I joined the Priory in the summer of 2008 and since then, I have regularly heard the call of a male tawny owl. From late morning until I go home, the magical hoo-hoo of that owl has both delighted me and driven me nuts. I've stopped work, I've run for my camera and I've stalked … Continue reading The Tawny Owl
Environment
Wordless Wednesday: Peckish?
A Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus) wraps a newly caught honeybee.
And Quiet Flows The Spree
I didn't intend to impose my holiday snaps on you. Indeed for the first day or two of my recent cycling trip to Germany, I didn't even take a photo. But when a bird of prey glided past with a rat the size of a small child in its talons, my shutter finger itched. And … Continue reading And Quiet Flows The Spree
Bear With Me
I haven't posted for a while.I've been busy with some non-blogging stuff ... and intently studying a wasp nest on the east lawn.Excavation continues and it's getting bigger. And bigger. As you might suppose, mowing operations have been diverted.I've been distracted too by the sheer number of butterflies on the new verbena beds.There is a … Continue reading Bear With Me
Big Butterfly Count
The charity Butterfly Conservation is holding its annual Big Butterfly Count - the biggest butterfly survey in the world. Starting today and running until 10th August, this is an easy and fun opportunity to help butterfly and moth conservation in the UK. If you'd like to take part, simply wait for a sunny spell and … Continue reading Big Butterfly Count
Follers Manor
When Geoff and Anne Shaw bought Follers Manor in 2006 it was a mess. The house was virtually uninhabitable and the grounds an eyesore: a jumble of tussock, weeds and builders' rubble with a large, long-abandoned tennis court as a central feature. Today with the house and gardens rejuvenated it is easier to understand why … Continue reading Follers Manor
Beauty And A Beast
The gardens are generally looking fine. Though frankly if they didn't during June, I might as well give up and get a proper job. But the Kidney Beds are in dire need of a major revamp. They were cobbled together five years ago with a few sitting tenants, some plants from my garden, gifts from … Continue reading Beauty And A Beast
The Anxious Gardener 