Sunday

02.03.2025

A check on today’s feathered visitors:  blackbirds, goldfinches, sparrows, robins, long tailed tits, blue tits, coal tits, chaffinches, magpies, doves, pigeons, crows, and Squidward the almost by now resident pheasant.

The tawny owls were very vocal this evening, and as I listened my thoughts came to thinking about the woodpeckers and how absent they had been recently in both visual visits and distant sound.  I shall make a more conscious effort to listen for them when outside in the coming days. 

Great excitement was felt when we saw that the owl box we put up a couple of years ago seems to have been in use.  We know not by what as yet (it could very well be by our grey squirrel visitors), or if indeed it does have a current actual resident, but we shall keep a gentle, distant, non-disturbing eye on any comings and goings. 

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Saturday

01.03.2025

I spent some time out in the garden today, clearing one of the border areas that I had left to grow rather terribly overgrown.  Ever mindful of the life in the soil, I carefully removed what shouldn’t be there, teasing out soil from roots as I went.  A multitude of worms, woodlice and other tiny creatures often unseen soon relocated back down into the earth.

As we put the chickens and Toby duck to bed this evening, we heard a rustle in the leafy edging by the wall.  Unsure what the cause, we were hesitate to look.  Could it be a rat?  Although we have had rats around and about, as the majority of rural properties do, we haven’t seen signs of any for a good while and I would prefer it kept that way.  It was with much relief we found the little rustler and it came in the shape of a toad – the first toad sighting of the year.  I will share a story of a toad under the bed over on my in depth writing space, it was a definite memory making moment!

I noticed that the blueberry bush I purchased last summer is sprouting well this year.  It has been much neglected, not even repotted or placed in a permanent home, and yet here it is, thriving.

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Friday

28.02.2025

Another dry day gifted me a beautiful chance to start work in the garden.  I have many plans for this year, clearing borders to create cottage style rows, and growing vegetables.

As I was busy clearing and toiling, a buzzard flying over head captured my attention for a moment.  Their soaring elegance and systematic circling is rather entrancing.  Today it was silent, with no warning calls of its presence.

There are more and more green shoots and buds every day now I’ve noticed, a true sign that Spring is determined to push her way to the front of the queue, regardless of the frosty mornings we are still experiencing here in Devon.

On our evening lane walk with Milo, we were gifted with the first daffodil in the wild.  I have had a few shop bought bunches over the past weeks, they really do bring so much delight and brightness to my home, but the first of the wild ones is a joy.

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Thursday

27.02.2025

It was an absolutely stunning day here in Devon today – still a little on the chilly side, but the skies were the bluest of blues, and the sun shone for many an hour.

Much of my time was spent doing necessary chores inside which limited my observations.  I still managed the evening lane walk with Milo the dog though, and noted the beautiful glowing hues of the sunset.  We were accompanied for part of the walk by a male blackbird fluttering on top of the hedgerow.  Tweeting ferociously as they tend to do come dusk, always keeping a few feet ahead of us as we ventured up hill, rather like he was showing us the way.

I noted that the lane daffodils look as though they will soon be bursting into life.  I am very much looking forward to being greeted by that glorious show of the instantly recognisable yellow heads as we wander, the unique shape of which is seemingly fully reserved for the daffodil family.

The snowdrops are still in full umbrella open splendour along the lane side, and primroses are dotted at irregular intervals within the hedgerow banks reminding me of little pockets of lanterns lighting the path.  I spotted this beautiful lone pink one today.

The neighbourhood guinea fowl were in fine voice this evening, making the most loudest of sounds.  Tonight it reminded me of an old creaky door.  As much as I adore their presence, on days of such a ear shattering chatter I am thankful that they reside reasonably far away from our own abode.  Definitely to be admired from a distance I think.

I learnt today that the collective noun for Guinea Fowl is ‘a confusion’ which feels rather apt.  In my experience they rarely seem to know how to get out of the way when encroached upon, and seem to forget that they have wings and are very capable of taking flight.

As we returned to our sanctuary of home, we heard the familiar ‘twit-twoo’ ing from the Tawnies.  At the time of writing (it’s 2am), I can hear them again.  They sound so very close, almost next to the house.

It is wonderful to hear nature’s voices waking up once more.

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wednesday

26.02.2025

It was a funny day weather wise today.  One minute there was a downpour of rain, and the next stunning blue skies and golden sunshine.  The temperature was certainly on the cool side, but the air fresh.  It was a joy to be outside.

Bird wise, today we had a visit from little Jenny wren.  We usually see here bobbing in and out of the flower pots, foraging what she can for both food and nest.  Today she was exploring our table, just outside the window which was joyous.  Our usual flurry of blackbirds, pigeons, doves, blue tits, goldfinches, long tail tits, robins and sparrows were also to be seen.  I don’t think that the bird feeder saw a moment of peace today.

The most beautiful Barn Owl swooped across our path this evening during our dog walk.  She (I do not know for sure, but I think of her of as a she), flew at speed and my first thought was that she was rather ghost like, silent and swift.  It was a moment that made me intake my breathe.

The unmistakable “Twit Twoo” calls of the Tawny Owl accompanied our animal chores as it got dark.  It is a sound that I have heard so often during the 12 years of dwelling here, but it never fails to make me stop, listen and smile.

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TUESday

25.02.2025

A very lovely surprise upon waking – blue skies and sunshine today, with a real rise in temperature until evening.

Oh what a difference a bright day brings, moods are lifted and energy levels revived.

The daffodils in our field are starting to bud but not yet showing signs of opening.  There are a fair few clumps this year, all looking very healthy, with their proud tall stance and wrapped brown paper bag like buds.

We spotted this mushroom on the bank of the church car park.  It was well hidden, along with another smaller in form.

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Monday

24.02.2025

The weather was very dull and often wet.  The sky was just nothingness, grey, flat.  Looking up it felt rather like a thick blanket had been strategically placed to hide any form or outline of cloud.  I noted that the visiting doves matched the above colour tone almost perfectly.

There are ever noticeable signs of Spring sprouting up and around which brings me much joy.  Today I was rather taken by the texture of the male catkins hanging in clusters on the Hazel trees. I hope that these clusters are a sign of a plentiful Hazelnut harvest come Autumn should pollination take place.  The hint of the pink female flowers are starting to show but are yet to be in full bud.

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