You may remember that last April, my brother and I spent some time in Poland before jumping on a train at Gdańsk and trundling westward to my favourite city - Berlin. (See 'A Postcard From Poland'). I know Berlin fairly well and visit regularly but I hadn't been to the Berliner Zoologische Garten for several … Continue reading Berlin Zoo
Environment
Flood And The Pigeon
This is the wettest winter I have known at the Priory. It has rained for weeks and water pours into the grounds. The ducks at least are happy - I've never seen so many. One day I counted twenty-two: normally there are five or six. The water level is very high. The island on the … Continue reading Flood And The Pigeon
Sun And Leaf
Sorry for the lack of posts recently but I've been away on various short trips - Gloucestershire and Bristol, Spain and Berlin. They have all been jolly and I've particularly enjoyed the buzz of large towns and cities - and dressing accordingly. So a return to solitary gardening; to shabby clothes, muddy knees and damp … Continue reading Sun And Leaf
Grey Heron
Occasionally, grey herons (Ardea cinerea) visit the Priory - but they are shy and hoist themselves into the air when I amble into view. I haven't been able to photograph them. But a couple of weeks ago, I spotted a juvenile standing on top of the old duck box on the east pond's small island. … Continue reading Grey Heron
Pale Tussock Moth
The caterpillar of the Pale Tussock Moth (Calliteara pudibunda) is large and very visible. Which is just as well. Otherwise, I would have trundled over this one with the ride-on mower. It seemed out of place somehow and far too exotic for a Sussex garden. The caterpillars feed on a range of tree leaves including … Continue reading Pale Tussock Moth
Poppies On The Downs
A smudge of red has been visible from The Old Forge for over a week. As I worked in the garden, it drew my eye. The following morning, I decided to go for a closer look. I associate field or common poppies (Papaver rhoeas - should you care), with field margins but this huge expanse … Continue reading Poppies On The Downs
Little Owl
I disturbed a bird the other day. I was walking through the garden of the Old Forge and something broke cover. Though I managed to get a hurried snap of it in flight, it was gone too quickly for me to see what it might be. It was only later, alerted by the scolding call … Continue reading Little Owl
The Anxious Gardener 