Birds

Our swifts left around the 12th August but the martins and swallows stayed, until yesterday.  Although the house martins had lost out to the owl on the front of the house the nests at the back were much more successful and the one above my sitting room raised two broods, they were last heard on Thursday evening.  On Friday there were still swallows and martins hawking the field but I didn't see any at all yesterday and none again today so must assume they've gone.
Maybe they were scared off by the beautiful peregrine which was hunting across the field on Thursday evening, he patrolled up and down for a while before turning to work his way across the scar, dropping down a few times but no stoops - a little too windy I think.  There are reports of a buzzard at Green End too so it seems that our raptor population is doing quite well this  year.
At the beginning of August I took down our main bird feeders after throwing away the umpteenth lot of sodden, rotten seed.  Don't worry, we didn't abandon the birds to their fate, we fed from the bird table and a couple of other sites, just not from the main pole with the multitude of hangers. Recently there have been more young birds in the garden and some newly moulted adults so the winter feeders went out on Sunday, by Monday the birds were queuing along the washing line and by Tuesday a squirrel had found us, we'd not seen a squirrel for nearly two years.  This one was a youngster which didn't linger for long after a quick blast from the hosepipe but it did return the next day so a stronger deterrent was obviously required and so the small, black, rodent-seeking missile known as Hebe was deployed, one swift burst across the garden and small grey rodent disappeared up a tree and over the fence, it's not been seen since! And no the Hebester didn't catch or eat it, much as she'd have liked to.  without the distraction of a squirrel the birds are happily munching their way through a feederful of sunflower seeds every day plus all the extras. We've seen all the tit family except the marshy-willow, greenfinches which are looking healthy no sign of trichomonsis (phew), lots of house sparrows and chaffinches but the most numerous species is the goldfinch with upwards of 20 at any one time. We have a resident thrush, a couple of robins and plenty of blackbirds too. Nuthatches have been regulars as well, I think there are two individuals, one is slightly slimmer and paler than the other and they arrive and depart in different directions but as yet I've not seen the two together so I can't be absolutely sure.

The year has certainly turned, we lit the fire last night for the first time, this morning there was a heavy frost and the winds are picking up; lets hope we escape the worst of the equinox storms.

Finally the rain let up

What a relief.   At last it stopped raining, the land dried up, the sun came out and so did the tractors. Over the last week virtually every field in Goathland has been cut for hay or silage; farmers and contractors working until the early hours to get it all in before the rain returned (last night). 

Do you see what I see?

 
Top of the pole - yes, here she is in the middle of the garden at 6:30 one evening this past week.
This is "fat wol" who is slightly larger than "thin wol" so we're guessing she's a she.
Barmy bird, I suppose she fancied a different perch and because it wasn't raining she could come out from under the eaves - and get a better look at the martins.... But so far no more martin predation.

House martin vs owl (bad owl!)

On the back of the house we have artificial house martin nests, previous natural ones having been so frequently destroyed by grey squirrels that the martins simply gave up.  It's taken several years for the martins to become familiar with and start using the artificial ones although blue tits have, for years, used one in particular as a winter roost. This year of the five nests three are in use and broken shells have been seen on the ground below the sites and more recently the little black and white heads have been seen poking out and the whole brood is heard chirruping away.  Two weeks ago one of our resident tawnys was seen swooping up towards one of the artificial nests battering its tail on the window, the fledglings fell silent and the worst was feared but the next day they were as noisy as usual.  The owl has tried at least three times, that we know of, and each time has been defeated by the concrete of the nest. The martins have grown and fledged in the last couple of days, last night one of the youngsters got totally confused and flew in through the open window did a couple of circuits of the room before perching on a lampshade which was either rather hot (the light was on)  or not ideal as the small bird fell to the floor and lay panting.  It was carefully gathered up, checking briefly for any injury - none visible and it held on to fingers very tightly but its tail was only half grown and there was still some fluff on its back so it was obviously a youngster - before being launched into the air out of the open window.  It took to the sky with a chatter and was soon lost in the swooping crowd busy munching the evening midges.

Destroyed house martin nest

There are, or rather were, two nests at the front of the house.  The newer one this year has been hit by an owl strike, at least that the concusion we've reached.  This was the sight earlier this week.

nesting material

The bottom of the nest completely ripped out, the soft nesting material still in a cup shape but 6 metres away in the middle of the lawn and under the destroyed nest one solitary dead nestling, there had been three little heads so we're assuming that two went for owlet supper.  The remaining nest is high up in the apex and so far remains active, we think because the roof shape here and lack of guttering are preventing the owls from gaining access.

dead nestling

The grass in the fields is so high that the owls are struggling, their usual hunting areas are still covered and this is pushing them into new (for us anyway) and unusual hunting patterns, whether now that they've discovered this easy prey they will repeat the patterns next year remains to be seen.  But just in case we're going to put up some more of the artificial nests at the front giving the martins the option of natural or concrete.  Then all the fledglings will have to contend with is the sparrowhawk who puts on an amazing upside down acrobatic display taking the martins in mid air.


(20 July)

Some orchids and quick veg survey

Thursday 12 July was actually dry, warm and sunny(ish). so much so that in the evening Hebe and I were delighted to be able to go for our walk without needing to don all the wet weather gear, although I did keep the long boots.  As I wasn't trudging along, head ducked down to keep the rain from cascading down my face I was able to look around and see how the fields have grown, in fact it was so sunny I squinting as I watched the swallows hawking across the long grass.  There was a large group of mixed tits but mostly blue tits tseeping away in the Scot's pines.  The hay fields, or at least the margins, are full of wildflowers.  On a rise above the beck I found spotted orchids, the first time I've ever seen them here, there were also ox-eyed daisy, seed heads of devil's bit scabious and milkmaids. So then I did a quick survey which revealed three plantain varieties, seven different grasses from yorkshire fog and cocksfoot to a small soft fescue, but no catstail or timothy and all in full flower with the cocksfoot almost at shoulder height, which made ID really quite easy (for a change!).  Then lower down nearer the water (long boots definitely required) two juncus spp, three sedges, a small rosette of ragged robin and something that may be water forget-me-not spreading up the soggy bank, I didn't feel like sliding down to double check but Hebe had a good luck although her ID skills aren't that great extending only as far as whether it's edible or not!  All this within a few metres and that's without venturing into the old hawthorn hedge or under the gnarled old oaks, just shows what's there in the old pasture.  For plantaholics the sogginess is a blessing in disguise because under normal circumstances this field would have been cut last month.

It's not all doom and gloom

The garden might be a mess but under the shelter of bigger bushes my apothecary's rose Madame Hardy has managed to flower, the pure white glows in the darkness of the foliage.

Being protected so far her lovely petals remain unmarked by the rain, but for how much longer I wonder.

Fortunately Sweet Peas are more resilient, the first one opened on Tuesday, in the pouring the rain and today (before the, yes you've guessed it, rain) I cut the first bunch.  I really wish you could upload a smell file, the perfume is magnificent especially now they're warmer indoors.

I always grow several varieties to give a mixture of colours but all five of the first bunch are the darker maroon and pinks.  It looks like there are a couple of paler pink or cream (can't tell yet) which are almost ready to open but as yet no blues, I wonder if the weather has affected the timing of the flower production or maybe the darker flowered plants are simply stronger and better able to cope with the weather.  I suppose to tell we'd have to repeat the conditions and no one wants that.

(11 July)

Gardening leave

Wimbledon rolls around again and I get a week off to watch tennis balls and when it all gets too much to do some gardening.  BUT - the garden is so soggy there's no way I dare do anything, the soil is sodden, I'd damage the structure if I walked on it. Putting some washing out on one of the dry days the water is pooling up between my toes.  Oh, well chance to plan what we're going to do with the rangum down the drive.
(2 July)

Drought? what drought

This is turning into the wettest drought on record.  It's rained virtually non-stop since it was made official.

And then, just for a change, it rained...  but with added extras of thunder and lightning (everybody click SAVE - now, please). Although Wednesday was lovely, yesterday not too bad and we've had a few sightings of the bright alien light bulb today making it quite steamy and jungley out there.  Thin Wol joined us at lunch time and has slept soundly since.

(15 June 2012)

weather and buntings

1 June
Late frosts and scorching heat - what a spring, drought and hosepipe bans looming.
The reed buntings are back nesting at church end for the second year. On Wednesday on the way back from Pickering I saw a small flock of males and females on the common darting in and out of the sieves and perching on the tops of the very short newly emerged bracken.  And today there are reports of a large number of lapwing near Sillas.  It's been an odd spring, the bracken is only just beginning to show and now on the first of June the hawthorn  is only now in full flower but all the apple blossom has gone over and the elders are no where near so the elderflower fizz will have to wait.  The scorching heat of last week has passed and we've had a couple of days of rain for which the garden and farmers are truly grateful, everything has begun to grow again.  the rain has meant that the owls have been taking it in turns to occupy the wires, they've been nicknamed Fat Wol and Thin Wol - for pretty obvious reasons, Thin Wol has a paler more creamy front with very definite speckles whilst Fat Wol is darker all over and usually likes to sit a bit further out so you see her feet more clearly. One evening this week there was obviously confusion over the timetable as both were present for about 15 minutes which gave us a lovely opportunity to compare and contrast.

Short-eared Owl

In all the years we've been here I've not seen a short-ear - until tonight (Thursday 17 May).  After work I was getting changed and as usual looked out of the window and did a double take.  There was the characteristic owl shape quartering the moor around the reservoir flashing those creamy underwings.  No mistaking it. And then a second individual arrived and started working its way down towards Darnholme. I watched for ages before both birds disappeared over the horizon one Grosmont way and the other the Bay side of the road.

And next the cuckoo

Wednesday 16 May
Martins yesterday and today cuckoos, probably just one bird so far.  It was heard in Greenend earlier this week, then in Darnholme and Mum heard one calling this morning.  Although I've not heard it yet I have seen it!  There was a male flying in and out of the oaks across the field.  The oaks are still to bud up yet, never mind come into leaf which made spotting the cuckoo that bit easier.
The owl arrived back onto its wires today as well.

Hooray house martins

Tuesday 15 May
Outside the bathroom window this morning the distinctive house martin tweetling. I drew backt the curtains very carefully and there peeping out of the artificial nest was little black and white head.  The bird dropped out of the nest quickly followed by a second and my heart dropped, I've scared them away and they've only just got here. But no, the birds flew around the back garden and back into the nest, phew.
It's so nice to have them back and that at last the artificial nests are being used by something other than blue tits!

First swift of 2012

Thursday 10 May
(OK, I'm catching up!)

the first swift was seen swooping across a brilliant blue sky, I'm not sure what was more welcome the clear blue sky or the swift!  Either way the swift stayed with us longer and by early evening was part of a small squadron of five swooping and screaming across the now grey sky.  Oh, well close your eyes and listen and you can pretend summer's here.

Spring, moon and martins

Our house martins returned yesterday, we'd seen a couple around but it was yesterday afternoon that three were flying up to the nests in the apex.  They're back again today.
I saw swifts on Saturday too, not in the village but on the way to Malton.  And the first lambs were in the village yesterday too, a couple of Reg's were on the green outside the shop and in Brereton's car park, they're not there today so they've obviously moved on. Spring is springing along as best it can.
The full moon over the weekend was a supermoon, amazing views but none of them photographed - don't know why we didn't, probably because it wasn't rising in a convenient place any way it was very remiss of us, should have at least tried.
It's being reported today that the weather over the weekend was on average colder than at Christmas! Today I think I can believe it, seventh of May and we're still lighting the stove in the mornings, complete madness.  We had some very hard frosts over the weekend, a few of gunnera's leaves have been scorched but too badly and I've lost a couple of strawberry plants but it's been so cold  everything is still in the greenhouse. However, I did get the sweet peas out into the fresh air this morning for the first time.   Only a few years ago I was listening to GQT about Chelsea preparations whilst planting up the tubs and sweltering in the sunshine, that's not likely to be happening this year.

House Martin

First one of 2012 seen on Saturday, just the once.  I hope it's found somewhere dry to hide, along with the swallows.  The garden is turning into a swamp, everything is sodden, I can't even get across the beds to deadhead the daffodils.  But (I'm trying to be positive here), the bog garden is flourishing, the skunk cabbage which I thought I'd lost has popped up again and I'm hoping that the wet will kill off the invading buttercups.

Swallow!

We've just seen our first swallow, hawking over the field.  on the same day as the latest dump of snow - which has now melted. The first swallow in the village was reported earlier in the month at Hunt House.
Lots of garden news to add - but not now.

Spring gardening

Finally, managed to make a start on the spring cleaning.


At the weekend the big border went from this:

 To this:

The birds are singing, a beautiful song thrush stands on the top of Green Garth's larch and tell the whole world it's a wonderful sunny spring morning; the robins are shouting their territories and the finches and spuggies tweet and whistle along too.

I don't know where the siskins have been all winter but they've arrived back this past week, already dressed in their "Sunday Best" looking very bright and smart.

RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch

A few days late but...
What a wonderful Sunday morning, the dulcet tones of Sir David Attenborough as he chose his desert island discs, a weather eye on the scores from Melbourne (six hours, wow what a match), lots of tea and toast and a garden full of birds.

Here's what we saw:
Chaffinch, 17; Greenfinch, 9; Goldfinch, 3; Siskin, 1; House Sparrow, 9; Dunnock, 4; Coal Tit, 1; Blue Tit, 3; Great Tit, 2; Long Tails, 2; Robin, 3; Wren, 1; Blackbird, 2; Wood Pigeon 1; Collared Dove, 1; Starling 1.  Which makes 16 species so we're quite pleased about that although the Tree Sparrows didn't show, neither did the Nuthatch or the Song Thrush.  The numbers of each, especially the finches, were much lower than we were expecting, a hoard of Goldfinches arrived just after the hour was the up!

Northern Lights no show

Huge solar storms may have been generating big displays of the Northern Lights this last week, which, according to reports, have been seen as far south as Harrogate. However, we've not been fortunate enough to witness them, either because they've not been visible over Goathland or we've simply not been looking at the right time. Every night this week bar one has been beautifully clear, wonderful star gazing but no lights. Oh, well, I suppose we'll just have to go further North - one day perhaps.

First Snow

Oooh, it's snowing.  Proper stuff (well almost, still a little wet) but it's settling and word is it's white over on top, looks like it's got a reasonable covering.  First time this winter.

Another stunning sunrise

Pink this morning not gold like yesterday and it didn't last as long, it had faded after about 15 mins.

Then on the way back from our walk this morning two Canada geese flew over head, honking loudly.

Sunrise

Wow, this was what greeted us this morning.

 

  Simply stunning.

Autumn gales and spring flowers

The wind has picked up again today, amber warnings of gale force winds this evening and they were right. The wind is battering the back of the house meaning the aga is struggling to get her breath and is running on low but Pig has gone out due to no draw - the chimney being in a dead spot between the ridges! Whilst the wind is whistling in the chimney of the open fire which is drawing well.

In the garden yesterday I noticed a wild primrose had a couple of flowers fully open and lots of buds, the witch hazel has just opened the first couple of flowers today with lovely yellow ribbons blowing in the breeze (before the gale strengthened) and the Christmas box is still blooming well producing a wonderful honey scent around the front door.