mine - and I don't want to raid all their food because they need it for winter stores.<br />
<br />
I've been fascinated by this year's honey because it's much darker than usual. I'm really not sure what the bees have been foraging on, but they've loved something flowering locally that has produced honey with a deep, rich colour. And it's not only my bees that have been heading to and from this mystery source. I've been talking to a fellow beekeeper in the village and she's found exactly the same in her hives. We're both very keen to find out now where the honey has come from.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yhgqfttWNng/V86Rai3e2eI/AAAAAAAADMU/2raOI2Wj1UMDEAkj5H4lFVxm-u3t0OdygCEw/s1600/IMG_8966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yhgqfttWNng/V86Rai3e2eI/AAAAAAAADMU/2raOI2Wj1UMDEAkj5H4lFVxm-u3t0OdygCEw/s640/IMG_8966.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year's honey ready to be extracted from the comb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The dark colour can sometimes mean it's honeydew honey. Honeydew is a sugary liquid secreted by sap-sucking insects on leaves - and honeydew honey has a strong, slightly bitter flavour. As my honey is not as dark and is sweeter than this honey, I'm still none the wiser as to where it's come from.<br />
<br />
So I'll just have look into what my bees have been up to this summer. In the meantime, they're foraging quite happily now with the bumblebees on some late summer flowers, such as single-flower dahlias, helenium, japanese anemones and verbana.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VH-esoznXlg/V86Rrn9iR2I/AAAAAAAADMU/5U70_oivd64ifUl97RJybxbiDkaRSlHTgCEw/s1600/IMG_8983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VH-esoznXlg/V86Rrn9iR2I/AAAAAAAADMU/5U70_oivd64ifUl97RJybxbiDkaRSlHTgCEw/s640/IMG_8983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The other harvest has also taken place in the surrounding fields and we've collected bales of fresh straw from a local farmer for animal bedding. I love the smell of fresh straw; it's a smell of late summer. The straw is now stacked in the barn with our winter logs. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ytITNmfM8rY/V86R7FdxT-I/AAAAAAAADMU/PrQuewg_-qgWG5lGdQMUWv5h_kEtI2lYgCEw/s1600/IMG_8994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ytITNmfM8rY/V86R7FdxT-I/AAAAAAAADMU/PrQuewg_-qgWG5lGdQMUWv5h_kEtI2lYgCEw/s640/IMG_8994.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straw and logs stored for winter - and Harry watching a rabbit hole </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the garden, we're picking plenty of vegetables such as tomatoes and courgettes, so there are lots of tomato and courgette-based meals here at the moment. Some of the apples are ready to pick, too, but we've found we have a problem with our apple harvest, because apples in our new orchard are disappearing almost as fast as they're ripening. Why is this happening? Well, it seems we have a thief among us - and I've been watching him try his luck.<br />
<br />
This is the technique. First of all try and knock the young tree to loosen the apples - and act casually, as though you're not up to anything...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ChrZ-oyuWo/V86TJQ1-jlI/AAAAAAAADMk/7zQe5xshwI8IHZ9ynjBM2ZrTl4XC1w9sgCEw/s1600/IMG_6869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ChrZ-oyuWo/V86TJQ1-jlI/AAAAAAAADMk/7zQe5xshwI8IHZ9ynjBM2ZrTl4XC1w9sgCEw/s640/IMG_6869.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Then rub up against a tree, which might be more successful...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-ZWk6nTEe0/V86Sd3AsWnI/AAAAAAAADMo/a-y-IHViSywj6a5G5v9HAjTiJhhxHhPqwCEw/s1600/IMG_9065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-ZWk6nTEe0/V86Sd3AsWnI/AAAAAAAADMo/a-y-IHViSywj6a5G5v9HAjTiJhhxHhPqwCEw/s640/IMG_9065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Gaze up at the tree for inspiration...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsZcrTXuE9M/V86Sjb_lTeI/AAAAAAAADMo/xZiN14vb7yQspQ7kl6RIq6MMXqRjj_6mgCEw/s1600/IMG_9066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsZcrTXuE9M/V86Sjb_lTeI/AAAAAAAADMo/xZiN14vb7yQspQ7kl6RIq6MMXqRjj_6mgCEw/s640/IMG_9066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Then just take a leap...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zowwmoFUUU/V86Sy2hBDuI/AAAAAAAADMo/XAuphMyss14lJlZQaCDPPQPD_EHeqWlmgCEw/s1600/IMG_9068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zowwmoFUUU/V86Sy2hBDuI/AAAAAAAADMo/XAuphMyss14lJlZQaCDPPQPD_EHeqWlmgCEw/s640/IMG_9068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And success. you've grabbed an apple!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZucnRUUBNUs/V86S-lJy-EI/AAAAAAAADMo/t-dTsoZcK6oKnBmPsLt4jKRSu0KKm0FrQCEw/s1600/IMG_9069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZucnRUUBNUs/V86S-lJy-EI/AAAAAAAADMo/t-dTsoZcK6oKnBmPsLt4jKRSu0KKm0FrQCEw/s640/IMG_9069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a good job the other sheep aren't following his bad example, otherwise I don't think we'd have any apples left.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-408662355130453732016-08-23T21:49:00.000+01:002016-08-23T21:49:42.832+01:00Visiting Old Knobbley (an Ancient Oak) and Julie's House<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K-QcLlJxNAA/V7xoH822YzI/AAAAAAAADLA/wiOVR-eqtiYqfSrrnlllmP9CzOpjzGKpgCLcB/s1600/oldk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K-QcLlJxNAA/V7xoH822YzI/AAAAAAAADLA/wiOVR-eqtiYqfSrrnlllmP9CzOpjzGKpgCLcB/s640/oldk1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Knobbley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm not having a holiday this year - and I'm starting to miss going away just about now, when the weather's very hot and I feel like an excuse to not do very much with the day. Perhaps it's also because the garden and the trees are looking a bit tired in the heat and in need of some pepping up, too. We had a brief glimpse here of autumn just last weekend, with strong winds and a bit of rain, and although it passed very quickly it does feel like summer is coming to an end. So I think I'm ready to go away, have a break and then come back and look at the smallholding with fresh eyes, ready for a new season.<br />
<br />
But that's not going to happen. Instead of a holiday, David and I are having a handful of days out. It's not the same of course, but it is an excuse to go somewhere different for the day, to relax and to have a good lunch! We had the first of these days at the very end of July, and we spent part of it visiting Old Knobbley and Julie's house.<br />
<br />
These two couldn't be more different from each other. Old Knobbley is an ancient oak, about 600-800 years old, and Julie's house is...well...a modern house (or piece of art depending on your view). But they're geographically very close to each other in north Essex, so both can be visited in a couple of hours.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gpHbmK2rl7g/V7xpJXi3o5I/AAAAAAAADLQ/Wgsqdauyy7sdAfOFVmwQlHNLD21X6h0rwCEw/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gpHbmK2rl7g/V7xpJXi3o5I/AAAAAAAADLQ/Wgsqdauyy7sdAfOFVmwQlHNLD21X6h0rwCEw/s640/034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Knobbley's trunk, close up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Old Knobbley is a wonderful tree. Like other ancient oaks, it's losing its heartwood and it looks like it may have been hollowed out by a fungus (essentially it's been eaten from the inside). It was pollarded in its youth and has survived a fire at one time. It's also surrounded by other trees and so there's a danger that these will crowd it out and stop it receiving the sunlight it needs to survive. Fortunately, the local community and the local council are aware of this (there are many people caring for this special tree). Old Knobbley is a local celebrity; it has its own website and Facebook page, a book has been written about it and numerous paintings made of it. It has also come second in a 'Britain's favourite tree' contest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I love oaks (who doesn't?) and all ancient trees, and I'd long wanted to see this one. If Old Knobbley is 800 years old, then it came from an acorn dropped in the early Middle Ages, perhaps around the time the Magna Carta was being signed. I find that incredible.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNC8BxvyX-Y/V7xqRW6UMJI/AAAAAAAADLU/iIq8-lvKxmEaykjyTbM8HFErss5I_sYvACLcB/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNC8BxvyX-Y/V7xqRW6UMJI/AAAAAAAADLU/iIq8-lvKxmEaykjyTbM8HFErss5I_sYvACLcB/s640/046.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie's House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After visiting the ancient and gnarled Old Knobbley, we went to see the shiny and new Julie's house - a fantasy house created by artist Grayson Perry. Grayson Perry is Essex born and bred, and has created a back-story for the house based around a fictional Essex woman called Julie. It's been described as a shrine, a secular chapel, a folly, a fairy-tale house and a 'ginger bread' house.<br />
<br />
It has artwork inside, which unfortunately we didn't see as it's closed to visitors. So we just had a good look at the outside of the house. This is covered in images that look like ancient female fertility statuettes. I did think it missed something - and realised that this was Grayson Perry himself. Really, he should have been there to explain it all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Nl2n3rl6xc/V7xqyJBM_bI/AAAAAAAADLY/TpUxHxM3JD0dwBWQylZZRhQe9N03ew6ZACLcB/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Nl2n3rl6xc/V7xqyJBM_bI/AAAAAAAADLY/TpUxHxM3JD0dwBWQylZZRhQe9N03ew6ZACLcB/s640/063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1NX6JenD7s/V7xrMv0D3UI/AAAAAAAADLg/sfSAnPryer0iMl3GBi8iW5Kvb34ZRmoYwCLcB/s1600/062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1NX6JenD7s/V7xrMv0D3UI/AAAAAAAADLg/sfSAnPryer0iMl3GBi8iW5Kvb34ZRmoYwCLcB/s640/062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I've no idea if the house would be practical to live in (people have been able to enter a ballot to stay in it as a holiday home). I imagine, from photos I've seen of the decor, it's a bit loud to say the least. It won't age as beautifully as Old Knobbley has done and I wonder if it will it last as long? I do like, though, the wild meadow garden to one side (or is it the front?) which should be great for pollinators.<br />
<br />
In any case, it's certainly a fun house for today; truly eccentric and very unique.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-42157320481730679532016-08-20T16:39:00.000+01:002016-08-20T16:39:08.950+01:00Weeks of Computer Problems with an Absence from BlogsMy old computer has been dying slowly over the past few weeks and although I tried hard to revive it, it eventually gave up altogether. So I went computer shopping, bought a new one, set it up etc etc. All this means that late July's blog post is still unposted (the photos wouldn't load) and I haven't been able to follow other blogs. It's been frustrating, to say the least.<br />
<br />
But now I'm looking forward to catching up soon. In the meantime, as it happens to be World Honey Bee Day, here is a photo of one of these wonderful little creatures on some fleabane, out now of course and loved by bees, butterflies and moths x<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnDHP5BRWqk/V7h1457-1CI/AAAAAAAADKg/R9huuR4-77Qd85bP_d1AxzOtHfk7DhN7ACLcB/s1600/beeonfeverfew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnDHP5BRWqk/V7h1457-1CI/AAAAAAAADKg/R9huuR4-77Qd85bP_d1AxzOtHfk7DhN7ACLcB/s640/beeonfeverfew.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-62066845157759567412016-07-10T20:28:00.000+01:002016-07-10T20:28:20.442+01:00Lambs, Lavender and Robber Bees<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IexWFEDfE4U/V4KDjZdUOcI/AAAAAAAADKE/-L4s7lH8fy0tJqKHDcJiTJ9VRP9jls4ogCKgB/s1600/new%2Blambs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IexWFEDfE4U/V4KDjZdUOcI/AAAAAAAADKE/-L4s7lH8fy0tJqKHDcJiTJ9VRP9jls4ogCKgB/s640/new%2Blambs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The new lawnmowers have arrived! I haven't named them yet, so they're still known as 'the lambs'. They settled into the flock at once and have already guessed that I mean food (they've been getting treats). They're always getting separated and will call for ages across the field, until they work out how to reach each other again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YbNfYVelcms/V4KDgeBl8LI/AAAAAAAADKA/ifh9boAJc5sZh2b0VWMYG1UX7CkJ-WVFwCKgB/s1600/lambsgin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YbNfYVelcms/V4KDgeBl8LI/AAAAAAAADKA/ifh9boAJc5sZh2b0VWMYG1UX7CkJ-WVFwCKgB/s640/lambsgin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We have a mix of ages now in the flock, from our ancient sheep (a stiff and ambling fourteen years) to these new lambs (just over four months). But it's not the sheep but the bees that are preoccupying me at the moment, because I suspect that one colony is robbing the other. Why do I think this? Because I've been watching my two hives closely and observed a few key signs. Firstly, that one hive doesn't have much food - even though there is a healthy, foraging colony in there - while the colony next to it is doing very well. This colony has always been strong and brought in plenty of food, but I believe they've been topping up their stores with stolen honey from raids next door.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t70rAzhbW7A/V4JcfOr_jlI/AAAAAAAADJU/YSay0DNJAt4-kbpgc54hboUuQM_a3i-1ACLcB/s1600/robber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t70rAzhbW7A/V4JcfOr_jlI/AAAAAAAADJU/YSay0DNJAt4-kbpgc54hboUuQM_a3i-1ACLcB/s640/robber.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The main clue that robbing is going on is from my observations of the 'robbed' colony. The 'home' bees are flying directly in to the entrance unchallenged, but there are also bees that are flying in a sort of zigzag motion before the hive. These are the robbers looking for an opportunity to get by the guard bees at the entrance. Sometimes they'll get caught and a fight will follow, but often they're getting through the defences and into the hive.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8TVf5dskhY4/V4JchiiRT3I/AAAAAAAADJY/zwtZ4jBpX9YKgOewMpYWjUnsjUFXDf3VQCKgB/s1600/beessssss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8TVf5dskhY4/V4JchiiRT3I/AAAAAAAADJY/zwtZ4jBpX9YKgOewMpYWjUnsjUFXDf3VQCKgB/s640/beessssss.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So what can I do? It's very difficult to stop robbing once a colony gets the habit and I wonder whether this began when the 'robbed' hive was knocked over in the spring and their stores were exposed. I have to do something, anyway, otherwise the 'robbed' colony could eventually lose heart, give up and decline. So I'm going to begin by reducing the entrance of the 'robbed' hive to one bee space, which means it'll be more easy to defend. I'm also going to try something I've only just read about, which is to cover the hive with a wet sheet. Apparently, the 'home' bees will find a way in under the sheet, but the robber bees are put off by it. I hope it works, because not only are these poor bees facing robber bees, but before the month is out, they'll have to contend with aggressive wasps, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6vDuW3lG6cg/V4KBXRcBOsI/AAAAAAAADJo/WktWT3gENFEHg9eMvcgIUeue0v62he2bQCLcB/s1600/beeonlave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6vDuW3lG6cg/V4KBXRcBOsI/AAAAAAAADJo/WktWT3gENFEHg9eMvcgIUeue0v62he2bQCLcB/s640/beeonlave.jpg" width="616" /></a></div>
<br />
When all my bees are foraging beyond the apiary, they're finding the lavender we have in the garden. Last year we planted lots of both butterfly and English lavender before the house so that the bees can forage on the butterfly lavender in May and June - and then they can move onto the English lavender in July and August. Lavender is one of the best bee plants - it's great for honey bees, bumblebees and solitary bees. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b8NixZ5ZyXE/V4KB1BBhQRI/AAAAAAAADJs/ZAqbxwBMrt03wEcQzXveBc8kAnJ62KIWgCLcB/s1600/bumblelavender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b8NixZ5ZyXE/V4KB1BBhQRI/AAAAAAAADJs/ZAqbxwBMrt03wEcQzXveBc8kAnJ62KIWgCLcB/s640/bumblelavender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Other insects love lavender too, such as this painted lady butterfly<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aTc-4fcmTQ/V4KCB1FgYsI/AAAAAAAADJw/XHUsXrIEyi0DvES6W8ws2d2U3lXLHgb7gCLcB/s1600/painted%2Bladylavender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aTc-4fcmTQ/V4KCB1FgYsI/AAAAAAAADJw/XHUsXrIEyi0DvES6W8ws2d2U3lXLHgb7gCLcB/s640/painted%2Bladylavender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Some of the birds are also interested in it. They're welcome there - as long as they don't destroy the plants!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5ab6w4bZbc/V4KCVI1zo_I/AAAAAAAADJ0/DxnzaaqXB_sUwlgcR3rmkVIirblFYyWKgCLcB/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5ab6w4bZbc/V4KCVI1zo_I/AAAAAAAADJ0/DxnzaaqXB_sUwlgcR3rmkVIirblFYyWKgCLcB/s640/006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I also spotted these new visitors by the lavender bushes last week. I don't know where they've come from but it can't have been far because the ducklings are so small.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJVQnAiNOa4/V4KEx9AkhQI/AAAAAAAADKU/LLYZQ34zZFglBkFxUYNFahuhKn-Xi_bAQCKgB/s1600/ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJVQnAiNOa4/V4KEx9AkhQI/AAAAAAAADKU/LLYZQ34zZFglBkFxUYNFahuhKn-Xi_bAQCKgB/s640/ducks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They were last seen wandering along the lane towards next door's orchard, where there's lots of long grass that should give them plenty of cover and, hopefully, keep them safe. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-62517361555967534932016-06-19T09:58:00.000+01:002016-06-19T09:58:29.417+01:00Summer Meadows: Wildflowers, Butterflies, Bees and Moths<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyRDulJnNjM/V2RfTo7mWGI/AAAAAAAADGs/EMG0Ratb9l0J9H91FHJRms9BMLFLbLrrwCLcB/s1600/bluebutters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyRDulJnNjM/V2RfTo7mWGI/AAAAAAAADGs/EMG0Ratb9l0J9H91FHJRms9BMLFLbLrrwCLcB/s640/bluebutters.jpg" width="616" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common blue butterflies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Where I live is arable country, and there aren't too many traditional, flower-rich meadows left. I knew the local landscape had changed hugely since the second world war but I didn't realise exactly how much until I came across some statistics recently. Essex is a county that has an above average loss of wildflower meadows - it's reportedly lost 99% of wildflower meadows since 1945 (that's 99% in the lifetime of many people living today, an incredible stat to think about) and it's losing 0.61 flowers every year. The main reasons are (unsurprisingly) intensive farming and development.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhm6xlk-QvM/V2Rf2t5NR0I/AAAAAAAADG0/sExM-iP_fk4KHGDsmdNsDt4bK2ZRap_GwCLcB/s1600/common%2Bspotted%2Borchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhm6xlk-QvM/V2Rf2t5NR0I/AAAAAAAADG0/sExM-iP_fk4KHGDsmdNsDt4bK2ZRap_GwCLcB/s640/common%2Bspotted%2Borchid.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common spotted orchids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some of the flower-rich meadows that are left are under the care of the local Wildlife Trust - and it's an area of these meadows I like to go and wander through when they look their best, which is now, in June. I appreciate them even more now I know how many have been lost to the local countryside.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2J6WrgvyuU/V2RgJPbblaI/AAAAAAAADHA/hvgHcUD0e1gfmGHNS0W08RF0polgpNGfACKgB/s1600/wildflower%2Bmeadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2J6WrgvyuU/V2RgJPbblaI/AAAAAAAADHA/hvgHcUD0e1gfmGHNS0W08RF0polgpNGfACKgB/s640/wildflower%2Bmeadow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A local meadow of wildflowers including common spotted orchids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They are such peaceful places. I could happily spend hours in them just investigating all the flowers and the insects. I always come away from them so relaxed. I really don't need a session in a spa to unwind - just an afternoon in a wildflower meadow in June!<br />
<br />
The flowers I found there include common spotted orchids, southern marsh orchids, ragged robin, and yellow rattle, which is a bee-magnet,<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DFyPF48tuG4/V2RgovVpAjI/AAAAAAAADHM/p6kiDTn6vO4IogeBO8bvRLHC1DpnR4segCLcB/s1600/beerattle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DFyPF48tuG4/V2RgovVpAjI/AAAAAAAADHM/p6kiDTn6vO4IogeBO8bvRLHC1DpnR4segCLcB/s640/beerattle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Carder Bee on Yellow Rattle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are also several types of butterflies such as common blues, small heaths and green hairstreaks;<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z0zM3xojPX0/V2RivB20MOI/AAAAAAAADH4/uHxKpdoo-mQkVhz_SCliZXro74pU8mwDACLcB/s1600/greeny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z0zM3xojPX0/V2RivB20MOI/AAAAAAAADH4/uHxKpdoo-mQkVhz_SCliZXro74pU8mwDACLcB/s640/greeny.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green hairstreak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And there are moths flying about too, including cinnabars, yellow shell and silver y;<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSNEytHT39I/V2RiH80ta0I/AAAAAAAADIA/M68lQrD_CIImNVBqePAtuL9N4QdsI-V5gCKgB/s1600/yellow%2Bshell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSNEytHT39I/V2RiH80ta0I/AAAAAAAADIA/M68lQrD_CIImNVBqePAtuL9N4QdsI-V5gCKgB/s640/yellow%2Bshell.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow shell moth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O41aLBkg0Kc/V2VjsG56ylI/AAAAAAAADIM/5mmeB08jKoUYf11RicszFMR8lJ_Gzun9ACLcB/s1600/silvery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O41aLBkg0Kc/V2VjsG56ylI/AAAAAAAADIM/5mmeB08jKoUYf11RicszFMR8lJ_Gzun9ACLcB/s640/silvery.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Y</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A few years ago I tried to cultivate my own mini cornflower meadow on the smallholding. I knew the bees would love it. But although this mini-meadow was beautiful one year (the second year), I found it too much hard work to maintain. Our soil is very fertile and nettles, docks and grasses quickly take over. When we bought our land it'd been left to grow wild, but the previous owner had once kept pigs on part of it and I imagine that in its history it's been used for livestock and vegetable/crop growing, so the soil has been continually enriched.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YtEyiSWja7E/V2Zdg_iTOqI/AAAAAAAADIw/K6rZTgi70XoprQx-Ypl77Ten_oCd69znACLcB/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YtEyiSWja7E/V2Zdg_iTOqI/AAAAAAAADIw/K6rZTgi70XoprQx-Ypl77Ten_oCd69znACLcB/s640/024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beehives nearly smothered by grasses and ferns after just a few days of rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The yellow rattle I saw above is used to control vigorous grasses in wildflower meadows. A semi-parasitic plant, it feeds off the nutrients in the grasses that threaten to swamp everything else. But I'd need a lot of yellow rattle to do well here - and I wonder if would it thrive in the soil <i>and</i> tackle the nettles? (I'll be watching Caroline's lovely blog Ragged Robin's Nature Notes <a href="http://raggedrobinsnaturenotes.blogspot.co.uk/">here</a> where yellow rattle has been planted, to see if it does just that. )<br />
<br />
Despite the difficulties, I do have small areas where some wildflowers are spreading. There's a meadow adjoining us where there are a few wildflowers and some, such as bird's-foot trefoil, are spilling out onto our land. Foxgloves have sprung up everywhere, too, including in the hedge;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FtljfdQgEWc/V2Vm_a_gXBI/AAAAAAAADIY/7z5QrQVzvWM61MrGZgqyD3mzf3LkIhrHQCLcB/s1600/foxyglvoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FtljfdQgEWc/V2Vm_a_gXBI/AAAAAAAADIY/7z5QrQVzvWM61MrGZgqyD3mzf3LkIhrHQCLcB/s640/foxyglvoes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I love the way the wildflowers bring in the wildlife. The herb robert I have growing around the house has done this. When it first appeared, I decided to just leave it alone because it mixes in well with the geraniums (and the rose). It's now recently gone to seed and I'm thrilled to see that this seed is attracting a pair of bullfinches; a bird I've been so keen to attract here. No photos of them yet as I've only seen them through the window, but I hope to get some soon.<br />
<br />
And maybe one day I'll discover a wildflower growing on my own land that isn't common for this part of the world. If I did, I'd be over the moon!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-85551842680606901022016-06-04T11:27:00.001+01:002016-06-04T11:27:47.489+01:00Swallows in the Kitchen and Putting up Swift Boxes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsZSG0DqObg/V1IEBHH2lUI/AAAAAAAADE4/EHbbkpWkKAc2aeqWr0B86ZovROLLfhocACLcB/s1600/swallow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsZSG0DqObg/V1IEBHH2lUI/AAAAAAAADE4/EHbbkpWkKAc2aeqWr0B86ZovROLLfhocACLcB/s640/swallow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When we converted our barn to our home, we forgot to tell the local swallows. Not that swallows have ever nested in the barn (they're well catered for in the old barns along the lane) but they do like to play around it. They have aerial games of catch just above it, where one drops a feather and another one picks it up (the adults play at this when they first arrive back here in the spring). And over the years, the swallows have also liked to investigate the barn by swooping in and out of it.<br />
<br />
But now the barn is a house, there can't be any more playing in there!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NVU9YX-3c5M/V1IEWybzpuI/AAAAAAAADFA/0sVHQYmZWQoz9-1r3Hiea_ATpsfMzsHagCLcB/s1600/swallowsummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NVU9YX-3c5M/V1IEWybzpuI/AAAAAAAADFA/0sVHQYmZWQoz9-1r3Hiea_ATpsfMzsHagCLcB/s400/swallowsummer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The newly arrived swallows haven't realised this, of course - and twice recently a playing pair have flown right inside when the kitchen door has been wide open. The last time this happened, I was gardening just outside and the birds flew straight over my head and into the kitchen. In folklore, a swallow in the house means 'joy'. Well, that may be so, but I only saw chaos! The two birds flew around chattering and trying to find their way out. One found managed it quickly, but I had to rescue the other one.<br />
<br />
<br />
I held the bird for a moment before releasing it. It's incredible to think that not long before it had just flown all the way back from Africa. What a wonderful little creature it is.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1YO8yY39omc/V1KaY0Y4TTI/AAAAAAAADGc/lEDhAs0wCtgYiU_Fkcy0sj5Ec3R7hcyBQCLcB/s1600/swallowsss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1YO8yY39omc/V1KaY0Y4TTI/AAAAAAAADGc/lEDhAs0wCtgYiU_Fkcy0sj5Ec3R7hcyBQCLcB/s400/swallowsss.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I'd love to have swallows nesting on the smallholding, but as they seem happy with various sites around here I believe it's other birds that need the help - like the returning swifts. Increasingly, old houses with eaves where they can nest are being pulled down - and these are being replaced with new (ironically) environmentally friendly houses that don't accommodate them. And even in the older houses, local householders are putting up wires and nets to prevent birds nesting there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsP_42Jy98w/V1KUdNzfkPI/AAAAAAAADGU/mIWgpO4_M18_fLI3mCfQsggHL2gFitwXgCKgB/s1600/baby%2Bswallow%2Bor%2Bmartin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsP_42Jy98w/V1KUdNzfkPI/AAAAAAAADGU/mIWgpO4_M18_fLI3mCfQsggHL2gFitwXgCKgB/s400/baby%2Bswallow%2Bor%2Bmartin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In the past, people were obviously far more relaxed about living with birds nesting in their roof. Gilbert White, the eighteenth century naturalist wrote in 1778 of his village in Hampshire:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i>"The swallows and martins are so numerous and so widely distributed over the village, that it is hardly possible to count them; while the swifts....about half of which reside in the church, and the rest build in some of the lowest and meanest thatched cottages."</i><br />
<br />
It seems that even ordinary folk in their humble cottages accepted these birds in the roof.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAj6g39sfqk/V1IF3H9IjGI/AAAAAAAADFk/EbKCXySiXpMSTN0HRy-fe_TZJQwsCiGdgCLcB/s1600/martins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAj6g39sfqk/V1IF3H9IjGI/AAAAAAAADFk/EbKCXySiXpMSTN0HRy-fe_TZJQwsCiGdgCLcB/s400/martins.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotting house martins nesting last year on a murky day in Cornwall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My local community's attitude to birds' nests and houses has only recently changed. I remember as a child house martins nesting next door and sparrows nesting under our roof. But I don't know of any house martins nesting around me now, despite living in a village full of old buildings - and I only know of two buildings in this area where swifts are nesting (one of these is a church, the other the old, converted workhouse building).<br />
<br />
So to help the swifts, I've put up some nest boxes on our house.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8S8Onf2-DmM/V1IFHvF-tSI/AAAAAAAADFY/wNm8S3ZRHXIhxtoDFeonoBB2SprjSEdOwCLcB/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8S8Onf2-DmM/V1IFHvF-tSI/AAAAAAAADFY/wNm8S3ZRHXIhxtoDFeonoBB2SprjSEdOwCLcB/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
To tempt them in, I've been advised to play a CD of swift calls because swifts like to nest where other swifts are already nesting. I wasn't sure about playing this, but it's actually very soothing to listen to - a bit like listening to a recording of the dawn chorus. I play it from the bedroom window in a short burst on fine evenings and passing swifts coming in from the fields do seem interested. High up in the sky, they fly around for a bit when it's playing (this makes me feel like a sort of Pied Piper.) I won't tempt swifts to change nest sites (they are very loyal to their sites) but I hope to interest those who are looking for somewhere new to nest, particularly young swifts looking for next year. These amazing birds will remember potential nest sites when they come back from Africa in the spring.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6X6SJ6f9z04/V1IEvcbA16I/AAAAAAAADFM/ha0bHc8iwJw8_EWkoInK57_io2UQauTxgCKgB/s1600/swift2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6X6SJ6f9z04/V1IEvcbA16I/AAAAAAAADFM/ha0bHc8iwJw8_EWkoInK57_io2UQauTxgCKgB/s400/swift2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopefully with Swifts nesting at home I'll manage better photos of them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the other side of the house, we've put up nest boxes for sparrows. We only have a couple of sparrows here in the lane, and I hope that providing a nest site will help increase their number. But this year the sparrows haven't nested there. Instead, they've been commandeered by something else altogether..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPfp3y-s7tU/V1IGEjCtRxI/AAAAAAAADFs/RstYkIQH3lAKBmp4852sYXElV3KgJsO0QCLcB/s1600/sparrowblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPfp3y-s7tU/V1IGEjCtRxI/AAAAAAAADFs/RstYkIQH3lAKBmp4852sYXElV3KgJsO0QCLcB/s400/sparrowblue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We have lots of blue tit boxes here, but obviously this pair found the sparrow box much more desirable. The young must be ready to fledge because they're at that noisy (and inquisitive) stage where they keep sticking their heads out the nest hole.<br />
<br />
But next year, hopefully, the sparrows will find the box instead.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-60903225120070921432016-05-18T17:22:00.001+01:002016-05-18T17:50:37.583+01:00In May... Orchids, Bees and Lambs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luvu8Gn-gb8/VznNtDS5iKI/AAAAAAAADBU/UDWYTzWW-XYI4X3kOwOMWME1Gbjb_R-rwCLcB/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luvu8Gn-gb8/VznNtDS5iKI/AAAAAAAADBU/UDWYTzWW-XYI4X3kOwOMWME1Gbjb_R-rwCLcB/s640/046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Green-winged orchids have been flowering in a local meadow. At first glance, the meadow looks as if there's only grass growing there. But on closer inspection, there's a purple sheen over the grass. These are the orchids.<br />
<br />
When I wandered through the meadow last week, I wanted to see if they were green-winged orchids (anacamptis morio) rather than early-purple orchids (orchis mascula - also flowering now). I did this by looking at the leaves. The leaves of the green-winged orchids don't have the blotches that are found on the leaves of the early-purple orchids. The petals are different, too. The green-winged orchid has a 'hood' with a pattern of lines, like veins.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3d_xgn5WEM/VzxeZp50lwI/AAAAAAAADBs/7iVC1rf4UtoT7MDNpKR6y7vIWEjz3TLIgCLcB/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3d_xgn5WEM/VzxeZp50lwI/AAAAAAAADBs/7iVC1rf4UtoT7MDNpKR6y7vIWEjz3TLIgCLcB/s640/033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The green-winged orchid grows in traditional meadows and grassland, and as there isn't much of that around here now, they're becoming less common. Fortunately, there are some local initiatives to encourage them, so hopefully these beautiful flowers will continue to grow in this part of the world.<br />
<br />
There were also bees buzzing in the meadow, but I think most of my honeybees are still on the oilseed rape. Some of the bees, though, are bringing in pollen that could be hawthorn.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7C3BUQlV60w/VzxgmTD7QwI/AAAAAAAADCI/boBd9UixGZwiDIcrVm_vizEOzFn-ucMRQCLcB/s1600/hawthorn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7C3BUQlV60w/VzxgmTD7QwI/AAAAAAAADCI/boBd9UixGZwiDIcrVm_vizEOzFn-ucMRQCLcB/s640/hawthorn1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I can see hawthorn flowering everywhere at the moment, but I have mixed feelings about the smell of it. I like that it reminds me of this time of year (and it's also known as the May Tree) but it's not the most pleasant smell in the world. In the Middle Ages, it was thought that this blossom smelled like the Great Plague and that bringing it into the house would bring illness and death. But Medieval folk must have also loved hawthorn as it was at the heart of May Day celebrations (maypoles were made of it, the green man had a wreath of it).<br />
<br />
I love hawthorn, too. It's a beautiful, native tree and great for wildlife, although it's an unreliable source of bee-food. Apparently, the weather conditions have to be right for the bees to take something from it.<br />
<br />
My bees are also on the horse chestnut. The lovely, white candles are out and the bees are bringing in a brick-red pollen from them, which looks quite striking in the comb.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHDPT4V2lQo/VzxiRkktMmI/AAAAAAAADCU/fOTwZlATIbonkbXIxH4Kis0sZzj-YOAeQCLcB/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHDPT4V2lQo/VzxiRkktMmI/AAAAAAAADCU/fOTwZlATIbonkbXIxH4Kis0sZzj-YOAeQCLcB/s640/006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The horse chestnut candles are fascinating; as the flower develops a yellow blotch on the lower petals changes colour from orange to pink. When the flower has been pollinated the blotch turns red, and as bees can't see the colour red, they are no longer attracted to the flower (in other words, it's a signal from the flower to the bee that it's already been pollinated).<br />
<br />
We have many, mature horse chestnuts around us here, and we also planted one on the smallholding about sixteen years ago. Although the horse chestnut isn't native (and was introduced to the UK in the seventeenth century), I think it's a wonderful addition to the countryside.<br />
<br />
Also on the smallholding, here are a couple of the sights I've enjoyed this May...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4S6UL4X5s-I/Vzxl9IzYI9I/AAAAAAAADDI/doKTKO8wRWMlF7G8wf34FfXKBD7MCHJ3ACKgB/s1600/bumblegeum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4S6UL4X5s-I/Vzxl9IzYI9I/AAAAAAAADDI/doKTKO8wRWMlF7G8wf34FfXKBD7MCHJ3ACKgB/s640/bumblegeum.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geum in flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zZl19Q4D3sk/VzxipKzOVvI/AAAAAAAADCY/mesu7vESFaEV66jLDihBO-nMbEu5laF6QCLcB/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zZl19Q4D3sk/VzxipKzOVvI/AAAAAAAADCY/mesu7vESFaEV66jLDihBO-nMbEu5laF6QCLcB/s640/021.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange tip butterflies - this is a female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And the cuckoos have returned. That is, I've heard cuckoos but not seen one on the smallholding. There are (it seems) two cuckoos calling around here this spring, but they're not close, and now all the leaves have come out they're hidden in the trees anyway. So the only photo I've been able to take is of a distant one calling...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RzhvAXXHKRw/VzxjBYP70KI/AAAAAAAADCg/LcqsCHZd_yk96M40GzqYGoWlJSoZWsggACLcB/s1600/082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RzhvAXXHKRw/VzxjBYP70KI/AAAAAAAADCg/LcqsCHZd_yk96M40GzqYGoWlJSoZWsggACLcB/s640/082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And finally, our lambs are growing up fast. We visited the breeder not long ago to see how they were getting on. It won't be long until they'll join our small flock where - if they're like their Ryeland cousins - they won't stop eating. I've never seen anything like it. The Suffolks and the Cheviot haven't eaten half as much, but our two Ryelands are <i>always</i> eating When we visited the breeder, three of the lambs came up to her van at once looking for food...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dv39klWiJV8/VzxkYHRqmBI/AAAAAAAADCw/LCva7XwvvTo5bE2tivwmLBBE3q43iKvQQCKgB/s1600/3lambs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dv39klWiJV8/VzxkYHRqmBI/AAAAAAAADCw/LCva7XwvvTo5bE2tivwmLBBE3q43iKvQQCKgB/s640/3lambs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Three again watching my camera (is it food?!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JU1zZXXqmz8/VzxkgJwTLuI/AAAAAAAADC0/2kXzuX4o6oIeHJjBUUOLgOHfI-EwbTwCwCKgB/s1600/3lambs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JU1zZXXqmz8/VzxkgJwTLuI/AAAAAAAADC0/2kXzuX4o6oIeHJjBUUOLgOHfI-EwbTwCwCKgB/s640/3lambs2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And a last, hopeful stare...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qufK-QuRZxY/VzxkwRULX1I/AAAAAAAADC4/phns5QtWxHASMkjPYtm-o7xtWMpYIKPwACKgB/s1600/lambie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qufK-QuRZxY/VzxkwRULX1I/AAAAAAAADC4/phns5QtWxHASMkjPYtm-o7xtWMpYIKPwACKgB/s640/lambie.jpg" width="640" /></a>We should be bringing the lambs home in about a month. I don't think we'll have a problem with long grass this year!<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-18237998077542348692016-04-30T21:49:00.000+01:002016-05-02T13:07:05.250+01:00A Paradise for Botanists: Wild Flowers in Ancient Woodland<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CULq6DpPKvk/VyOyP9g5SVI/AAAAAAAAC_c/xSmygHMwdAQCdpLs-AnJ7_SXcNgT0qPnQCLcB/s1600/herbparis2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CULq6DpPKvk/VyOyP9g5SVI/AAAAAAAAC_c/xSmygHMwdAQCdpLs-AnJ7_SXcNgT0qPnQCLcB/s640/herbparis2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herb Paris <i>Paris quadrifolia</i>. Also known as lover's knot or devil-in-a-bush. (Poisonous). Found in Shadwell Wood and West Wood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Two ancient woods in north west Essex, Shadwell Wood and West Wood, are bright with wild flowers at this time of year. As you might expect, there are bluebells, lesser celandines and wood anemones in flower now. But these woods are also known for their rarer plants, and these include wild flowers that are nationally uncommon, such as the true oxlip <i>Primula elatior. </i> This flower can only found in this part of the country because of the local soil, which is chalky boulder clay. The oxlip is found in damp woodlands.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SrU2jbTroWc/VyUYPI6nG5I/AAAAAAAADBE/oALZQjadusYIseFVUGZ7UjAvGZ0OVUVYwCLcB/s1600/oxlipsss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SrU2jbTroWc/VyUYPI6nG5I/AAAAAAAADBE/oALZQjadusYIseFVUGZ7UjAvGZ0OVUVYwCLcB/s640/oxlipsss.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Oxlip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Because of this, Shadwell Wood and West Wood have long been known as botanists' woods. The earliest records for West Wood, for example, date from the 1200s, when the land was owned by the Hospitallers (also known as the Knights of St John). It's said that they used gather medicinal herbs here.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vtdebJcEwpw/VyO4O00Sh2I/AAAAAAAADAE/7p-GaEdH4rA3QzU38-UVMculg7ODspkKwCKgB/s1600/bugle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vtdebJcEwpw/VyO4O00Sh2I/AAAAAAAADAE/7p-GaEdH4rA3QzU38-UVMculg7ODspkKwCKgB/s640/bugle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A note on my calendar says 'visit Shadwell Wood and/or West Wood in late April/early May'. It's a note I write on my calendars every year, although I never have the time to visit both woods. Last year I visited Shadwell Wood - and I visited it, too, in 2013 writing about it <a href="http://blueborage.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/woodland-paths-swallows-and-homemade.html"> here</a>. So this year I decided to visit West Wood.<br />
<br />
I found the wild oxlips glowing in the sunlit rides and glades. They were a beautiful sight. Perhaps Shakespeare had a wood like West Wood in mind when he wrote 'A Midsummer Night's Dream':<br />
<br />
<i>I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,</i><br />
<i>Where oxlips and the nodding violets grows,</i><br />
<i>Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,</i><br />
<i>With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.</i><br />
<br />
But even if Shakespeare had visited the oxlip woods of this area, a clear identification of <i>Primula elatior</i> wasn't made until the 1800s. This was done by the Essex scientist and horticulturist Henry Doubleday working with Charles Darwin. They recognised that the Bardfield oxlip (as they called it - after the village of Great Bardfield about five miles away from West Wood) wasn't just a primrose/cowslip hybrid but a true species. <i>Primula elatior</i> was known as the Bardfield oxlip for many years afterwards - and this is a local name still in use today.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKEoLz2XqEs/VyO5e8vsSvI/AAAAAAAADAM/JX8ZSHTtoJg5XDrYUcYPMBcWmDTKiBEegCLcB/s1600/beeoxlip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKEoLz2XqEs/VyO5e8vsSvI/AAAAAAAADAM/JX8ZSHTtoJg5XDrYUcYPMBcWmDTKiBEegCLcB/s640/beeoxlip.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't see any honeybees on the oxlips. Some will be visiting, but there were also fields of oilseed rape in flower around West Wood and I suspect most of the honeybees will be heading straight for that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Among the oxlips in West Wood were the first early purple orchids. Many of these were just starting to flower...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4nkgQwaLkg/VyO2w4jvMrI/AAAAAAAAC_4/0eD7xzo35E0nOU1BB__63rUg8mlADux0QCKgB/s1600/shadwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4nkgQwaLkg/VyO2w4jvMrI/AAAAAAAAC_4/0eD7xzo35E0nOU1BB__63rUg8mlADux0QCKgB/s640/shadwell.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Deep in the woods were two ponds in a glade. Swimming just below the surface were several great crested newts (apologies for the quality of the photo but there was a sudden hailstorm in the sunshine at this point creating ripples all across the surface of the water).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2GhoJee2gI/VyO5zRRAtTI/AAAAAAAADAQ/K-MkXfpCYQwjj9CfBJILSzoXjTX2MouWgCLcB/s1600/great%2Bcrested%2Bnewt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2GhoJee2gI/VyO5zRRAtTI/AAAAAAAADAQ/K-MkXfpCYQwjj9CfBJILSzoXjTX2MouWgCLcB/s640/great%2Bcrested%2Bnewt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was delighted to see my first orange tip butterflies of the year, and one of their favourite flowers, the cuckoo flower, growing freely in the rides...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XndYnubF5ZM/VyO6QhRbbCI/AAAAAAAADAY/v5yK42C4jBMeiEZ4b7XNpYU5fY-f0B9uQCLcB/s1600/cuckooflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XndYnubF5ZM/VyO6QhRbbCI/AAAAAAAADAY/v5yK42C4jBMeiEZ4b7XNpYU5fY-f0B9uQCLcB/s640/cuckooflower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I also saw dog's mercury and wood violets. Wood barley <i>Hordelymus europaeus</i>, which is rare in Essex, can be found here, but to be honest I don't know much about this plant. I imagine it can be found later in the summer. Adder's-tongue fern also grows in West Wood later in the year, as do more orchids, including the greater butterfly and the common spotted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5Kz5aFDxts/VyO9n4qSXEI/AAAAAAAADA0/3o0jUtGCdDUQxlGDQ9j6UYCpfpQ_e8QwgCLcB/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5Kz5aFDxts/VyO9n4qSXEI/AAAAAAAADA0/3o0jUtGCdDUQxlGDQ9j6UYCpfpQ_e8QwgCLcB/s640/049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As to birdsong - I heard chiffchaffs, wrens, song thrushes, blackbirds and other familiar song birds. The information board at the entrance to the wood identified redpolls as a bird to look out for, but I didn't see any on my visit. At times I was distracted anyway from the birdsong by the planes going overhead - West Wood is on the flight path to Stansted. It was such a shame. I don't know what sort of damage planes flying low over an ancient woodland can do to it, but it must be some. I hope any proposed airport expansion doesn't happen because that will inevitably worsen the impact. The contrast between the planes flying over and the planes not there was huge - when the planes had gone the wood was truly peaceful once again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8uFjy2qapc/VyO7nMDVDBI/AAAAAAAADAo/Ioj5Bq8pLKEohuUSt0gPlInOFJvSvLjPwCLcB/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8uFjy2qapc/VyO7nMDVDBI/AAAAAAAADAo/Ioj5Bq8pLKEohuUSt0gPlInOFJvSvLjPwCLcB/s640/034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pendulous sedge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Around the edge of the wood there was evidence of visits by deer. Their tracks were everywhere. The wood is managed to keep the deer from munching the wildflowers by the erection of chestnut paling and brushwood fencing.<br />
<br />
When I left, I promised myself I'll visit one of the oxlip woods again next year. It really is a place to appreciate spring.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-59489215614447572832016-04-16T11:48:00.000+01:002016-04-19T07:54:57.089+01:00Warley Place: Miss Willmott's Ghost and Nature Among the Ruins<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJc5eFhI4_Y/VxFcxz8ksyI/AAAAAAAAC9c/NSkdPhLnVzgEP6UlQezKQwdo0piLd2iOACLcB/s1600/toy%2Bcamera%2Bruin%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJc5eFhI4_Y/VxFcxz8ksyI/AAAAAAAAC9c/NSkdPhLnVzgEP6UlQezKQwdo0piLd2iOACLcB/s640/toy%2Bcamera%2Bruin%2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't suppose Ellen Willmott, the famous horticulturist who lived in Warley Place in Essex from 1875 until her death in 1934, would be less than horrified at the appearance of her former home. The large country house that she knew is in ruins and only the shell of the conservatory still stands. Ivy climbs over the rubble of her home and wild flowers push through the bricks. And her greenhouses and cold frames, the centre of her gardening activities, are now down to their foundations - crumbling outlines of what they once were.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_o4gLNeCek/VxH7anmKrqI/AAAAAAAAC-E/8bh8b8gSBaEpUGAR2YJFYGjXYvutjp2ugCLcB/s1600/softylighty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_o4gLNeCek/VxH7anmKrqI/AAAAAAAAC-E/8bh8b8gSBaEpUGAR2YJFYGjXYvutjp2ugCLcB/s640/softylighty.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I thought about Miss Willmott coming forward in time when I visited Warley Place last week and imagined the sight of her wandering around today. I think she would be horrified - but perhaps only at first, because all the buildings have gone and her neat gardens are overrun (apparently she would sack a gardener if she spotted a weed.) But I hope after her first inspection she'd realise that so much of what she created still flourished - like her acres of daffodils - and that her old estate is managed well by volunteers who have simply let it become a place of wild, natural beauty. Warley Place is now a nature reserve, owned by the Essex Wildlife Trust.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WEQrgjC0oyQ/VxH71viGA5I/AAAAAAAAC-I/6zJQLXG1zBop0RV-nQ9dKSztTWMf2qPrQCLcB/s1600/brimstoneladybird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WEQrgjC0oyQ/VxH71viGA5I/AAAAAAAAC-I/6zJQLXG1zBop0RV-nQ9dKSztTWMf2qPrQCLcB/s640/brimstoneladybird.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone on Bluebell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Spring is a great time to visit Warley Place. In fact, it's really worth visiting several times over the season, first of all to see the drifts of snowdrops and then the stunning carpets of daffodils. When I visited, these were starting to fade (which looked sort of appropriate here where there is a sense of gentle decay). But the daffs are being replaced by a fresh blue, as the bluebells, forget-me-nots and pulmonaria are now in flower. Along the paths, the wild garlic is coming out with its pungent smell. I also think it'll be worth visiting again in a few weeks because there are masses of self-sown foxgloves. I saw the clumps of leaves all around the ruins and I think these will look glorious in early summer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-6EBIO6RmE/VxH8M84rnRI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/QxRxMzD8axo-OVqUsBlPiV3GuQ65qGjpgCLcB/s1600/onetree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-6EBIO6RmE/VxH8M84rnRI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/QxRxMzD8axo-OVqUsBlPiV3GuQ65qGjpgCLcB/s640/onetree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Ellen Willmott brought in flowers from abroad and is thought to have cultivated over 100,000 different species of trees, plants and shrubs. More than 60 plants have been named after her and Warley Place, including Eryngium giganteum (Miss Willmott's Ghost) - a large sea-holly. She received many accolades for her plants and was one of the first recipients of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour in 1897.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XPKgpFPoqyA/VxH9vGjX2FI/AAAAAAAAC-8/HoUPVDNwPQYSeZkIp2JGBcf_Gco3KTEJQCKgB/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XPKgpFPoqyA/VxH9vGjX2FI/AAAAAAAAC-8/HoUPVDNwPQYSeZkIp2JGBcf_Gco3KTEJQCKgB/s640/022.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellen and her sister Rose taking tea under the Walnut Tree c1900</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are some interesting trees here too such as 'Umbellularia californica' (known as the headache tree, because crushing the leaves creates a headache) and the turkey oak, which has a parasitic growth on its branch known as a witch's broom. Probably the most impressive trees of all are the old, gnarled sweet chestnuts. In 1649 John Evelyn the Diarist purchased the manor of Warley Magna - of which Warley Place is a part. The story goes that he was thought to have planted these sweet chestnuts, although it seems that only one of the present trees actually dates back that far.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOoo5hNbNT0/VxH8mXErOEI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/qBMirfTLnlwncFbB_RYYS1SoouzPkBVwwCLcB/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOoo5hNbNT0/VxH8mXErOEI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/qBMirfTLnlwncFbB_RYYS1SoouzPkBVwwCLcB/s640/025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The sweet chestnuts are lovely trees and while I was looking at them I noticed that the birds love them, too. I had to smile at this blue tit, which was completely ignoring the purpose built nest box for the hole around the corner in the trunk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDKNM4f2SQA/VxH80sQgT3I/AAAAAAAAC-g/PyLowTs1JTo_GarL5xKb39w96mLagZzdwCLcB/s1600/bluetitbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDKNM4f2SQA/VxH80sQgT3I/AAAAAAAAC-g/PyLowTs1JTo_GarL5xKb39w96mLagZzdwCLcB/s640/bluetitbox.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Ellen Willmott created lots of interesting features at Warley Place, such as an Alpine gorge (with stone brought down from Yorkshire)...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zerxm7hk58M/VxFfHy13rMI/AAAAAAAAC9o/Ike-aIfhBQwZ4G9SruNE9Df6o_D3YQv9QCLcB/s1600/two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zerxm7hk58M/VxFfHy13rMI/AAAAAAAAC9o/Ike-aIfhBQwZ4G9SruNE9Df6o_D3YQv9QCLcB/s640/two.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There are three ha-has here - deep banks and ditches established to keep the livestock away from the gardens (apparently the name ha-ha comes from the reaction of someone who suddenly stumbles across the vertical drop - although I can't imagine you'd laugh very much if you tripped into the ditch...)<br />
<br />
Miss Willmott inherited a walled garden at Warley Place (which was probably established in the early 1600s) but much of what is here today is the result of her planting...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PTBc7f08Q_c/VxH9PkKGYqI/AAAAAAAAC-o/o4-7odUkywEmWgmzW6osam_dyr7sj6PYACKgB/s1600/walled%2Bgarden%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PTBc7f08Q_c/VxH9PkKGYqI/AAAAAAAAC-o/o4-7odUkywEmWgmzW6osam_dyr7sj6PYACKgB/s640/walled%2Bgarden%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There is a history here, of course, that predates Ellen Willmott and John Evelyn. The old carriage drive to the house was once part of a main road and, in the Middle Ages, this road was once part of the pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Walsingham.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ9XvKVr4is/VxH9cHhVzOI/AAAAAAAAC-w/dQJ1wIpoDu4-5eN0eVs-Jb_7OFxnXpiPwCKgB/s1600/g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ9XvKVr4is/VxH9cHhVzOI/AAAAAAAAC-w/dQJ1wIpoDu4-5eN0eVs-Jb_7OFxnXpiPwCKgB/s640/g.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Warley Place estate was part of land owned by Barking Abbey, which was later dissolved by Henry VIII. The king then gave this land in Warley to his naval minister, William Gonson. <br />
<br />
There are North and South ponds here. This pond, the South Pond, once supplied water to the local village...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KRxbUgEEru8/VxH9GaHCaEI/AAAAAAAAC_A/XOwKJxWJ6roUl1wAVHWYLdjm-OATR3Z4QCKgB/s1600/moorhen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KRxbUgEEru8/VxH9GaHCaEI/AAAAAAAAC_A/XOwKJxWJ6roUl1wAVHWYLdjm-OATR3Z4QCKgB/s640/moorhen1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
At this time of year, it's full of marsh marigolds. A bird hide has also been set up on one side.<br />
<br />
Ellen Willmott was well known in her time; she received visits from royalty at Warley Place. But she became increasingly eccentric towards the end of her life; she apparently booby trapped her estate for protection and wandered around with a revolver in her handbag. She also spent extravagantly throughout her life on her search for plants and seeds and eventually lost her money, so that many of her possessions had to be sold. This all seems very sad for a woman who had such a vast knowledge, expertise and talent in horticulture.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-stc5n86TATA/VxH9iYU50_I/AAAAAAAAC_I/APcV_EaEjBghPBEedlPfSksij2HkWK77gCKgB/s1600/toothwort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-stc5n86TATA/VxH9iYU50_I/AAAAAAAAC_I/APcV_EaEjBghPBEedlPfSksij2HkWK77gCKgB/s640/toothwort.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple toothwort - a parasitic plant dependent on other plants to survive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Still, Warley Place has been protected (although I think it's strange that it hasn't been protected by the RHS but by Essex Wildlife Trust). Wandering around, I saw robins, wrens, blue tits, great tits and other birds starting to nest there last week and the reserve was full of bird song. But even if Warley Place as a wild and natural site wouldn't have appealed to Ellen Willmott, I have to admit that, if I were her, I'd be delighted that my former home was now a protected nature reserve, cared for by volunteers, with so much wildlife making a home there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TB43hhWMGZ4/VxH_SuWxe3I/AAAAAAAAC_M/twfTKfQDWMYHI6TBXBK1DlcHRaMjrdO_wCLcB/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TB43hhWMGZ4/VxH_SuWxe3I/AAAAAAAAC_M/twfTKfQDWMYHI6TBXBK1DlcHRaMjrdO_wCLcB/s640/086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-54967247098053360662016-04-07T11:39:00.001+01:002016-04-12T16:33:21.054+01:00Spring Bees and the Cetti's Warbler ChallengeI love warm, sunny weather in late March/early April - because I get to inspect my bees for the first time after the winter. I now have only two hives and I've been desperate to have a good look under each roof to see what's going on in the colonies. But I have to wait until the weather warms up, because I can't expose my bees to the cold.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vt2XQFR15IM/VwYsLDf5iHI/AAAAAAAAC80/WeygSkaU7qUhfA8A2IfZ92rTNfTkZjxNA/s1600/beesoncomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vt2XQFR15IM/VwYsLDf5iHI/AAAAAAAAC80/WeygSkaU7qUhfA8A2IfZ92rTNfTkZjxNA/s640/beesoncomb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Last week - when there were several days of perfect, beekeeping weather - I was able to lift all the frames out of the hive and study the bees. And I soon realised I'd found a tale of two hives...<br />
<br />
One hive is thriving and is already filling up with honey. I'll have to watch this one, because if the colony is building up fast it may be ready to swarm soon (especially if it finds a banquet of oilseed rape in the fields). The last thing I want is to see a cloud of honeybees leaving the hive and flying over the horizon.<br />
<br />
The other hive, meanwhile, is doing less well, because, just before Easter, it had been knocked over again and the colony has lost many of its bees. At the time, I thought the queen had been lost as well, but I've since seen eggs in the comb, which means she's there and laying. It's a huge relief. I've been feeding this colony with sugar-syrup and pollen patties, so hopefully it will also build up quickly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6ZvEtrkrHM/VwYs5Ajp_pI/AAAAAAAAC88/qL4SFVwSph8cQT95o3z_ZgpQxgSdmOjxA/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6ZvEtrkrHM/VwYs5Ajp_pI/AAAAAAAAC88/qL4SFVwSph8cQT95o3z_ZgpQxgSdmOjxA/s640/010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-tailed bumblebee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My honeybees have been foraging on the pussy willow growing just behind the hives - and the bumblebees are enjoying this, too.<br />
<br />
I'm also starting to see other bees in the garden...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SCLSX8Z4WH4/VwVkEUNjS2I/AAAAAAAAC6s/lJOZi31JJhs-RoZ_PoZargi9bjHt59oeQ/s1600/bufftailed%2Bbumblebee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SCLSX8Z4WH4/VwVkEUNjS2I/AAAAAAAAC6s/lJOZi31JJhs-RoZ_PoZargi9bjHt59oeQ/s640/bufftailed%2Bbumblebee.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dew-covered Buff-tailed Bumblebee.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsyIJQs6NqQ/VwVkTkWdgMI/AAAAAAAAC60/tt56OvxSPqku-CaZpQTyWaYUNSYQDxROA/s1600/hairyfooted%2Bflower%2Bbee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsyIJQs6NqQ/VwVkTkWdgMI/AAAAAAAAC60/tt56OvxSPqku-CaZpQTyWaYUNSYQDxROA/s640/hairyfooted%2Bflower%2Bbee.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Hairy-Footed Flower Bee on erysimum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know a fair bit about honeybees but I don't know so much about the other types, so this year I want to learn more about them. I do know that there are over 250 species of bee in the UK, so this will be a bit of a challenge! I'll take photos and record sightings, and note down the flowers that interest them in my garden. In early summer I'll be joining in the Great British Bee Count 2016 organised by Friends of the Earth with Waitrose and Buglife. The aim of the count is to get a picture of bee populations by encouraging people to send in information on the bees they see in May and June. It's a great piece of 'citizen science' and the link is <a href="https://www.foe.co.uk/page/great-british-bee-count-2016-sign-up">here</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
As well as my bee challenge, I've set myself a bird challenge because there's a bird I'd also like a decent photo of as well this year - the Cetti's Warbler. This little bird has a very loud burst of song but I find it very difficult to see (given that it hides itself in reeds and bramble). I've spent too long staring at scrub where it's been singing looking at an invisible bird. So I'm now beginning the 2016 Cetti's Warbler Challenge.<br />
<br />
It doesn't help that when I set out to see it, I'm usually distracted by other birds that I can see flitting about such as this Chiffchaff...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MonW76OVtfw/VwV6KTJP8FI/AAAAAAAAC8M/MdPWjLEiGh4x1bes6y8uyXe-r8CEARyXQ/s1600/chiffy11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MonW76OVtfw/VwV6KTJP8FI/AAAAAAAAC8M/MdPWjLEiGh4x1bes6y8uyXe-r8CEARyXQ/s640/chiffy11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
and Bullfinch...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fn2nf2Ghxbk/VwVmBSnZ3_I/AAAAAAAAC7I/qn6HV0RX3_g19xa7_f4BRaHpUoIA8GPoQ/s1600/bully.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fn2nf2Ghxbk/VwVmBSnZ3_I/AAAAAAAAC7I/qn6HV0RX3_g19xa7_f4BRaHpUoIA8GPoQ/s640/bully.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Male and female Blackcaps, nesting Long Tailed-Tits, a Treecreeper and others appeared, too. But there was no real view of the Cetti's Warbler. So, for now, I'm having to make do with the occasional glimpse - as seen in this photo, (where it looks as though the branch is going to swing round and knock it out)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Os3xraQ6XYI/VwVm1NFDjnI/AAAAAAAAC7U/eYlOJ6-KPdw0cW0bVauHiL2SxHB90PO6g/s1600/cettis%2Bwarbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Os3xraQ6XYI/VwVm1NFDjnI/AAAAAAAAC7U/eYlOJ6-KPdw0cW0bVauHiL2SxHB90PO6g/s640/cettis%2Bwarbler.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Cetti's Warbler (latest pic below - a little bird determined to get away from my camera!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOwEzvFnbP4/Vw0UXaZyhdI/AAAAAAAAC9M/q3e6a0m87UYqmurUxqP4VafxMYrgpX1OgCLcB/s1600/cettis.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOwEzvFnbP4/Vw0UXaZyhdI/AAAAAAAAC9M/q3e6a0m87UYqmurUxqP4VafxMYrgpX1OgCLcB/s640/cettis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I also wish I could take a photo that'll do justice to my beautiful primrose bank on our front verge. Each year more native primroses appear and this year I've counted nearly 300 clumps of primroses on it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_bC3Gr-73M/VwV7NXVYPWI/AAAAAAAAC8U/mM0568UDHWYSr7GLboa8jbV_dOxKuAPyw/s1600/primrosebanky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_bC3Gr-73M/VwV7NXVYPWI/AAAAAAAAC8U/mM0568UDHWYSr7GLboa8jbV_dOxKuAPyw/s640/primrosebanky.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When they finish flowering, wild garlic appears with a few bluebells and then the hedge casts a greater shadow over the whole bank (it faces north) and the grass grows up. I'd like to see other wild flowers growing here then. Some do grow naturally in the lane (like bugle - loved by bumblebees), and so it would be great to see them spreading over the bank. That way I can have a verge full of different wild flowers throughout the summer.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-69470882898290649342016-03-27T18:41:00.001+01:002016-03-27T18:41:24.456+01:00Four Seasons of Hares<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pad89NPpjcI/VvfJGyRdK-I/AAAAAAAAC4o/WDrTh9xnw3A7MjjAkRDCPwCp-sc1VxQVQ/s1600/earsflatharecr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pad89NPpjcI/VvfJGyRdK-I/AAAAAAAAC4o/WDrTh9xnw3A7MjjAkRDCPwCp-sc1VxQVQ/s640/earsflatharecr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
One of the real pleasures of walking across the fields, at any time of year, is coming across a hare. If I'm really lucky, I'll see several at once running around or simply sitting in the sun together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-moHP25SBcqg/VvfJW2fq-JI/AAAAAAAAC4s/yTlua_4QFOAzZbWx--SEZ1OO-8wHGFGBw/s1600/haresinsuncr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-moHP25SBcqg/VvfJW2fq-JI/AAAAAAAAC4s/yTlua_4QFOAzZbWx--SEZ1OO-8wHGFGBw/s640/haresinsuncr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In March and April, I always hope to see them chasing around or rearing up to begin boxing each other. It used to be thought that two males boxed, but now it's said that the females box away the amorous males. Although I've often come across them at this time of year, I've never seen a full 'boxing match' between two hares. I have, though, seen a sort of half-box, when one hare backed down very quickly faced with the challenge of the other. So one of them, the male or the female, wasn't up for the fight!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mbevAzTvR2o/VvfJvlk306I/AAAAAAAAC4w/t5cPOBZQPgsmRMjMwR0PW9oHOZM3ROnPg/s1600/wheatharecopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mbevAzTvR2o/VvfJvlk306I/AAAAAAAAC4w/t5cPOBZQPgsmRMjMwR0PW9oHOZM3ROnPg/s640/wheatharecopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Hares and Easter go together, because the original Easter Bunny was supposed to have been a hare. The idea of an Easter hare originated in Europe and then, when this custom moved to America, the hare became a cute-looking rabbit.<br />
<br />
Hares have also been regarded as symbols of fertility. Bizarrely, the Easter hare was seen as laying eggs.<br />
<br />
I've often wondered why hares have been thought of as sacred in some cultures. Perhaps it's because they come out to graze at night and so are seen as shadowy, otherworldly creatures in the moonlight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MaIk0l_DeEg/VvfP7PBd8rI/AAAAAAAAC6A/Eh0yNaHYpqc3bEovS-g1Ck2XJF1tVVATA/s1600/hares500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MaIk0l_DeEg/VvfP7PBd8rI/AAAAAAAAC6A/Eh0yNaHYpqc3bEovS-g1Ck2XJF1tVVATA/s640/hares500.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
When I'm out walking, I look out for leverets, but they must be well hidden. I seem to trip over just-born, baby rabbits here all the time, but never young hares. Of course the rabbits come into the garden, and sit around quite happily in full view - and the hares are shy and don't. I know that the leverets hide and wait for their mother to come out and feed them at dusk. This happens for a short while after they're born and then the mother will stop feeding them. They have to be independent very quickly in life.<br />
<br />
The adults can lay very still in a small depression in the ground called a form. They do this as a means of defence and it isn't a good strategy in an agricultural field.<br />
<br />
But how is the hare supposed to know that?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MXu-Wfw6H80/VvfMZmizorI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/9uGp2TiNOsshrbARmYlNHxgYiXvBtOtVw/s1600/crouchingharecopyr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MXu-Wfw6H80/VvfMZmizorI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/9uGp2TiNOsshrbARmYlNHxgYiXvBtOtVw/s640/crouchingharecopyr1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There are some terrible news stories of hares locally, and so when I see them, I just enjoy the sight of them, safe - at that moment - and enjoying the sun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v67xF_Md8No/VvfOLsgeldI/AAAAAAAAC5o/vR3RMMc0BoUX-R-saFhbbHcH71XjMy0JQ/s1600/hareharewildflowerscopyr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v67xF_Md8No/VvfOLsgeldI/AAAAAAAAC5o/vR3RMMc0BoUX-R-saFhbbHcH71XjMy0JQ/s640/hareharewildflowerscopyr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
In late winter/early spring I tend to see two or more gathered together. Last year I counted up to seven in one field, but I haven't see that number since. The rest of year, I usually to see them on their own.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0367rtq80I/VvfNIim06aI/AAAAAAAAC5c/2TAg1ukVDkkVKu8A1El33Rr4XQKWirnxQ/s1600/muddyharecr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0367rtq80I/VvfNIim06aI/AAAAAAAAC5c/2TAg1ukVDkkVKu8A1El33Rr4XQKWirnxQ/s640/muddyharecr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In summer, I spot them in the corn or they sit at the edge of fields or under the hedges...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhnH1E_z5fg/VvfMzKFO5qI/AAAAAAAAC5g/0WdgjkwKK3Isfvqli7RkPD6YpOI8dkxpw/s1600/openhare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhnH1E_z5fg/VvfMzKFO5qI/AAAAAAAAC5g/0WdgjkwKK3Isfvqli7RkPD6YpOI8dkxpw/s640/openhare.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In autumn, after the harvest, their cover in the fields has gone and so they find new protection where they can. This is the same in winter, although they sometimes venture out into the frosty fields...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5GOHFGLNYvU/VvfOqLzlAbI/AAAAAAAAC5s/3QiKTQN4nFMM8ZbXgpVxceBAvLTJZANHg/s1600/blueharecopyr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5GOHFGLNYvU/VvfOqLzlAbI/AAAAAAAAC5s/3QiKTQN4nFMM8ZbXgpVxceBAvLTJZANHg/s640/blueharecopyr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
They really are one of my favourite creatures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqAcJB3If-E/VvfMOAkbFjI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/NirPOx428nEZtn68IDDwSZJQ8HVe2gYJA/s1600/sunnyharecrr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqAcJB3If-E/VvfMOAkbFjI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/NirPOx428nEZtn68IDDwSZJQ8HVe2gYJA/s640/sunnyharecrr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-61825553083040226702016-03-13T10:59:00.000+00:002016-03-13T10:59:23.564+00:00The Trouble with Geese...and Something for the Hairy-Footed Flower Bee.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bhr5PdijMBc/VuRhV_OVAOI/AAAAAAAAC2o/-5Hck2rUIJoyN5Elm6BqfdACLOqsDkHBA/s1600/harriet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bhr5PdijMBc/VuRhV_OVAOI/AAAAAAAAC2o/-5Hck2rUIJoyN5Elm6BqfdACLOqsDkHBA/s640/harriet2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been sitting at my desk watching Harriet, the goose, sneaking behind the lavender as she heads off towards the gate. She shouldn't be in this area at all. The geese have an acre of grass, plus a large pond to enjoy, but it's not enough for Harriet, the matriarch, who loves to go walkabout...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sVo_n2iGvM/VuRhsrDsCvI/AAAAAAAAC2s/Q2j7YaFWNZMQriAL-JA1bf6PKMs7Nehww/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sVo_n2iGvM/VuRhsrDsCvI/AAAAAAAAC2s/Q2j7YaFWNZMQriAL-JA1bf6PKMs7Nehww/s640/010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
More than once, she's found her way out through (or over) the fence into forbidden areas and she's even left the smallholding altogether. When she does this, I have to go and get her back, driving her along the lane or picking her up and carrying her (when I can catch her first.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXPMIIJiVuk/VuRh-afUdVI/AAAAAAAAC20/2mPQIu60Z1QfUjusNckMVmYtWunhEvbIQ/s1600/harriet3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXPMIIJiVuk/VuRh-afUdVI/AAAAAAAAC20/2mPQIu60Z1QfUjusNckMVmYtWunhEvbIQ/s640/harriet3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Her offspring can be trouble, too. Here's a daughter deciding to nest on the edge of the bonfire, of all places. Even if the fire isn't alight, this is also where the sheep like to sit, because the lingering heat keeps them warm at night. So they aren't pleased to have a nesting and protective goose there...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VpFAXiwRZlA/VuRl1PAVcDI/AAAAAAAAC3E/y26WZi6nGgEYB5yVuj2KSfG936TJg7omQ/s1600/geeseandsheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VpFAXiwRZlA/VuRl1PAVcDI/AAAAAAAAC3E/y26WZi6nGgEYB5yVuj2KSfG936TJg7omQ/s640/geeseandsheep.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It's the breeding season and so the geese are very lively at the moment. And it doesn't help their mood that there are so many wild geese around. The recent heavy rain has turned the smallholding and fields beyond into a watery landscape and this is attracting in plenty of wild geese. Skeins of greylag and canada geese fly over regularly. Here are two visitors to the smallholding...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJmoDRnjB1I/VuR41QuBHjI/AAAAAAAAC3U/_F6po8FhWpI9IDrOO-RPB8CcgdNqG9CQg/s1600/geeses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJmoDRnjB1I/VuR41QuBHjI/AAAAAAAAC3U/_F6po8FhWpI9IDrOO-RPB8CcgdNqG9CQg/s640/geeses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As you see, they don't get a welcome from my own geese and they're chased off quick back to the fields. But there are always more to follow...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vqfoJikaog/VuU3Pt5HsEI/AAAAAAAAC38/uCfmWnyWy-8G2WG-NPOuo3ICqwcj874wQ/s1600/IMG_5071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vqfoJikaog/VuU3Pt5HsEI/AAAAAAAAC38/uCfmWnyWy-8G2WG-NPOuo3ICqwcj874wQ/s640/IMG_5071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After the latest visitors have gone, I went to look at the pond to see how high it is. It is high, which is a good sign for the coming spring and summer (when it should start to drop). I've looked along the edge to see if there are any early spring wildflowers - I'd love to see more native plants along the bank, but very little seems to grow here. The flowers I do plant there don't seem to thrive either, like kingcups. This may be because there are too many trees around, creating a lot of shade - or it may be because the geese, moorhens and ducks trample or eat them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEqWIBJInbQ/VuR5bhX4IaI/AAAAAAAAC3c/R8yrUh2qG00FV-3__f46tzbMeTJArpOkg/s1600/kingcup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEqWIBJInbQ/VuR5bhX4IaI/AAAAAAAAC3c/R8yrUh2qG00FV-3__f46tzbMeTJArpOkg/s640/kingcup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I'd also like to plant some wildflowers along the new fast flowing stream we created here last year. This comes from water pumped from the pond and circulated around (so that it falls back into the pond). The area where the water first pours out is the obvious place for planting, but this is also the area where Harry likes to come and drink (why he prefers to drink from here rather than his clean dog bowl inside with fresh tap water I've no idea). Harry would crush anything growing around here if I planted it...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBKxZIweVKA/VuVAMT7BPBI/AAAAAAAAC4I/_nDTrMDTQmMwoXO0sC2rFB0GyTAnaw-0A/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBKxZIweVKA/VuVAMT7BPBI/AAAAAAAAC4I/_nDTrMDTQmMwoXO0sC2rFB0GyTAnaw-0A/s640/018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Pulmonaria would be my first choice for planting here. I do already have a small clump growing nearby but I would like to plant some more. Pulmonaria is loved by several pollinators and is the favourite flower of one pollinator in particular - the hairy-footed flower bee. This bee with the wonderful name is like a black bumblebee with hairy legs and feet - and it flies from late February to June. When I plant my pulmonaria, I'll be watching the plants closely to see if the little hairy-footed flower bee pays them a visit this spring.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Female hairy-footed flower bee - Photo by Peter Creed" src="http://data.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/reserve_web_large/sites/default/files/Hairy-footed%20flower%20bee%20female.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hairy-footed flower bee (photo: Wildlife Trusts)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-88436708626171418372016-03-08T10:22:00.002+00:002016-03-08T11:33:01.178+00:00Biodynamic Farming, a Celestial Garden and Natural Beekeeping<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qO3vkEKiH9I/Vt1p_ZsK--I/AAAAAAAAC1k/UBlNtWbOj2s/s1600/biosheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qO3vkEKiH9I/Vt1p_ZsK--I/AAAAAAAAC1k/UBlNtWbOj2s/s640/biosheep.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I'd heard of biodynamic farming and gardening but I admit I didn't know much about it until I visited a local biodynamic farm last summer. The farm is on the salt marshes, and wandering around it on a blowy august day, it was interesting to learn about this different approach to growing things and keeping animals.<br />
<br />
So what is a biodynamic farm? Basically, biodynamic farming means that the entire farm is seen as an organism, with different parts of it forming a greater whole. Biodynamics also recognises the importance of the cosmos, which is seen to exert an influence on plant and animal health. Biodynamics is more than organic, it's sort of organic-plus. Animals are treated with homeopathic medicines and all sowing and planting is done to an astrological calendar. Compost is prepared with herbal and mineral additives, and field sprays are created by burying powdered quartz in cows' horns (while the quartz is in the soil, it's seen to be transformed by cosmic forces. Then it's dug up when the spray is ready to be used).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6HtiZgr5qDA/Vt1vB9YaEXI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/xdrQrkN0Kn0/s1600/081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6HtiZgr5qDA/Vt1vB9YaEXI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/xdrQrkN0Kn0/s400/081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The concept of biodynamics was first developed in the early 1920s by Austrian writer, educator and social activist Dr Rudolf Steiner - and biodynamic farmers, gardeners and growers have to follow standards set by an organisation called Demeter International if they are to obtain certification (like the standards set for organic growing, but much more).<br />
<br />
On the farm, the first thing I saw was the sheep grazing out on the salt marshes. These are North Ronaldsay sheep, chosen because they were considered close to our ancient breeds i.e. before generations of selective breeding produced modern sheep...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WVx-wcFYeMQ/Vt1q8XqpB6I/AAAAAAAAC1w/rrIzTujjRKw/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WVx-wcFYeMQ/Vt1q8XqpB6I/AAAAAAAAC1w/rrIzTujjRKw/s400/033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After a walk along the sea wall (where, just visible in the distant marshes, I glimpsed the wreck of the Radio Caroline ship - a sort of unusual pirate wreck!) it was time to visit the celestial garden. This is where biodynamic gardening takes place. The garden is in harmony with the sky; 12 raised beds have been planted representing the 12 zodiac constellations and each bed is timed to flower during a particular zodiac sign. It's true that everything was fairly overgrown in this area but I did love to see that the beds have been designed to provide forage for bees throughout the year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wEiKYfGdOiY/Vt1rNmmqsSI/AAAAAAAAC2I/sXXlmLzGARQ/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wEiKYfGdOiY/Vt1rNmmqsSI/AAAAAAAAC2I/sXXlmLzGARQ/s400/035.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I suppose I was most interested of all to see the beekeeping here. To meet biodynamic standards, hives must be made of natural materials (wood, straw or clay) and the bees have to be left to build a natural comb i.e. not on the wax foundation found in conventional hives. On the farm, the hives were of the Sun Hive type, (which are like traditional skeps held together with wooden inserts). They're made of rye straw and have an upper part of removable wooden arches inside where the honey is stored...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50PvNfpylRA/Vt1rgo2d1yI/AAAAAAAAC2I/1ypye3n16Lk/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50PvNfpylRA/Vt1rgo2d1yI/AAAAAAAAC2I/1ypye3n16Lk/s400/037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Sun Hives encourage the bees, including the queen, to move everywhere (in conventional hives the queen is prevented from laying eggs in areas where honey is to be harvested). These hives are also placed at least 2.5 metres (8 feet) from the ground - the idea being that it's natural for bees to nest in high places.<br />
<br />
Some of the practices well-known to beekeepers are forbidden in biodynamic beekeeping, for example, queens cannot be reared artificially. There are rules about supplementary feeding for bees, too. This feed can't be the usual sugar paste or syrup, but preparations with honey (and with camomile tea and salt added) that must come from a Demeter source. Also if a colony is weak, then Demeter standards state that its loss should be accepted i.e. because it's natural selection at work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCzCOgOQ9z4/Vt1qnkrNDqI/AAAAAAAAC14/qSAujR_EwM4/s1600/beeonfeverfew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCzCOgOQ9z4/Vt1qnkrNDqI/AAAAAAAAC14/qSAujR_EwM4/s400/beeonfeverfew.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Although I'm all in favour of bees being kept as naturally as possible, I like to give my bees more of a helping hand than is possible with biodynamic beekeeping. After all, bees have got so much stacked against them in today's environment, such as lack of forage, pesticides and new bee diseases.<br />
<br />
So, I'll be honest, although I found the farm fascinating, I'm not a convert to biodynamics. But given that most farms around here are the large arable, industrial, non-organic farms, it really made a refreshing change to see something different like this.<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-29966525445661741752016-02-27T17:24:00.001+00:002016-02-27T17:36:40.409+00:00The Mismatch between Bees and Flowers in these Strange Seasons.....and News from the Lambing Shed.On a frosty, sunny morning last week, I walked through the meadow where my beehives are kept to check all was well with them. After one of my hives was knocked over at the end of last year, I'm looking at the hives more often now. Luckily, both hives were still upright - and they also hadn't been attacked by green woodpeckers (the other worry at this time of year). When the ground is frozen, green woodpeckers will drill into a hive for an easy meal.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9RZOMjgPd1Q/VtC7SMhhLZI/AAAAAAAACyg/uv7zAB4iQEw/s1600/pussy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9RZOMjgPd1Q/VtC7SMhhLZI/AAAAAAAACyg/uv7zAB4iQEw/s640/pussy1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pussy Willow is about to flower - perfect for my bees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I watched the hives for a moment but, as expected, none of the bees were flying. It was far too cold for them. Instead, the bees will be clustered together around the queen and they'll have sealed up their hive against the cold with propolis, a sticky substance (a sort of bee-glue) collected from tree buds. I've no intention of breaking that apart just to look more closely at the bees. I'll wait until warmer days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fyTJ_eg1TeY/VtC-C8ra_dI/AAAAAAAACys/zX5oD7sQ3To/s1600/beees2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fyTJ_eg1TeY/VtC-C8ra_dI/AAAAAAAACys/zX5oD7sQ3To/s640/beees2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The bees <i>have</i> been flying this winter when the weather has been mild. This has made me think about what they've been foraging on. Like everyone else, I've been noticing the early flowering of so many plants over recent weeks, such as snowdrops and daffodils in December and blackthorn in early January. I was interested to read, then, the results from the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland's New Year Plant Hunt 2016. Between 1st and 4th January 850 plant lovers hunted across the country for wild plants in flower and they found an astonishing 612 species. Botanists would normally expect 20-30 types of wild plants in flower at this time of year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THpLo2dHrNw/VtFuMMXm_WI/AAAAAAAACzA/clwSTKCTlgE/s1600/beesincrocuses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THpLo2dHrNw/VtFuMMXm_WI/AAAAAAAACzA/clwSTKCTlgE/s640/beesincrocuses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So what does this mean for my bees? Well, it has to have an impact. If the plants my bees love in early spring have already finished flowering before the colony becomes truly active, the bees have less forage. But then my honeybees are managed, and so if food isn't coming into the hive, I'll feed them sugar paste or syrup and pollen patties to boost them up. The real problem must be for wild bees and other pollinators, especially those that have evolved to appear when certain flowers are in bloom.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Tawny mining bee - Philip Precey - Philip Precey" src="http://data.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/reserve_web_large/sites/data.live.wt.precedenthost.co.uk/files/Tawny_Mining_Bee,%20_Derbyshire,_cpt_Philip_Precey.JPG" height="175" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny Mining Bee - emerges in April to forage on the fruit blossom (photo - The Wildlife Trusts, P Precey)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All this leads into the debate about climate change, of course - and the trends we're seeing. A conclusion drawn from the BSBI survey, was that our understanding of when plants flower is out of date. I wonder if the next generation of botanists will have to start re-writing the books to identify new flowering times for our plants? And perhaps we should expect to see daffodils at Christmas from now on. Will it be holly and ivy and candles and....daffodils?<br />
<br />
Still, there was no time to feel confused about the familiar signs of spring in the lambing shed (where the breeder of my Ryeland lambs has been working tirelessly delivering this year's flock). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R35sPWICzFo/VtF6ESy0BjI/AAAAAAAACzQ/kY19fg2bSjM/s1600/mumandtwins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R35sPWICzFo/VtF6ESy0BjI/AAAAAAAACzQ/kY19fg2bSjM/s640/mumandtwins.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here, the lambs were being born more or less on time (although not always easily). When I turned up, there were already a handful of tiny, black, woolly bundles curled up in the straw (next to some very relieved looking mums). And more lambs were on the way. (Just to say, it was a little bit dark in the lambing shed, but I didn't want to use the flash on my camera in case I frightened the sheep).<br />
<br />
This is a small flock - and those lambs that'll leave in the summer will also go to small flocks that are owned for interest, not profit. The lamb pictured in the last two photos is the latest addition to my own flock (he was just a few hours old when these were taken).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8FzlSQ8QG14/VtGVCTGiUeI/AAAAAAAACzo/pQuSTxeodsY/s1600/lambsheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8FzlSQ8QG14/VtGVCTGiUeI/AAAAAAAACzo/pQuSTxeodsY/s640/lambsheep.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Za4zU3PtEas/VtF6T9Rq-9I/AAAAAAAACzU/sYDnmerBP-4/s1600/lamb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Za4zU3PtEas/VtF6T9Rq-9I/AAAAAAAACzU/sYDnmerBP-4/s640/lamb2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I'll be bringing him home in the summer, where he'll live out his long life as a gentle lawn mower.<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066940655894046331.post-34589213899664569412016-02-21T10:34:00.000+00:002016-02-21T10:34:05.462+00:00The Most Dangerous Path in Britain? Walking The Broomway<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i24ADzmq_VI/Vsike8sx36I/AAAAAAAACwk/o00lA9_sNlg/s1600/broomway25.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i24ADzmq_VI/Vsike8sx36I/AAAAAAAACwk/o00lA9_sNlg/s640/broomway25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Late last summer, David and I walked The Broomway, arguably the most dangerous path in Britain. Before this walk, if I'd thought about dangerous paths, I might have come up with a mountain pass or a steep track along a cliff edge. But having walked The Broomway, I can see that this path could be the most deadly of all.<br />
<br />
There are records of dozens of people having sadly lost their lives on this path. And it is very likely that dozens more have died here without their deaths ever being recorded.<br />
<br />
So where is it? The Broomway is to be found on the Essex coast between Wakering Stairs (not far from Southend) and Foulness Island. Before a road bridge was constructed in the twentieth century, this was the main route, across the mud and sand, from the mainland to the island. The name, 'The Broomway' comes from the posts that once lined the route to help people find their way across and I've heard two versions of the story, either that they resembled brooms, or that they had a sprig of broom on them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BTeRNoSLFJA/VsilSLem_NI/AAAAAAAACws/l8NOawpyzkw/s1600/broomway66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BTeRNoSLFJA/VsilSLem_NI/AAAAAAAACws/l8NOawpyzkw/s400/broomway66.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The danger comes from the quicksands and the incoming tides. Setting off from Wakering Sands is setting off into a vast expanse of sand. Foulness is not visible at this point; the only land visible is the coast behind and at times, the distant Kent coast across the Thames Estuary. Get lost, or be too slow, and the tide will rush in from unknown directions and cut you off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q15q6l2PpTY/VsipYOgYepI/AAAAAAAACxU/ifWZZkQKghc/s1600/broomway27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q15q6l2PpTY/VsipYOgYepI/AAAAAAAACxU/ifWZZkQKghc/s400/broomway27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I suppose the obvious question today is why would anyone still walk The Broomway at all. Well, a reason has to be that is surely one of the most beautiful paths in Britain.<br />
<br />
The beauty lies in the quality of the light in this place. Under a huge sky, the sunlight on the sand is dazzling. It's like walking under an arc of light, perhaps a little like being in a Turner painting, although of course the light isn't static. There are also the sounds and smells of the sea and air to remind you that this is real. But this dazzling light is also disorientating. It was clear to me that if I didn't follow the right route, then I could easily wander off in the wrong direction, and become lost.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ircrLiL4pM/VsildRpQ93I/AAAAAAAACw8/-IGDbvpUQ5Y/s1600/broomway2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ircrLiL4pM/VsildRpQ93I/AAAAAAAACw8/-IGDbvpUQ5Y/s400/broomway2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We arrived for the walk early one morning to meet our guides. I suppose we could have found a way across on our own with a compass and tide book, but, for the first time, I wouldn't want to attempt it like that. David and I didn't have wellies a) David doesn't own a pair and b) I don't like walking any distance in mine (The Broomway is about six miles and we were walking there and back). Fortunately, our walking boots were up to the task. It would have been truly miserable with wet feet!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDGlDgIk81M/VsimDPHVerI/AAAAAAAACw4/nI1kZeUvIYI/s1600/broomway4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDGlDgIk81M/VsimDPHVerI/AAAAAAAACw4/nI1kZeUvIYI/s400/broomway4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Our guides were very friendly and told us all sorts of information about the area. Eventually we reached Foulness 'by the back door', so to speak. Foulness is owned by the MOD and although there are two small villages on it, it's a very secretive place. The island is used for firing/testing weapons, and the main entrance on to the island - on the other side to where we were - is through a check point. We just about stepped foot on the island and didn't venture further in. Instead, we ate our packed lunches surrounded by samphire - and under the eye of the security cameras. But I've made a note to return here. Foulness has its own history and wildlife to discover.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3d6uosN434/VsjPz6BHSdI/AAAAAAAACyQ/kzotAmbCosM/s1600/broomway100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3d6uosN434/VsjPz6BHSdI/AAAAAAAACyQ/kzotAmbCosM/s400/broomway100.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We walked back, the clouds scudding overhead, the rain holding off - and we arrived again at Wakering Stairs. It's a path I'd love to walk again; I know it will always look different, the light ever-changing, and I can't ever imagine getting tired of it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792703802542843791noreply@blogger.com29