There has been little sign of life at the Priory recently; other than me that is (a surly and dishevelled figure, crouched beneath a dripping conifer and shaking a fist at the rain-laden clouds). And then the most extraordinary thing happened. The 'February Gold' daffs I planted in 2008 flowered. IN FEBRUARY! In the past … Continue reading A February Springtime
Nature
Berlin Zoo
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
Still Here, Still Gardening
Or at least, I've been gardening as much as I possibly can. It is still very, very wet here in Sussex - I can't do as much as I'd like to do. Or need to do. When it has been dry enough, I've cut back various beds and mulched with my rather lovely, two-year old … Continue reading Still Here, Still Gardening
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
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
Garden Visitors
Gardening is a fine job and as an added bonus I see plenty of wildlife (as if I needed an added bonus). Here's a little of what I've seen recently. Some of the visitors to the Priory are aloof. I see buzzards regularly wheeling and crying above the valley but only very rarely close up … Continue reading Garden Visitors
The Anxious Gardener 