Wildlife

Wordless Wednesday

/ David Marsden / 8 Comments

Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus)

The Tawny Owl

/ David Marsden / 37 Comments

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

And Quiet Flows The Spree

/ David Marsden / 38 Comments

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

/ David Marsden / 27 Comments

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

/ David Marsden / 18 Comments

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

Beauty And A Beast

/ David Marsden / 46 Comments

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

Jenny Wren And The White Hart*

/ David Marsden / 34 Comments

Water quality in the east pond has recovered.  Heavy winter rain has flushed out any remaining sewage, bleach and bath-suds.  (A cowboy plumber, working in 2008, patched the soil pipe from the main bathroom into the drains carrying rainwater to the pond, see - 'A Mild Sense Of Panic'). In my first two years at … Continue reading Jenny Wren And The White Hart*