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I have been trying to find the time to get…

I have been trying to find the time to get an infra-red lamp working to see the Pond next to the Lake where the Otter killed a Fish that Julia told you about on her stay a Denbury a few weeks ago. The lamp is position to see the Otter if it attempts to get a Fish. We seem to have been fortunate up to now as it seems that the Otter is only visiting the Pond now and then. I have started to put an electric fence around the Pond but if the Otter does not cause e any problems I will leave it as it is and we may see it.

We were not so fortunate a few years back when we must have had an Otter visiting who had Pups. Every morning for weeks we would find the scale of our biggest Fish on the bank where the Otter had eaten the night before. Never did find their Holt. After we started to walk the dogs around the Lake we had a lot less problems. The Otter must not have liked the Dogs scent. Although it could well have been that the Otter had taken all of the biggest Fish and wasn’t to fussed about the others.

A lot of fisheries are having to close because of the Otter problem. Lakes are very expensive to protect from Otters, unless they have a mains electric supply they need expensive fencing. We are fortunate having electric close to the Lake so we can use electric fencing that is a less costly option. The Environment Agency needs to act to help fishery owners to protect their investments or there will be a decline of Otters when owners decide to take the law into their own hand and start killing Otters. The Otter was all but extinct in a lot of Counties, but with the reintroduction there are becoming to many and they are causing problems. The reason for them nearly becoming extinct was for one reason only, that was that the Otter was killing to many Fish in the Lakes, Rivers and Streams, Fish that people would catch and eat before transport made it possible for delivery of fresh Fish to shops. Otter hunting was carried out for that reason and that caused the decline of the Otter, not pesticide killing them. It is not rocket science all you need is to read Tarka the Otter. With the protection of our Lake that I have put in, that was also to protect the wildlife we as of yet have only had a small loss of our Fish.

About eight Canada Geese where on the Lake yesterday morning. Four were pairs who had been there for a couple of Days. One pair from last year. It made the Gander let the others know that the Goose was his and I saw them mating. When the others flew off they took with them one of the Ganders, so at the moment there are just three left. It is looking promising that on pair will nest as there are no arguments as yet with the Black Swans.

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I have been trying to find the time to get…

I have been trying to find the time to get an infra-red lamp working to see the Pond next to the Lake where the Otter killed a Fish that Julia told you about on her stay a Denbury a few weeks ago. The lamp is position to see the Otter if it attempts to get a Fish. We seem to have been fortunate up to now as it seems that the Otter is only visiting the Pond now and then. I have started to put an electric fence around the Pond but if the Otter does not cause e any problems I will leave it as it is and we may see it.

We were not so fortunate a few years back when we must have had an Otter visiting who had Pups. Every morning for weeks we would find the scale of our biggest Fish on the bank where the Otter had eaten the night before. Never did find their Holt. After we started to walk the dogs around the Lake we had a lot less problems. The Otter must not have liked the Dogs scent. Although it could well have been that the Otter had taken all of the biggest Fish and wasn’t to fussed about the others.

A lot of fisheries are having to close because of the Otter problem. Lakes are very expensive to protect from Otters, unless they have a mains electric supply they need expensive fencing. We are fortunate having electric close to the Lake so we can use electric fencing that is a less costly option. The Environment Agency needs to act to help fishery owners to protect their investments or there will be a decline of Otters when owners decide to take the law into their own hand and start killing Otters. The Otter was all but extinct in a lot of Counties, but with the reintroduction there are becoming to many and they are causing problems. The reason for them nearly becoming extinct was for one reason only, that was that the Otter was killing to many Fish in the Lakes, Rivers and Streams, Fish that people would catch and eat before transport made it possible for delivery of fresh Fish to shops. Otter hunting was carried out for that reason and that caused the decline of the Otter, not pesticide killing them. It is not rocket science all you need is to read Tarka the Otter. With the protection of our Lake that I have put in, that was also to protect the wildlife we as of yet have only had a small loss of our Fish.

About eight Canada Geese where on the Lake yesterday morning. Four were pairs who had been there for a couple of Days. One pair from last year. It made the Gander let the others know that the Goose was his and I saw them mating. When the others flew off they took with them one of the Ganders, so at the moment there are just three left. It is looking promising that on pair will nest as there are no arguments as yet with the Black Swans.

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Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on…

Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Last year I discovered to my delight a hole in my lawn where some bees had set up home underground Jordan, was in his glory. I tried to get some good shots but couldn’t manage it for love nor money. But I came across this one today whilst looking through my photos. Its pretty clear for me. Karen Stoke.

When we lived in Bath, just a short distance from our pub was The Cross Bath. Every year, a duck (called Gertrude, I think) would return to raise her brood – here are some pictures I took at the time. Incidentally, when they were planning to “update” the whole Roman Bath complex, there was a netting placed over the Cross Bath to prevent the ducks from getting in. This did not deter “Gertrude” who managed, with the help of the WWF, to raise one last brood before the reconstruction could take place.
Julia.

Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonfly. Bob.

We have lost the first Gosling from on the Lake. Last night before I went to bed I went as I do every night to check to make sure that the Electric fencer was on and working. It was not on. On walking around the Lake I could only see five Geese. Being so dark I could not see what they were. I checked around a wide area for over an hour as there was a possibility that now that the Goslings are practicing flying the missing may have flown from the fenced area. On checking the electric fencing there was no sign that any predator had come through the fencing. A good indicator would be that the wire would be loose, none was. On my way back to the Farm House close to the Lake I heard a large splash from the stream that runs along the length of the stream, the Lake is fenced from the stream to stop any thing from getting to the Lake from the stream. I could see nothing in the stream when I searched with my torch.

My first job this morning even before feeding the Horses was to see what Geese were on the Lake. I found the Gander and five Goslings. Just after 9.30am I went to the Lake again and found out from one of our Holiday Guests who was fishing that the Goose had flown back onto the Lake at about half an hour before. I have checked around all the areas where a Fox or Otter may have taken its prey but have found no signs of the missing Gosling. I would have expected to have found some feathers.

I really don’t know what has happened to the Gosling. There are a number of scenario’s. one with the fencer not being on an Otter has got into the Lake area and escaped with the Gosling along the stream. A Fox may have jumped the wire and taken the Gosling. The Gosling may have flown over the wire and been taken by a predator or may even be lost.

If the Gosling has been taken by a predator I have myself to blame. I believe that I put the electric fence on when I last left the Lake. I rarely forget, but it is a possibility yesterday as I was back and forward showing those of our new holiday Guests who were here to fish how to turn the electric fencer on and off that I turned the switch the wrong way. I don’t believe that any of our guests went to the Lake after me as the rain was quite heavy.

My guess would be that an Otter got under the lower wire. An Otter would have touched the wire but as the fencer was off it would have taken no notice. Whilst taking the Gosling the Otter would have frightened the Goose who flew away. And of course I heard a heavy splash from something in the stream. There is a slim chance that the Gosling flew off and the Goose followed. It is just a guessing game. But for sure if it was me I wont do it again.

Our Goose with the stitches is doing well. She is having a little difficulty getting about in he pillow case, but it is stopping her from pecking at the injury.

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Starting from number six there are five new photographs on…

Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Nearly out of photographs.

Chris thought I needed cheering up, so this afternoon we visited Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, near Bristol. Julia .

Every day we can see the Goslings getting bigger and changing colour and gaining confidence in what they do. They are starting to swim away leaving their parents on the bank. Over the past few days the Goslings have been trying out their wings in earnest. They really seem to be enjoying themselves moving quickly over the surface of the Lake, then diving under the water before preening themselves.

It wont be long before they try to take their first flight. That is when they will be in danger. For they will be liable to land on the other side of the electric fencing. If we are unable to guide them back to the safety behind the electric fence the Fox will have easy pickings.

The other danger for the Goslings are the over head cables as there is a chance that they will hit them on taking off and landing. I hope that as they have seen them since hatching they will realise the danger the overhead wires will be.

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Starting from number one there are five new photographs on…

Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

More photographs from Zambia. Rose W’canton.

I had missed these photographs that Rose had sent in. These are the very last that we have.

I am not going to say anything about the Geese and Goslings, other than the electric fencing should stop any thing from going into the Lake area from the ground. From above is something out of my control.

Yesterday and about a week back a new pair of Geese landed on the large pond next to the Lake. On the first occasion our Gander flew through the electric fencing to chase them off. As its feet were not on the floor he would not have got a shock. If he had got caught up in the fencing wire he may of hurt himself. The other Geese left soon after.

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Starting from number five there are five new photographs on…

Starting from number five there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

TREE ON THE MOORS IN DERBYSHIRE. LYNNE.

SAME TREE AT SUNSET. LYNNE.

CAN YOU SPOT WHATS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PHOTO HIDING BEHIND THE LEAVES!! LYNNE.

MY TAME ROBIN TAKING MEAL WORMS FROM MY HAND. LYNNE

I don’t mind sarcastic remarks on the Forum as long as they are signed. Who ever it was please let me know who you are and I will approve your entry. It is remarks like you made that make me wonder why I bother to continue with the website. I spend to much time, effort and money keeping this website running, to have to worry about what people think of any decisions I may make. It could well be a disappointed owner, a little sore that the sale didnt happen.

I had not checked when the Goslings were going to hatch. By the way that the Goose was looking around this morning I thought that there was a fair chance that the eggs had hatched. We have done as much as we can to protect the Goslings and our Fish. I will check every night that the electric fence is working, and hope that all that has been done will stop any predators.

As I was going to feed the Badger last night I saw four Red Deer cross from the Stream into the direction of the Wood on the left hand side. When I got back to the Farm House I turned my private view on, but they were just disappearing into the Wood. To late to put them on to the webcam. Twice over the evening there were two single Roe Deer eating by the side of the Stream. There seems to be more Deer visiting the Valley. It could only have been the Cows and the Electric fencing that stopped them from visiting last year as much as they normally did. I will put the Valley Camera on after the Badgers have eaten all of their food on webcamn 2.

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Starting from number six there are five new photographs on…

Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Starling i sitting in my apple tree. Vicky.

Sleeping mute swan taken at Markeaton Park in Derby. Vicky.

Seagulls fighting for food on the river Trent. Vicky.

Sun over the river Trent. Vicky.

In light of the predicted snow, thought this may amuse. Edenfield,Lancashire in 1940 – we don’t have bad winter’s afterall!! Janice Leeds.

We have only had as much snow at Danbury as we have had since 3.30pm today once before, it must have been about seven years ago. Then we got snowed in for a couple of days. By the looks of it it could well be as bad this time. We have had 2″ already.

I put the Badger food out at the normal time tonight, but it looks as if the snow has covered it already, even though instead of spreading it about I put it in a pile. If the Badgers come looking for the food I should think that they will find it. I can see one Badger is feeding on the lower feeding spot.

What I did notice when I went to feed the Badgers were what looked like small Deer foot prints in the snow. There were quite a lot of them leading from the where I leave the footpath to the feeding place. But I did not see any Deer. If I get time tomorrow it is my intention to take Julia and Chris to our new woods, it will be interesting what footprints we see on the way.

I think it was Saturday that the Geese returned to the Lake, they stayed for a good while, with the Goose going onto the Island. I am sure that this pair of geese were the last pair we saw on the Lake last year. Some thing must have taken the Gosling making the Geese fly off. I will increase the height of the electric fence this year, that should protect the Geese nesting. The Electric fencing that we use around the Lake is stranded wire and a 12 volt mains operated electric fencer. It has quite a kick to it that I found out when I accidentally got my foot in between two of the wires. I got three shocks from it, believe me I wont be going back for another dose. On Saturday I found that some thing had also got a shock as one wires had been broken. It would have been very hard to break. On Sunday I found another one of the wires at the other end of the Lake broken. I cant imagine that it was the same animal going back, if it was I don’t think that it will try to get to the Lake for a while.

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Starting from number one there are five new photographs on…

Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

We dont have enough photographs for tomorrows Photo Page.

These are all taken at the German Fair in hyde park london. Sarah.

For the past few mornings just before our alarm clock has gone off to wake us we have been woken by Geese or a Goose leaving the Lake. We haven’t seen one on the Lake during in the day so we can only assume that it or they landed on the lake during the night or early in the morning.

We haven’t managed to find the time to do the fencing that we had hoped to do to try to protect any Geese or Swans that may decide to nest on the Lake next year, although there is in place the electric fencing to stop the Otter from eating our fence. That fencing is three strands of wire about four eight and a foot above the ground. It will stop the Otter but little else. We are though able to put more strands of wire on the posts as the posts are about three foot high. I should think that three more strands of wire on the post about every eight inches will stop a Fox or Badger from getting the Geese. Although the electric fence is only 12 volt the one that we are using around the Lake is mains powered so the 12 volts is constant and throws out quite a shock that I found out to my cost. I was showing an erosion expert who I was seeking advice from around the Lake. Some how, don’t ask me how or why, I put my foot in-cased in a heavy boot through two of the strands of wire. One shock was bad enough but I finished getting four as I was unable to get my booted foot out from between the two wires. Electric fences are not constantly live, they pulse every second or so. The shock that I got will definitely keep Foxes, Badgers and Otters from the Lake.

Emmi and Lady have been calling out a lot less for today and we have only heard Socks and Solo call back a couple of times. Hopefully the weaning process will not be to stressful for them.

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Starting from number six there are five new photographs on…

Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

A few shots taken at Newstead Abbey last week

Found this gent fishing in the pond in the gardens. I think he’s all hand woven.

Some Funghi in the woods. I think its called Cup Fungi or Peziza succosa.It is Poisonous.

View across the lake.

Some strange weavings. Again all hand made

Just for Jordan, a young Red Cap (Fly Agaric) Very Poisonous. From Judy.

Only photographs for one day are left.

I believe that the Otter may have tried to get onto the Lake on Sunday night. The electric wire on the stream side had been disturbed as if it had tried to get through. It is not a very large shock. just enough for any thing that touches to think about not wanting to touch it again. It should not stop the Otter from returning to the area of the Lake but it will remember the wire when it sees it and will not cross it.

Unfortunately electric fencers do stop other animals. We can see by Badger tracks that they use the Lake to drink from, As Badgers have short legs they will be unable to get across the wire without touching it, although it is only about twelve inches from the ground. The Fox would naturally jump the low wire. We walked around the Lake to show one of our Holiday Guests the Lake. Without realising Thornton was following us and he touched the wire. He only ran a few yards back, but I can tell you he wasn’t best pleased. We will need to fix a permanent fence with a gate to protect the Lakes. There is a little Leat Pond that water flows into the Lake from that the Badgers will be able too use.

The Female Reindeer’s damage around her mouth looks a lot better today. She is still eating and drinking well but the scouring has not stopped. As soon as it does we will be able to return her and the Female that is keeping her company back to the Reindeer Field.

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There are five new photographs on the Photo page from…

There are five new photographs on the Photo page from number six that are all from Vicky.

Goldfinch taken in my garden. Vicky.

A pair of black swans and there signets taken at Cricket St Thomas. Vicky.

A coot feeding her babies taken at Mapperly in ilkeston. Vicky.

A photo of my first passion flower this year. Vicky.

A Lime Hawk Moth that i took last year in my garden. Vicky.

We noticed that Gypsy had quite a large lump and a cut on her offside rear leg. It thought that it was probably a kick from one of the other Horses when they were having a run about. This evening when we let the Horses in for their feed Emmi had a kick on one of her rear leg. When we let the Horses out Gypsy was by the gate and she has got a kick mark on her nearside rear leg. Gypsy must have got the injury this afternoon as she was sitting on her own when I put the Horses on the webcams this afternoon.

Thinking back over the last couple of days I remembered that I had caught a quick glimpse of the Horses running around in what looked like a fun session that they sometimes have. When they stopped Breeze backed in to the group in what looked like a half hearted threat, or was it. I haven’t taken the chance. Breeze is being kept in for the night as she may be up to her old tricks again, trying to be the boss again. Trouble is when she decides that all is not going as she wants she starts to Herd all of the Horses up. That alright as long as she is not being a bully. Horses instinctively have leaders and they will give threats to show that they are.

As last year before we let Breeze out in the Field with the other Horses, we sectioned her off behind an electric fenced area so that she got use to the Mares with their Foals and Willow and Gypsy. As every year we let the battery on the electric loose its charge, eventually Breeze goes through the fence and joins the other Horse. This year she was the best that she had been. No running around it was just a nice herd,. It doesn’t seem to have lasted going by the minor injuries that Emmi and Gypsy have. We will section Breeze off behind an electric fenced area again tomorrow. Hopefully it will calm he down.

We cant take the chance with the Foals if there are arguments between the Horses. I should think that it is Emmi that Breeze disapproves of. When Willow and Gypsy play with the Foals they naturally will get close to the Mares, Breeze will then try to keep them away from Emmi and that is when the running around and kicking starts. Mind you I could well be wrong and it is not Breeze. Though the Horse field is calm tonight.