hedgehog day

We have seen plenty of hedgehogs in the grounds recently but never during the day. This hedgehog was found curled up out in the open at midday, and that usually means something is wrong. There were no external signs of injury fortunately. After checking with St Tiggywinkles (see link), we placed it in a cardboard box with some hedgehog food (which of course we have to hand), and some water. In the absence of a local wildlife hospital, the emergency vet recommended keeping it safe for 24 hours and then releasing it back into the garden. We shall see. These situations are strangely disarming.

June treats

 a greater butterfly orchid

a tattered heath fritillary

a violet ground beetle

fledging day

all the young blackbirds flew the nest this morning except this tail end Charlie (Charlene I think). It may well be the bird rescued earlier in the week.

After we checked all was well, it eventually left the nest this evening. It has had quite an eventful start to its life.

walking with Lottie

 Lottie will do almost anything for a carrot, and was impressed by how quickly a human was able to learn her trick.

 She then had to work off all those extra calories by giving free bareback rides (only one, actually)

and of course champions make friends with champions (you know what I mean)

again for more information about this epic journey, please see the link to walkingwithawen and give generously!

walking with Lottie

We were honoured today by a visit from Jan and Lottie who are walking from the furthest point East in England to the furthest point West, both for charity, and for the life enhancing experience (see link to walkingwithawen (aka Lottie)). They have walked from Dartmoor, via Sydenham Damerel, and over Horsebridge into sunny Cornwall.  Dartmoor can be seen in the distance just above the granite gate post.

Lottie quickly made herself at home

a trip to Lundy 3

 One of the main reasons for going to Lundy at this time of year is to see the puffins at Jenny's cove. They are not easy to spot without binoculars and telephoto lenses, and the air is full of kittiwakes, razorbills and seagulls. However, if you look closely at the bottom left hand corner of the picture below

 and in the grassy area of the picture below, one can just about make out puffin-like puffins. I am not quite sure about the congregation on the rock emerging from the sea,

 but there were a lot more of them nesting on the cliff face (razorbills, and guillemots?).

There are also a lot of wheatears about, with a distinctive black eye line and flashing white tail feathers, which I think are designed to draw predators away from their nest sites.

We stayed on the island for about 4 hours, and then took 2 hours to get back to Ilfracombe, and another two hours to drive home....so a very long day travelling but worth it to see a little gem.