This last few weeks we seem to have had a proliferation of furry animals here at Campfield.
Norman Holton - in passing our garden, beheld a weasel coming out of our gate and crossing the road onto the marsh. We have lived here for well over a quarter of a century and have only seen one weasel in that time. I know that they are predators to small birds and eggs but they are so few in number, as not to be an issue.
Also the other morning, while shaving and looking out of the bathroom window, I was very surprised to see a grey Squirrel on a bough of a damson tree, contemplating a bird feeder full of peanuts. Fortunately, I was able to call to Judith to bring her camera and photograph it. Again, we have only ever seen one in all the time we’ve been here.
Grey Squirrel - 2/7/15.
We were amused on approaching the Wetland Centre, a few days ago, presumably the same squirrel exiting from Norman’s front garden where doubtless it had been making free with his bird hangers. On seeing us approaching, it took 3 or 4 giant leaps and disappeared into one of the Ash trees surrounding the Centre’s car park – where again there are rich pickings to be had in the form of bird feeders which are nicely positioned for the convenience of visitors to the Reserve. I get the feeling that we now have an extra permanent resident in the hamlet (and, of course, Reserve) as there are many large trees in the area where it might build a drey for itself. We will follow it with interest!
Now, getting on to the serious ones, namely Badgers. We have several who inhabit the area – although, we have to admit that we have never seen one here. They seem to come from the Moss via the Lonning – leaving scrapes and little dung pits to mark their territory. The routine is that in Winter, they come into garden and orchard to seek worms and invertebrates, in the damp ground under the damson trees. Now, I have to say that I keep the orchard reasonably well mown from Spring to Autumn and that sometimes, when I enter the area with my sit-on mower, my heart sinks as the whole place seems to have been rotavated. The amount of damage that a badger can do in a night is heroic! But come early Summer, at the end of the ground nesting bird’s breeding season, when cattle are brought on to the Reserve, and there is a proliferation of lovely cow pats in the meadows(which dry out), this is Badger heaven! They proceed to turn over the pats to gain access to luxurious worms etc. – worms being their favourite food. This then takes pressure off the surrounding gardens and orchards until the onset of winter when the cattle are taken indoors – and so the whole process starts again.
Now as a gardener, this might drive me completely bonkers . . . so I just choose to ignore the whole situation and carry on as if nothing had happened – except that I am aware that we are able to live in harmony with this wonderful mammal, as after all, man is the interloper in the countryside – not the animals!
I extend the same principal to rabbits, of which, in the last two years we seem to have had a more than an adequate supply . . . all shapes and sizes. The sight of a tiny rabbit eating a tender garden plant down to the ground, induces mixed feelings but to watch the antics of these same rabbits over the months is compensation enough . . . and actually they do mostly eat grass! Also, their behaviour towards corvids, of which there are a sufficiency of in the garden - owing to the bird feeders, is very robust. The male rabbits will deliver a short sharp attack should a Magpie or Crow make a hostile move towards a young rabbit. All this provides endless hours of interest and amusement, watching as I do from the windows of my house. As, after all, a good hard kick delivered at speed is something that a Magpie has to take seriously . . . and so the balance is maintained once again!
Very small wet rabbit nibbling tender plants.
. . . and romping away afterwards.
Three little ones enjoying the grass.
Mother nuzzling young rabbit.
With some of the feeding that Judith does for the birds, such as emptying out bread and cake bins when the contents look a little tired, has of late started to attract some young foxes (usually just two) which arrive mostly at dusk. It is a real pleasure to see these beautiful little ‘red dogs’ pottering about looking for a few fallen peanuts or a piece of cake. Judith has managed to get one or two shots of them before the light failed completely. They, of course, make their living from the numerous colonies of rabbits which live in the gorse on the edge of the marsh. Farmers tell us that they do take lambs and poultry – I make no comment!
29 6 15 - Foxes searching for fallen peanuts under hanger.
Wishful thinking.
Young fox.
Of course, this does happen too!
Now, lastly, we come to Deer. In our case, the Roe Deer that wander the mosses and meadows of the Cardurnock Peninsula . . . not many of them and they do seem to be a stable population. They come into the orchard in Autumn to consume ripe damsons which have fallen – thus providing a sweet delicacy and for which we have no use. Sometimes, up to four or five can be viewed - quite by chance . . . a wonderful sight!
30 6 15 - Roe Deer are secretive creatures.
Doe and two fawns in the Discovery Field - 30 6 15.
Female amongst the buttercups - 30 6 15.
A recent encounter on the Lonning - Photo by John Howard.
A couple of days ago a female appeared with two little fawns, who were so small and delicate that it was only their ears that appeared above the grasses. I think that she had brought them into the orchard for quiet and shelter as a certain amount of tractor activity was taking place on the Reserve at the time – as it does all year round, there being nearly 1000 acres to look after. This involves Stephen and his machinery in maintenance work such as cutting the grass on the new Discovery field trackways and new walks - which he does for everyone’s safe access and pleasure. Just now, with all the buttercups and wild flowers at their peak, the Reserve is more like ‘Chelsea–on–Solway’. He takes great pride in all this.
Stephen keeping the Discovery Field up to scratch.
Wildflower Meadow in all its glory.
It can safely be said that we are all, indeed, giving ‘Nature a Home’ here at Campfield.
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