Country File

[Techno II]

Ditto..Good to hear that  Mark !!

Grass snakes ?

Decades ago, I was found one, while I was playing golf...picked it up...took it over to show my opponent.....He went as white as a sheet. I honestly didn't realise he was terrified of snakes.
His game went to absolute pieces after that. 

Last one I saw over here was on the track opposite......3 (?) years ago...It was probably for hunting frogs on the 'marsh'.

Cheers - Phil

[Heedless Horseman]

One of our neighbours on our street found a grass snake in his garden today.
We are fairly central in out town too!

Wow! Never seen one... only seen an Adder Once... horse saw it first! Snakes are the 'unloved'.But, wouldn't care to live where the 'nasties', are!
Remember a 'pub' excursrion to Blackpool. Big, Rough Tough Farmer lad allowed a local 'act' to wind it's way over him. Almost Wee'd himself... but Brave lad! Wouldn't care for it myself! LOL!

[Heedless Horseman]

Was asked by a neiighbour if Hedgehogs  going into hibernation yet?. Don't think so...I'm pretty sure they will be out and about for a couple of months, yet. Need to Feed!
However, if you have 'Hogloos' or whatever... could be a time to check and remove and replace 'old bedding'... wear gloves for scent and 'Fleas / Ticks'.
Small bags of Hay for Rabbit fodder available in Tesco, etc.

[FierceKitty]

I'd have a wild punt...that when they come down the chimney, there are something around a couple of dozen of the wee chaps (No...what am I saying.....they'll be females)...that I have to encourage out of a window

As far as I'm aware, Mrs Queen had NEVER graced us with her presence.....Otherwise we might have had the whole 'swarm' in the living room.

That would probably NOT be much fun.

Cheers - Phil.

I dreamed last night that I was playing a battle and my general knocked over a beehive and was stung to death (according to the random events table).

[Heedless Horseman]

Well... it's similar to when a rather 'uncomfortable' French Emperor, got up in a 'hurry'... saying "WTF YOU laughing about Ney... just... go and DO something, will you!" 

[Techno II]

Going back to the countryside......

I think we must have had an 'explosion' in the gray squirrel population over here.....'all of a sudden' there seem to be oodles, and I mean LOTS of squirrel corpses flattened on the road between home, and Cardigan. I've even seen one outside the back door attacking the peanuts in the bird feeder.
That's the first I've one I've seen at Techno Towers for YEARS.

Cheers - Phil.

[Steve J]

We now have a regular grey squirrel to our garden, the first time in the 17 odd years we lived here . We have loads in our local woods and park too.

[Heedless Horseman]

Greys... well, local Red  Support Groups will NOT be happy... unless 'flattening' the Geys! lol.
Might be worth contacting... could be a 'new variant' of the 'pox' about.
Beginnings of Autumn... feed, feed, feed!

Would like the little Reds to re-appear, hut haven't seen anything for couple of years.

[Techno II]

I've never seen a red 'in the flesh'...I'm very envious !

Cheers - Phil.

[Heedless Horseman]

We used to have regukars about 20yrs ago... but singles. Put up boxes... but no takers apart from Wasps and Starlings. Birdnut feeder about 10ft from back window... so used to see in various 'contotrions'.... and that 'TAIL'!
One seemed to building a Drey next door... but prob. just a temp 'Flat'.

Only seen One Grey local... possibly another 'migrant'. But no recent views of Reds... probably too much Tree lopping. And , OUR Scots Pine NEEDS to come down... 'leans' towards house... just haven't got round to that yet.

[Heedless Horseman]

As a 'little Good Thing'... 'something' has flown out of what I had assumed to be an unused 'Cheap', Wall birdbox... on evening Dog walk.  Sometimes there are 'plusses'.

[FierceKitty]

I've never seen a red 'in the flesh'...I'm very envious !

Cheers - Phil.

Not at all unusual in central Europe. Cute little chaps.

[Heedless Horseman]

Toads. Think there was one in Garage once... long time back. Usually some frogs around and used to spawn in stream... but not much chance there. Was a spell when there were Newts in garden pond... but think Dragonfly Larvae will have did for progeny.
Now pond partially cleaned out... more chance for something...  Frogs, anyway.
Do others see Toads much?

[Steve J]

No toads here, but plenty of frogs.

[Techno II]

Both around here.

The 'bog' over the road is a haven for them, adders and grass snakes. and sadly, at the right time of year, the tiny little biting midges.

Cheers - Phil.

[Heedless Horseman]

Be thankful it it is there. As a kid... 'wet' meadow / rough grazing was just across the road. Been Housing Estate  for 30+ years. Used to pick  'Dog Daisies'  there for Ma. NOW... more t***s with LOUD cars,  Garden / Xmas lights... not many Pheasants around now.
Still. OUR estate was once  OUR meadow, too... so shouldn't whinge. Just wish 'Boom' in  'Development' prices had been just couple of years earlier1 

[Techno II]

The midges very rarely bother yours truly......Von obviously tastes much nicer than I do.

The midges love her to bits ! (Poor lass).

Cheers - Phil.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

They have tatste Phil. To busy dodging idiots to see any wild life apart from 2 sheep, but Derwent Water was very low.

[Steve J]

I always get bitten, my wife, who is African, they leave alone .

[Steve J]

I popped into my old workplace today to take part in some research, the first time in 18 months or so. By God I realised how dirty central Bristol is and there is no greenery where I used to work, which really struck me after spending so much time outdoors since I retired. It felt very depressing to be indoors in somewhere so gloomy and devoid of greenery.

Fortunately this malaise was remedied by sitting in the garden, watching the butterflies and a warbler fly past and settle in a tree. Magical!