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
Nature
Wordless Wednesday: Peckish?
A Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus) wraps a newly caught honeybee.
Win a Copy Of ‘The Splendour Of The Tree’
Here is the second of this month's book giveaways. And what a smashing book it is too. I would have nabbed a copy for review if I had the time to write one and my gardening book-shelves weren't already overspilling. 'The Splendour of the Tree' was published two days ago by Frances Lincoln at £25.00. … Continue reading Win a Copy Of ‘The Splendour Of The Tree’
The Tropical Border – 3rd Year
Mid September already? It seems just a few short weeks since I lugged a large Musa basjoo out of a greenhouse; since I stripped the straw protection off those I'd left outside. Only a little while since I wheeled out Colocasia esculenta and hefty red bananas (Ensete maurelii). Hardly any time at all since I … Continue reading The Tropical Border – 3rd Year
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
The Anxious Gardener 