Hobbies and Crafts

We seem to have 2 Hawks around .Not sure what they are.But they aren't Buzzards or Kites.They are smaller,but still a fair size.We also found a dead rabbit that been eaten in the garden.
It is so nice now to see so many small birds back in the garden.It's quite a busy place now :-D :-D

Hello Jane:)

Could they be Sparrow hawks?

The other day Vic had just bought his paper and was walking back to his car when a Sparrowhawk flew past and grabbed a c/dove....it landed about 10ft infront of Vic and another chap watching with his mouth open!!...wow:)

Bloomin frost this morning....mind you that will probably help get the birds back to our feeders:)

Take care
jude x

Jude .I'm thinking they could be Sparrow Hawks.They make quite a noise too.
Lots of Pheasants trying to keep safe.'cos the guns are out now :-S

Awww poor things:((

jude x

ps...must add some photo's to blog asap

~~~~~~to all

8.00 tonight on ITV1, Wild Britain with Ray Mears........

......on Skomer Island :-D

......with puffins :-D :-D

We had a couple of screaming jays here in the week - making their presence known, like they do! Beautiful plumage, unfortunately they don't park themselves where I can get a good shot :-(

Not much in the way of dickie birds but I have lots of lovely spiders, one of which has nested under the base of a hanging feeder so I'm reluctant to take it down to clean and replenish.

Morning:)
We wtached the Ray Mears programme then Autumn Watch...both brilliant as usual:)
l tried downloading photo's to my blog last night but gave up.....grr it just would'nt send the photo's. Will try again asap.

jude:)

Well ,what a dreadful time here for the wildlife! 2 weeks on and the fire from a recycling place is still burning.There is not 1 bird in my garden,not even on the feeders.The smoke has been so thick and acrid here today it is really not possible to even go in the garden .Only to let Chester out to do his wees .

This is the second fire at the same place.The first was Sept 25th and tis one started on the 11th of Oct.I can't see an end to it yet either.

The fire is at Blackbridge Farm .Buton latimer.I think you may find something on google.
There are 2 Mares in Foal just across the way and I know their owner is worried sick that all this acrid smoke may harm them.
I have had to seal my open fireplace with paper to stop the smeech getting down the chimney into the lounge :-S :-S

Are they being fined for pollution Jane? Sounds as if they should be.

I don't know Ann,but they damn well should be.I think the fire brigade have had huge problems in working out how to actually deal with it.The area of the the second fire is the size of a Football pitch.It just seems to be going on for so long.I had to get a puffer for my son ,and eye drops for me today.Plus taking an antihistamine each day.
'tis not a lot of fun living here right now :-| :-|

Hello Jane......just read an article about this. l remember you saying back in September and since about the fires. l am sorry, it must be awful for you all and of course the wild life!!

Take care

jude x

I just hope we get a change in the wind tonight Jude to take it away.I feel like a moaning Minny (sorry) but it has been and still is horrible.
Fingers crossed we get some rain tonight too .That might help.I will send you a pic or two of the smoke.

Take care Jane!!

jude x

I felt a bit like a terrorist this morning ,with a scarf wrapped around my nose and mouth lol..........it smells a little better outside now.......not a lot but a slight improvement .I just hope it is better for the birds tomorrow.I have missed them today.

I assume it is a private recycling plant Jane and not under the 'umbrella' of the council? I imagine it will have plastic bottles which will be what the awful smell will be.

Yes Ann ,it is not council owned.It did say in the paper the other week that they had been fined £20.000last year for burying some rubbish (that they shouldn't have).We still don't know how the 2 separate fires started.Although I think they may know the reason for the first one .But it hasn't been made public knowledge yet.
I am off to bed now ,but won't be able to open my window.I normally have it open every night. :-( :-(

I just spoke to my friend 5 doors down.She is a local Parish Councilor.She has had the 'LOOK EAST' TV to interview her this evening on the fire and smoke.Tomorrow morning at 8amshe has Northampton Radio coming.She want's me there,with other neighbours to put our side of things to do with the smoke.
I have a list of 8 things I have had to deal with.But one of the big things is ....I will mention the lack of wildlife in my garden when the smoke is bad.
It is very stinky again tonight.
It says in the local paper tonight ,the fire will burn for at least another 2 weeks :-S :-S :-S

Hello Jane

Good luck to you all, surely something else can be done.
Take care

jude x

Nudge for the thread.
Fire still burning here :-S.It will be 4 weeks on Tuesday.Two horses opposite have been seen by the vet for breathing problems related to all the smoke.
But touch wood it won't be causing the horrendous problems for much longer.It is strange though that if the wind blows it this way in the garden all the birds go quiet and disappear.
The blooming Squirrels have found the Peanut ball :-| :-|.It is incredible the positions they can get themselves into to get at the nuts lol
Hope all is well with you all.I hope all the pets won't be too scared tonight with fireworks.My dog freaks out !!!!

Has the thread died? I do hope it hasn't.
My son got a pic of a Stoat in the garden with a mouse (or something) in it's mouth.
Yesterday when the dog went for walkies with my son they almost came face to face with a Deer,before it took off across the field.

Hi Everyone
Sorry I haven't added for a long time. I have been reading though.
We are filling the seed feedres again and still have our golfinches. Many others visit to feed too.
I have noticed a lot of birdsong too, more like spring than autumn !! The blackbirds were beautiful this morning.

Keep this going and I will try to add more often

Linda X <3