Elsie asked how any one could kill such a beautifull as a Pheasant.
Month: May 2007
I got up early this morning to see how the Geese with the Goslings had got on over night. As every year, the Goslings had gone. The Geese were on the pond next to the lake, calling and looking for their missing Goslings. When they saw me they came in my direction, calling a little louder as if I may of known where their Goslings were. Cats, Rats, Carrion or Fox, I have never found out what takes them every year. I could well be a combination of all or some. It is very sad. The Geese will stay around for a few days before leaving, returning now and then for an hour or so throughout the summer. It does not matter how many times the Goslings are taken, it no less sad for the Geese, they always swim around the lake looking so proud with the Gosling in a flotilla. They will return next year. No matter how much I try to stop them from staying, they always nest on the island. The other pair of Geese still return most days, they could try to nest on the island, once the others leave.
We introduced Lady and the Filly with Bliss and Misty in the field this morning. Lady decided that she did not want to be with the youngsters, I thought that we may well have had a disaster the way Lady was panicking, and trying to get out of the field. You may have seen her galloping at full speed up and down the field, three or four times, the Filly was hardly able to keep up with her. We were by the gate, she was running at full speed towards the gate, if we had not had been there waving our arms, she would have gone through. At one time Bliss and Misty decided to go a little nearer to Lady, she lunged at them, Bliss being very lucky not to have been bitten. Once Lady had calmed down a little, we let Woody out. Most of the time when she was first let out, Woody was staying close by Lady, giving the Foal a little more protection. The youngsters are keeping their distance from Lady the Foal and Woody, although Woody will try to make the youngster part of her herd, whilst Breeze is not about. The Horses don’t take long to settle and they will soon start to accept each other and get a little closer. Breeze and Arnie when let out with Bliss and Misty, surprised me, by all but ignoring the youngsters. She will start herding them over the next days and will be a good friend to them.
A little while back I was moaning about the lack of rain and how the grass had not grown. It has made up for it now. I think I like the global warming better. We have had so much rain in the past few days that the Horse field is starting to get very muddy near the gate. It seems that the only time the forecaster get it half right is when there is wall to wall sunshine. Five to six years ago we were making the hay. To make good hay you need a minimum of five days of good hot sun shine. The grass it mowed, then turned every day, some times twice so that it fully dries, only when fully dried can it be baled up. What you don’t want is it to be rained on after it is made. Any damp will make mouldy hay, making it useless. On the fifth or sixth day the grass was fully dried, we had made very good hay. We could have baled it that day, being pushed for time we checked the BBC local forecast. The forecaster told us, continued wall to wall sunshine, with no chance of rain. We decided to leave the baling until the next day. When I woke next morning it had poured of rain overnight. I was so annoyed after listening to the forecaster the previous night, that I phoned the BBC, I even managed to speak to the forecaster. I was even more annoyed when he told me that he had seen on the south coast that there could be a chance of rain, coming in my direction, but as it seemed that it would not amount to much, he did not mention it. I could not believe what I was hearing, this was harvesting and hay making time, and it was not worth mentioning. As it happened after the hay had dried again we did make good hay. I even got an apology from the Met Office.
I have checked out the Swallows nest and there are five eggs.
I have left messages for the past three days for the Veterinary to phone me with what they have discussed about Woody, I am still waiting. She is up and down from day to day. You may have seen her in the field with Bliss and Misty. She was running around, rounding them up as if she was as fit as a fiddle.
The Geese eggs hatched today, I really didn’t know until I scanned around the lake this afternoon. I counted four Goslings. I thought that there was about ten days to go before the eggs were due to hatch. I wanted to get something up to frighten the Carrion Crows and Rooks from taking them. As soon as I saw the Goslings I went over to our farm suppliers, a round journey of thirty miles, to see what bird scarers they had. I have a banging bird scarer, but that is liable to scare other wildlife and the Horses.
I managed get two scarers with bright coloured eyes that are meant to turn in the wind. They didn’t turn very well, as they were poorly made. I should think that I will be taking them back to the suppliers. I have put them around the lake for now, I am sure that it is not going to stop the Goslings from being taken by their predators. Last year they were all gone in the first day. There has been a workman repairing our driveway very near the Geese, I should think that is why none have been taken today. It does sadden me when I see them disappearing.
Unbeknown to me, whilst I was collecting the scarers, Bliss and Misty were let out into the main Horse field. I had wanted to let you see them turned out on camera. They did have a mad ten minutes running around , kicking and bucking. Bliss ran back to the gate and her brakes didn’t work to well, It didn’t help as it had just rained cats and dogs, and she skidded into the gate. fortunately she did not hurt herself. The Fillies would not have been let out, if the forecast had said it was to rain as it has this afternoon. You would reckon with all the satellites and equipment these meteorologists have, they would manage to forecast it right more often than they do. We will let Lady and the Foal out with them in the morning and Breeze and Arnie tomorrow afternoon. There will be a bit of running about then. I will let them out at about 4.pm if you want to see them.
I am pleased some of you managed to see the Deer last night on camera 1. They were a small herd of Red Deer. If you noticed they were a lot bigger than the Roe Deer that we usually see. One of the best ways to recognise the Red Deer is that they are mostly quite deep in the barrel. If you saw the last one go out of sight it was on its way to towards the Farmhouse. I will see if they are about tonight, but the Red Deer are not as territorial as the Roe Deer.
Hopefully you have seen the Swallow camera. I did not manage to count how many eggs were in the nest, If I remember I will count them tomorrow. It was good to see the two Red Squirrels in the nest box at the SWT centre. I just wonder if it is going to happen. They have received the new miniature colour camera for the nest box, that I sent them. If Red Squirrels keep returning you should soon see them in colour.
Going by Barry’s entry on the forum today, Rye Harbour is having a bit of trouble with the bigger Gulls, that are taking the Black Headed Gull and Common Terns eggs. Last year they had Gulls nesting on the web cams, it was very good with a not a particularly good camera. This year it should be pretty spectacular with the camera in the position it is and the excellent pictures that they are producing.
There were two good sightings on the cameras in the past twenty four hours, with a bit of luck some of you saw them.
At about 9.pm last night I turned the valley camera on and there was a Muntjac Deer. I have never seen one on the camera at night before. I have only ever seen them in the day, and more than not with a Fawn. I always seem to startle them, the Hind going one way and the Fawn the other. I always feel guilty and worry that they may lose each other. Of course the next time I see them they are together again. The Muntjac is not a native breed, although I have not looked it up, I was told that they originated from China, and imported by a wealthy land owner, some of them escaped and colonised in this country.
The other sighting was on the normally SWT Blue Tit nest camera page. The centre Manager told me that when they looked at the nest box, that was put up for the Woodpeckers, there was a Red Squirrel in the box, he immediately put it on so that we could all see it. Unfortunately it was a black and white camera. It was very still when I saw it, looking like a ball of fluff, I thought at first that it was some sort of Mouse, until it moved. It slept in the box for a good while before moving onto the feeder, by the side of the nest box. The Red Squirrel did not return to the box, but there is a chance that it may return and breed. I have sent a colour camera to the SWT centre, to install in the box. If it does return we will be able to see it in colour. The Red Squirrel by all accounts breeds in the latter part of May. It could well be that it is looking for a nesting site.
When the new cameras are installed at the Lock of the Lowe’s centre there will be other wildlife to see. I understand that it could be this weekend.
I managed to install the Swallow camera today, it tuned out to take longer that I thought it would, because of the type of camera it is, it needs a piece of equipment to make it work on my system. This camera is controlled from one of my computers, on the computer it is the correct way up, on your computers the wrong way. It should have been installed in only one position and I forgot. I hope not to many of you saw the picture upside down. I will have to change it around first thing in the morning, then you will be able to see the nest. The Swallow is sitting on the eggs, but I will try to count how many there are.
I lost all track of time whilst installing the Swallow camera, by the time I had finished I realised that I had not phoned the Veterinary about Woody. She has been up on her legs all day and looks a lot better than she did yesterday and the day before. I will contact them tomorrow.
Bliss and Misty.
Foal getting wet
rain grass
5 red deer last night
no hedghogs seen more in london
The Veterinary did not get together today to discuss Woody. They have assured me that they will tomorrow. My understanding from the veterinary was that melanomas can also be inside Horses, that is why it would be a problem for Woody if she does have them.
I was fortunate to catch on the Moorhen with her chicks on camera this afternoon. They were feeding under the Bird feeders, by the lake. It must have been a couple of weeks ago that I first saw them, I had disturbed them as I was walking around the lake, they were swimming in between the reeds and broke cover as they tried to get as far away as they could, from me, after I had disturbed them. On my first sighting of the Moorhen with her chicks, there were six babies, and she has managed to keep all six alive, going by what I saw today.
The Moorhens and Coots are more successful than the Ducks and Geese in keeping their chicks from danger. Most years there are at least some of the chicks alive. The Moorhen and Coots seem to be able to lose themselves on the lake and race with their feet hardly touching the water to hide themselves in the reeds if they believe they are in danger.
I hope some of you saw Tass, Ky and Jade on their walk today. When it rains we try to keep the dogs in more than out, or the kitchen floor becomes dirty every time they go out. When that happens they always go for a walk down the valley or around the lake. Walking on the grass in these places stops them bringing mud in doors.
Ky is such a happy dog and is always playing with Tass, she also loves water. On a walk around the lake last week she walked into the lake, as it got deeper she suddenly realised that she could swim, and swam for quite a long time. When she came out she was looking very pleased with herself, and suddenly she turned around, took off, plunging herself back into the lake, with a belly flop. Now every time she has a walk around the lake, Ky goes for a swim. The good thing about the walks and swimming is that after her evening feed she crashes out for the night. The owner of Darcy, the white dog in Tass’s litter, phoned last night, with an update on him. Darcy also likes water and does the same as Ky. Darcy’s owner is the only person who had the puppies, who has kept in touch. If any other of you read this, let us know on the forum, how they are getting on.
I did not get the wire to set up the Swallow camera until late this afternoon, so it will not be going today, as long as nothing get in the way I will set it up tomorrow.
Whilst looking for an wild Owl site today, that may breed this year, I made contact with a very well known organisation, who are very keen to work with us, as I can assure you, I would be with them. A wildlife person from the organisation is going to come to the farm to discuss different sites for web cams, that they have. When I let you know who they are, you will be as surprised as I was. You shall have to be patient, but I will keep you up to date.
I spoke to the Veterinary today, about Woody. There have been two Veterinaries visiting and treating her over the past couple of months. They are going to get together tomorrow and discuss her symptoms and recent blood samples that have been taken. I will let you know what conclusion the Veterinaries come to.
In the conversation that I had with the Veterinary, we discussed the options that could be taken to find what is causing her the problems if the blood samples do not show any thing. Grey horses do tend to get melanomas more than other Horses, and at her age she could well have them, that would not be a good prognosis.
The Geese are still sitting their eggs. The pair that tried to take over the lake, visit most days, still up to mischief. They don’t stay for very long before flying off. I am not sure what age that Geese start to breed. They could well be a young pair that have not yet started to breed.
I should be getting the cable to be able to get the Swallow camera going. I will try to get it going tomorrow once I have finish my chores.
The second Scottish Wildlife Trust camera has been on line today showing a Blue Tit nest. The lights in the nest box are turned off at night, so you will only be able to view the nest during the day. Once the cameras that we have supplied are installed, the camera will be on 24/7 showing different animals at the Lock of the Lowes centre.
We are becoming international, as you can see below. We have a portal that gives us various information, one being geographical, that lists countries from where we get our visitors. The list is in order of the amount of visits from each country. To be honest some at the bottom of the list have only visited the site once, but still very interesting, well it is to me. Are there any countries missing?
It will be an interesting forum if those from the different countries use it, in their own language. I am sure you Ladies would manage some how.
United Kingdom United States Canada Netherlands Australia Spain Germany New Zealand Poland France Italy Belgium Ireland Sweden Switzerland Brazil Finland Denmark Hungary Czech Republic Turkey Portugal Norway Russian Federation Japan United Arab Emirates Austria Taiwan Israel Lithuania Slovakia India Venezuela Uruguay Romania Satellite Provider Greece Colombia China South Africa Hong Kong Mexico Malta Argentina Korea, Republic of Malaysia Thailand Trinidad and Tobago Philippines Ukraine Bulgaria Slovenia Singapore Iran, Islamic Republic of Latvia Estonia Costa Rica Kuwait Morocco Saudi Arabia Yugoslavia Europe Egypt Chile Iceland Luxembourg Cyprus Pakistan Croatia Virgin Islands, U.S. Qatar Jamaica Algeria Puerto Rico Virgin Islands, British Peru Panama Gibraltar Belarus Monaco Nigeria Indonesia El Salvador Vietnam New Caledonia Barbados Jordan Brunei Darussalam Bangladesh Oman Honduras Sri Lanka Guatemala Bahamas Syrian Arab Republic Bermuda Dominican Republic Aruba Moldova, Republic of Lebanon Uganda Bahrain Bosnia and Herzegovina Netherlands Antilles Tunisia Saint Kitts and Nevis Ecuador Macedonia Belize Kenya Cayman Islands Andorra Georgia Suriname Albania Iraq Kyrgyzstan Grenada Sudan Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Paraguay Burkina Faso Dominica Armenia Holy See (Vatican City State) Bolivia Serbia Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Maldives Botswana Tanzania, United Republic of Nicaragua Seychelles Myanmar Anonymous Proxy Nepal Ghana Yemen Papua New Guinea Angola Guam Haiti Mauritius Afghanistan Cambodia Marshall Islands Kazakhstan Azerbaijan
I have for a while thought that the Badger who comes out to feed, even before I am over the gate, waits near the path I use to get to the Badger feeding place. After tonight I know it does. I try to go a little later every night to feed the Badger, so that I am not feeding them when it is to light. Tonight I was a little later than normal. As I got to the place where I turn off of the path, the Badger was there waiting for me. It made me stop in my path, the Badger looked at me, took little notice and ambled back to the sett, as if it was telling me I was late, and about time to.
I spoke to soon about the Rooks last night. They came down tonight, over the coming days more will descend to steal a little of the Badger feed with the Magpies. The Rooks fill their mouths with as much as five pieces of bread, to take back to the Rookery to feed their young..
I have spent a good deal of the day trying to find nests to put cameras into. There are so many Birds about on the farm you would think that they would not be difficult to find. Any that I have found are in places that it is impossible to site a camera. I have two Swallow nest that I can use, but I wont have the cable to fix them up, until Wednesday. I managed to make the equipment for the Pied Wagtails nest, but I am having second thought about putting in the hole, after I disturbed the Bird when I measured the entrance hole yesterday. I would not like for the Birds to abandon the nest because of what I am doing.
I am sorry that the second Scottish Wildlife Trust camera is still not working. The centres manager who is responsible for the cameras is not back to work until tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed. Until the camera I supplied are installed they will use another of their cameras. I believe that they have a Blue Tits nest with nine eggs, that they may use. I understand that the Pine Martin and the Red Squirrels will be shown on the camera we have supplied, when they are up and running.
When we were setting up the Osprey camera page for the site, I had a private view of the nest, one of the Osprey, I assume it was the male, returned to the nest with a large Salmon to feed the female.
I am not sure what the Fox was carrying this afternoon on camera. It seemed to have a long fluffy tail. The normal camera controller is away for repair, the one I am using is a bit jerky.
A number of you have been asking again about Woody’s condition. She has not been right again today. I will have to speak to the Veterinary again tomorrow. I did say before, that her illness could well be terminal. If it is, and we are not sure, I can assure you. Then as long as we can stop her experiencing pain, we will not take any drastic action. I will keep you updated on her condition.
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The 5th and 6 of May are the days when…
The 5th and 6 of May are the days when the Rooks fledglings leave their nest, I have never seen them fly on these dates, I have only seen them high up in the branches of the tree that their nests are in the Rookery. We have two Rookeries on the Farm and I must admit I have found them to be a nuisance and noisy. They cause other farmers, especially crop farmers real problems when they sow their seeds for their crops. The Rooks will also eat the young shoots, they can do a lot of damage.
Some farmers who have rookeries will go out on the 5th and 6th of May and shoot the fledgling out of the trees, many young Rooks are killed every year. Other Farmers will shoot earlier when they are laying their eggs and try to stop them laying by shooting at the nests.
Some years back we had a problem with the Rooks with our Ostrich eggs. If we did not collect the eggs in time, the Rooks would break into the eggs with their beaks. They were worth up to
Some of you may have seen that we tried to introduce our two riding Horses with Lady and her Foal. So that it did not become to over bearing for the Foal, we would introduce Breeze first, half an hour later we would try Arnie. It did not work, Breeze being Breeze decided she would show who was in charge, which she is, although she is the smallest of our Horses, being 14.2hh. As soon as she went in the field she started to round Lady and the Foal up, of course Lady did not want Breeze to be to near the Foal and started to run away. The trouble with Breeze is that she wont give up, and immediately it became a chase. When Breeze got to near, Lady gave the sign that she was going to kick out, to stop Breeze. Most Horses would keep their distance, not Breeze, She turned her back to Lady and threw out a couple of threatening kicks towards Lady that could have well hit the Foal. Although immediately we could see that we had to catch Breeze, they were running to hard and fast for us to be able to catch her. The Foal would not have the stamina to run for to long, it could then become very ugly between Lady and Breeze, putting the Foal in a very dangerous position.
Fortunately we got in a position to be able to get in between Lady and Breeze and managed to get a head collar on Lady. Breeze is not silly she knew that we may take Lady out of the field and she made her way to the gate. We had left a Head collar on Breeze, just in case of problems and we were able to get a lead rope on her. Back to her stable she went.
It would have been good for all of the Horses to be out together. As it is Lady and the Foal with Woody are out in the day, Breeze and Arnie of a night. We need to get the two yearlings Bliss and Misty in the field. We know that there will be a chase about with Breeze, but the yearling will be bossed about because of their age, and of course will be faster and more agile to be able to get away from Breeze. We will have to fence part of the field off and put Breeze into the area, so that she will be able to get use to the Foal. We did that last year, but had hoped this year Breeze would have been better. When Breeze gets use to the idea of the Foals she is very good with them and becomes their second mum.
I was hoping to have had a new Swallow camera going today. I found a new nest, one with two eggs. I attached the wires to the camera that were there from two years back but it did not work. The camera is an Internet camera that can pan, tilt and zoom, ideal for the area. I think that the cable must be broken, I do not have any more of the cable left. I will try to put a fixed camera up tomorrow, so at least we can see something until I can get some more of the cable.
The second Scottish Widlife Trust camera could be on tomorrow.
No Karen, we have not managed to round up any more of the sheep. I think that they will be on their way to market very soon. Sheep are just to much work.
Juliet, Woody is eighteen, not over old for a broodmare. Many go on well into their twenty’s. Age was nothing to do with her still born Foal. What ever illness she had/has was the cause.
Yes Elsie, had the first full nights sleep last night, first for nearly a couple of months.
Woody has again been very well today, I must admit I am surprised.
Val, you haven’t been reading the Diary. I did tell you a lot about the two Horses. Their names are Breeze and Arnie. Breeze is a 14.2hh Palomino with Flaxen tail and mane, she is mostly Arab, and a real Barbie Doll Horse. Pretty as a picture but scatty. Arnie is the Dark Bay 17.3hh Dutch Warm blood, gentle giant.