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5:33 Fri 05 Feb 10
We had a power cut on Monday/Tuesday night. We only knew about it at 5.30am when one of our holiday guests knocked us up after realising that the incubators would have stopped. The electricity company were quick to respond finding a main fuse on an outside pole had blown, but it was not until nearly 8.am before we had our electricity working.

Unfortunately it looks very much as if we have lost all of the Emu Eggs that we had incubating. The fist 20 were due this to hatch this week but but there is no signs of any hatching. There are about a 100 egg incubating. Being that we are unable to candle the Emu Eggs we will have to let them go for the full 55 days just in case by chance the odd one survived. I am not holding my breath. We must have had nearly 200 eggs and have managed to put 18 new one in the incubator yesterday. I am not sure how many more eggs we will get. I have let two Male Emu sit eggs. One is sitting over 10, not sure about the other one. The intention was to allow after this week all of the eggs to be hatch naturally by the Emu. But I would like to incubate some eggs. Until I let the Emu sit the eggs we were getting 20 plus eggs a week but that has reduced now they are sitting. We may be lucky.

This afternoon I went to show Julia and Chris the signs of where the Otter was on the bottom Pond. I expected to find some of Otter droppings, but the first sign of the Otter that we came across was the scales of a 10lb Carp that the Otter must have had for his dinner last evening. That is how you can tell if it is an Otter rather than Mink. Mink will eat all of the Fish, the Otter will leave the scales. About 10 years ago there must have been an Otter with Cubs on the main Lake as every day for weeks I was finding the scale from 1 or 2 large Fish by the side of the Lake. The main lake as you know is electric fenced against both the Otter and the Fox. Seeing the scales today has given me a reality check and realised that the Fish taken would cost in the region of 100 to replace, so this afternoon I have started to electric fence the Pond. I had hoped not to have needed to and I was going to put an infra-red lamp close to the Pond in the hope that we would be able to see the Otter. I will still put the lamp up, but although we will still see the Otter it will only be when it is passing through. Well that what I hope or it is going to cost a lot of money in lost Fish.

Yesterday and today two small flocks of Canada Geese landed on the Lake. As Julia told you when she went to photograph yesterdays flock of about 12, they flew off when they saw her approaching. Today a different flock of 6 young Geese flew in and have stayed all day. They did take off late this afternoon but only to circled overhead and fly back in. When we left the Lake they looked very much as if they may stay overnight. This morning when the flew in a couple of them ventured onto the Island without thinking twice about it, as if they had been there before. I wonder if any of them were last years Goslings. When I fed the Swans this afternoon they nearly came over for the food. The Swans were not best pleased for them to land on the Lake, and have half heartedly attempted to chase them off of the Lake a couple of times, but it did not work. So we may see a breeding pair on the Lake again this year.
6:33 Thu 28 Jan 10
The Geese returned this morning. We heard their honking as we went out to feed the Horses and Emu. The Swans know they are there and are not best pleased, staying in their protected area, not coming out for their morning feed even though the Geese were at the other end of the Lake. Seeing the Swans food the Geese went to the area and were hovering about not sure that they were safe to go close to eat it.

A week or so back we had a flock of 12 Geese land and were harassed by the Swans until they flew off. This encounter is going quite differently so it could be that there was a bit of a set to before I saw them. The Swans being only a year old may be intimidated by the older Geese, Although when the Swan swam in the direction of the Geese the Geese went in direction. Some one mentioned about the Swans mating this year. Black Swans as Emu mate in the Winter. Normally laying their eggs about late November, but not until they are at least two years old. The Geese flew off after more than an hour. They will come and go over the next month or so, making up their mind if they are going to nest on the Lake. That is of course that seeing the Swan will stop them returning. I hope they nest this year on the Lake as it had a good ending last year with the Geese producing 5 live Gosling. The first time on our Lake. Seeing them fly off when they fledged was a great moment, only exceeded when they made a quick visit with the Goslings before they flew away to where ever they over Winter.

What I hope that the Geese don't do is to try to nest by the Pond next to the Lake. It is not protected from the Fox or Otter with electric fencing and there is no Island. Being let down with having the new lake dug out in September spoilt what I had in my mind to do by putting the Swan on the new Lake. If this dry spell continues we may be able to start the new Lake in a month or so. That will still be to late.
6:12 Tue 26 Jan 10
Mary, the red blob is a milk crate that I left up there when I was trying to get the other Badger webcam working. I will try to get it going when it warms up a bit.

It is going to be interesting if all the Emu eggs hatch. There are about a 100 in the incubators, and we have sold a good few eggs. I should think we wont have a lot of trouble selling any Chicks as they are really nice to keep. I always thought that the Reindeer was my favorite animal to keep, but I am starting to think that the inquisitive Emu is starting to take preference. The intention was to sell a few pairs, but I have now decided to fence the main Horse Field with stock proof fencing and let the Emu share the Field with the Horses. They will be a good combination for the good of the Field.

Some one asked about the Swan that went to a Sanctuary with an injury. I was told that it died. I am not convinced, with the amount of Swans they have there is no chance of me recognising it.

6:00 Sun 24 Jan 10
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Edds Emu Chick.

Edds Emu Chick with his dog and three of the late Asbo prodigy that Edd hatched.

Another of the Chick

Edwin our Emu who prefers human company.

Emu feather. As you can see one main quill that branches off into two feathers,

I believe I told you in November when I found my first Emu egg. I didn't bother to try to incubate it as I was unsure how old it was. I left it on the side in our kitchen for a good three weeks before mentioning it to Edd a Farmer from where we get our corn to feed the animals on the Farm. A week later when I returned to collect another load of corn I gave the egg to Edd telling him that I was not over confident that it would hatch. Yesterday afternoon Edd phoned me to tell that the egg was starting to hatch. Edd has just phoned me to tell that he has a live Emu Chick. I am jealous. At least I know that we may get some chicks from the nearly a hundred that are now in the incubator. The Emu have layed over 140 eggs up to now.

Most of the Chickens have been kept in their houses since we lost the last one. Yesterday and today we let those that are just outside the Farm House kitchen door. Two White Silkies, a few Buff Orpington and Dennis. As Mrs.Farmer went to feed the Badgers last night the Fox had just taken one of the White Silkies, just a few yards from the kitchen door. The same Fox that was eating at the Badgers feeding area very soon after. Mrs.Farmer is well upset.

Mick I really am pleased that I was not your neighbour when you were feeding your dead chickens to Fox. Every type of animal or bird has it own scent. Once a Fox takes a Chicken he will remember that scent as an easy kill and will continue to take the easy kill until he can get no more. If Mr.Fox could not get to your Chickens because of your electric fencing, for sure he would have been looking for your neighbors tasty birds after you giving him a taste. As you said Mick the Fox soon learns.

As for those who have suggested trapping the Fox and taking it to another area. I don't think that you could have seriously thought about the implications. Or would you think it right to give some other person your problem so that their Chicken are taken by Mr.Fox. Or release the captured Fox in another Fox territory. Have you thought about that the other Fox might just not want him there. As for trapping, I don't believe that any of you would be successful. As the saying goes crafty or as sly as a Mr.Fox. He is not for catching easy. So we wont be trying the trapping angle.

We are getting our Fox problem because we are in the middle the Fox mating season. For sure the Fox taking our Chickens is a young Dog Fox intruder being drawn in by a Vixen on heat. We have Fox close to the Farm. Other than about ten years ago they never gave us any problems. There are for most of the time someone working outside with our two dogs close to the Chickens and other animals, not a place a Fox would want to intrude on unless very hungry. They wont put themselves in unnecessary danger with our Dogs when ample food is available in their close territory. As you can see on the webcams we have more than enough Rabbits, Pheasant and other food sources to keep a Fox more than well fed. The Dog Fox intruder will hang around until the Vixen becomes receptive. Depending on what part of the Vixens cycle the Dog Fox arrived will depend how long he will hang around. If it is a long time he will become very hungry. Not being familiar with the area he will take the easiest food he can find. Our Free Range Chicken. Even after the mating season is over he will still hang about whilst he can smell the scent of easy food.

It is well known on this Forum that I have always been against hunting with dogs, but I never believed that peoples rights should be taken away with the ban. We need more referendum's in this Country. If a referendum had been held on hunting with dog there would still have been a ban, but it would have been easier for the hunting fraternity to accept it. Since the ban I have had to question part of the ban. In a few circumstances it is causing animals to suffer by more than alternatives than hunting itself. Fox are now being controlled by snaring and lamping. Caught in a snare a Fox may be left to die in agony for a week or more with the snare wire cutting deep into it neck or body, making the Fox struggle more and more trying to escape. Lamping in usually when people guns are lined up on the rear of a Land Rover type vehicle. The vehicle goes around farmland with very bright lamps looking for Fox. When they see a Fox they chase after it taking shots at the Fox with a shotgun. With the vehicles bouncing about over farm land, getting an accurate shot is difficult and very often the Fox escapes through a hedge wounded. The festering gangrene wound may take weeks to finally kill the Fox. Some times the hunts did illegally drag a Fox from it earth, a hole or pipe. Blame those enforcing the law, but it still died a lot quicker than being wounded by snaring or being shot by people lamping.

I can not see any reason for deer hunting. If there are an over population of Deer they will start to encroach on crops, it is then for the Farmers to cull by shooting. Done by professional the Deer will not suffer. It is the Poachers who hunt in the night that injure rather than kill. Mick and Marie/NJ argument about we are inhabiting and taking over the Wildlife's natural area is ridiculous. The worlds population is increasing unless you are prepared to stop humans mating as they partially do in China or go back to living in the open, caves and woods. You are not going to stop it. Don't know about Marie but Mick has mentioned his Son. If he was sincere in his argument he should of and any others who feel the same should have kept their pants on and not had Children.

I don't pretend to know every thing about Country Life and ways. But I live the life daily. I know when we have a problem, and I know when we need to do some thing about the problem. Our web stats for our website shows me that over 95% of our visitors live in towns and cities, so I can understand that there are many who speak with their hearts rather than their heads. I did when I lived in a City.

I can not find the entry on the Forum but some one thought that I may take offence at the criticism about shooting the Fox and close the website. I believe in free speech and I don't mind being criticised, so it would not make me shut shop and disappear. I hope none of you take offence about the recent Diaries. Although Mr.Fox may.
10:54 Fri 22 Jan 10
Well, well there are a few entries on the forum that are judging me for telling that if I cant protect our Chickens, Geese and Turkey with electric fencing I will have to shoot it. I may have misunderstood today's entry by Maria that I am encouraging the Fox by feeding the Badgers. If it had not been for the Badgers in the first place there would never had been the Wildlife TV website and the web cams. So I make no apologises for feeding the Badgers. Before we started to feed the Badgers we had our Children's Chickens taken by a Fox. Feeding the Badgers is not the cause of the Fox taking the Chickens.

Yesterday after leaving the Chickens, Geese and Turkey in their housing housing for two days we let them out to stretch their legs and our Black Rock Chicken was taken by the Fox, and that was even with us checking them every ten to fifteen minutes. And no Mick (Hampshire) it was not a Stoat or Mink, it was a Fox.

Unfortunately after having a very careful look at the possibility of electric fencing it will not be practical as there are to many access points and gates that are in constant use. I even considered a large fenced area for the Chickens, Geese and Turkey but the cost of such a structure is prohibitive and it takes away our choice of having the Birds free range and the Birds their freedom. I purchased the Geese as they were confined in an unsuitable area and I felt that they should have their freedom.

I like most welcomed the ban on hunting with dogs. But with no natural predator there is no way of that the Fox can be controlled other than them being shot. Why should they be controlled? There are to many. Even before the hunting ban their natural boundaries were extended into out Town and Cities where they are classed as vermin. Because of their scavenging for food around dustbins that have caused an increase in rat population. Hunting although I still believe is cruel, it is a much better option than shooting. They are even killed outright or get away. With shooting there is always the chance that the Fox will suffer weeks of agony with wounds.

I believe that all of our Wildlife is important and have over the years done more than most to protect it. I do not relish even the thought that it may be necessary to kill a Fox, but domesticated Animals and Birds are of no less of importance than than those in the Wild. I introduced the Chickens, Geese and Turkey to Denbury and I have a duty to protect them from predator. Is it right that the Birds are slaughtered, some times not even as a meal without giving them protection. It could be that some of you may feel that domesticated fowl are less important than a Fox. I don't.

We know and feel for all of the Animals and Birds that we keep at Denbury, as you would your own Pets. Would you allow your pets to be attacked or killed without doing all you could to stop it? I spent many hours and a lot of money electric fencing the Lake to stop the Fox and Otter from killing the Canadian Geese. More for the Geese and Ducks than our Fish. It was a bonus that it protected both. Unfortunately electric fencing will not work to protect the Birds.

No doubt some of those judging me are the same who sit down to eat their Sunday joint and two veg. The joint that got its way to your table starting as a living Animal at a Farm, travelling maybe hundreds of miles in a crowded lorry to a livestock market. To be penned up for hours tightly packed waiting to go into the auction ring where they are prodded and poked to keep them moving, before being put back into their pens to wait hours to be shipped to holding farms before finishing up in a slaughter house, again waiting for hours smelling the fear of death before they are shot in the head or electrically stunned, hung up within seconds with the chance that their skins and hides are ripped off of their backs before they are properly dead. Or maybe you had a Chicken for your dinner. The same Chicken that was hooked upside down by one leg before having its throat cut still flapping its wings trying to escape why being plucked. Maybe you had Fish. The same Fish that was trawled and netted by the thousands. So much weight in the nets that other than those Fish at the top where squashed, then allowed to die a lingering death on the deck of a trawler. If it is necessary to kill a Fox it will be done to protect, not for gain

Sue, Middlesex. I don't allow links.
6:30 Wed 20 Jan 10
Every evening that I try to write an entry some thing comes up and it never gets started.

Three days ago a Fox had one of our Chickens. To be honest with the amount of Geese that we have who were in the area where the Fox stuck, we should have been warned with the noise that they make, but we did not hear a sound. I thought until the next day when he had another taken that it may have been a Sparrow Hawk or an Owl. All of the Chickens are very friendly and the first that was taken was Fluffy a Black Silky. We got it with a White Silky that an Owl had on the first day that we let it out. Fluffy was one of our Holiday guests favorite Chickens, she would always be a the Cottages doors waiting for a crumb or two.

Being that I thought that it was a Sparrow Hawk or Owl I didn't take any precautions in case it returned. That was a big mistake as on Monday the Fox returned and had Asbo. We had not had Asbo very long and he was originally purchased only to produce Chicks. Although he had come from a Farm where he would not have come into much contact with people he was extremely friendly and like Fluffy he was a great favorite with our Holiday Guests. At least we have nearly 100 of his off springs.

We cant take the risk that the Fox will take more of the Chicken and Geese so for the past two days every one is in their houses and will have to stay there until we can get a electric fenced area for them. I have not had a firearms licence for nearly twelve years but I am applying for one today in case we can not stop the Fox from taking the Chickens.

Most of you know my feelings about hunting with dogs, but since the ban there are many more Fox around. As much as I don't like Fox hunting it was a better alternative than having to shoot them. Shooting a Fox can leave them injured rather that killing the outright as with hunting and they may have weeks of pain with shot gun wounds.

Some of you saw the Fox in the Valley the other night. There were three. Probably a Vixen in season and two suitors. I must admit if I had a shotgun there would have been one or two less.

6:55 Sun 10 Jan 10
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

A few days ago I saw a lonely Wagtail in the garden - quite sad, they're always in flocks!!
Today we had about 10-12 Fieldfares in the garden, also a couple of Redwings although I didn't get any good pics of them! Julia

It got a lot warmer here today. Still very cold but in some areas near the buildings we even had a little melting. A lot different than we were told only last night that there was going to be steady snow all day. Pity John Hirst the top man at the Met Office wasn't told. He was on Sky News this afternoon trying to explain what went wrong with the mild winter that was promised. We didn't really say that he told us, but our five day forecasts are very reliable. Crap, the five day are nearly the worse after the 24 hour forecast that they change after looking out of the window and realising it is not what they had forecast the night before. I think I told you what our forecaster said to me when I rang the BBC Bristol weather office manned by a Richard Angwin who is employed by the Met Office. I complained that he had forecast a dry day the evening before the the day I had rang and it was pouring down. Had I refreshed the page he asked, as I have changed the forecast in the last hour. Unreal.

We have been feeding the Emu, Rhea and Swans three times a day with the weather being as cold as it is. The extra food will help them generate more body heat. The Birds seem to be a lot more mobile since. They have been a worry. I know that they acclimatise but seeing them sat outside in the cold is a concern when they originate from Australia. The Emu feathers deflect the suns heat so I hope that they are also good protection against the cold. The feathers are also unique. Two feathers branch out from one quill. If I remember I will put a photograph of one on the Photo Page.

Mick asked about the new Lake. Unfortunately it has not been started. I must admit I am getting concerned that it wont be ready for when the Geese return. The Swans wont chase the Geese away, but the Geese if they do try to stay on the Lake may harass the Swans. Black Swans are the only Swans that will live amicably together in the breeding season. The Geese we have had on the Lake are the complete opposite. I maybe wrong and the Geese will take no notice of the Swans.
7:31 Thu 07 Jan 10
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

There are quite a lot of photographs to go on the Photo Page. I thought that I had better put these Christmas one from Jannette (Cheshire) on now as it is nearly forgotton.

We woke yesterday morning to 8 to 10 inches of snow and it was cold. Even colder last night, and I do believe the Emu and Rhea must be feeling it as the Emu were very slow coming for their feed this morning. We are giving all of the animals extra feed as with the ground being covered with snow there is no grazing. For the first time tonight three emu laid their eggs in the shelters. Some of them are taking cover in the shelters at night and some do not, The Rhea are don't take cover at all.

Eight of our Sheep are in the barn with the other ten in the Woods. I don't suppose we will see them until the snow goes. The Chickens have the Barns to go in during the day when they are let out from their houses in the morning. The Geese don't seem to mind the snow or cold and they wander around in and out of the barn all day. Dennis doesn't seem to like the cold and hangs around the Farm House porch. When one of the Buff Orpingtons who lives with Dennis ventured out of his house his feet touched the snow he jumped on a snow free piece of wood and stayed on it until bed time. I don't think any of us like the snow other than the Horses who buck and jump about in delight.

Asbo is another who is not keen on the snow, but he has done his job very well. Most of the 100 eggs that you have seen hatching previous to the current hatch in progress are Asbo progeny, with well over 90% fertility. The current hatch was from eggs collected when we were having our yard concreted and the Chickens were kept housed for longish periods. These eggs have not been so fertile. We did not expect to get as many Chicks as we have.

The Badger are coming to feed a bit more now that the ground is very hard with frost and they are unable to dig for worms. We don't seem to be seeing as many rats at the feeding are, with a bit of luck this cold spell we get rid of a few. We hope that it doesn't reduce the Vole population to much as we heard one of the released Barn Owls last night and Voles are their main diet.

Elaine I haven't had a chance to look around for Animal foot prints in the snow. I have looked around the Pond next to the Lake to see if the Otter is about. There were no Otter foot prints yesterday or today. There are Deer prints that I can see in the Valley tonight. I must have just missed the Deer. I will try to get down the Valley tomorrow to see what has been about. Trouble is the snow makes the going slow and the days seem to go so quickly that we find it hard to find any extra time.
6:33 Mon 04 Jan 10
Happy New Year to you all.

Tomorrow I will put some of the photographs that have been sent in.

Just got back from collecting two late eggs from the Emu. It is the first time that I have been to the Emu Field in the dark. I disturbed a few of them, but as soon as I spoke to them they calmed down. There were many other laying together in pairs. I presume that they were mating pairs as I have never seen them in pairs during the day. A couple of weeks ago I went to the field at dusk and there were a few pairs mating so I would imagine that they lay together through the night after mating. I also disturbed a few that were in the shelter. I did not think that they used the shelter. Mind you it is cold here at the moment. Mild winter the met office clowns told us. There has got to be a big problem in that organisation. Something for sure is not working.

We didn't manage to get the Emu back to the Emu Field that I told you about in the last Diary until two days ago. By that time he has acquired the name of Edwin. How he managed to be named that I really don't know, but it was nothing to do with me, I promise. Edwin had started to follow us. Last Friday, or maybe Saturday I went down the Valley on the Quad Bike with three lads who were here with the Family for the New Year. It was a return visit from their holiday with us during the Summer. Within a short time Edwin had joined us from the Horse Field where he had not strayed from since we put him there and it is not easy to get out. I was more than concerned as you know the Valley is surrounded by our Woods. If he had gone into the Woods there are many ways out and where he would finish up wouldn't be worth thinking about. I should not have been worried as when we went up to Edwin he followed us through the gate back into the Horse Field. The next day with the help of our Holiday Guests we walked Edwin up our drive back to the Emu Field. He was a little hesitant, but he followed us as if he was on a walk. It went a lot better than I thought it would, but I wouldn't have tried it on our own. Done and dusted a good job done I thought until I went to feed the Emu yesterday morning. There in the Horse Field that I pass on the way to the Emu Field was Edwin as bold as brass waiting for his feed that he was use to having on my way to feed the Mob of Emu. He had a slight nick on one of his legs but, other than that he was fine. It would have been a long way round to get to the Horse Field from the Emu Field. It seems that Edwin prefers our company rather than the Emu, so we will leave him there for the time being.

Some of you saw the Rooks, Magpies and Buzzard in the Valley yesterday. They were feeding on fresh Ox liver and hearts that we get for Tass and Kye from a small abattoir in our Village. We use to feed Tass and Kye on a couple of chickens, canned dog feed and dog biscuits costing about 25 a week from a Supermarket. Feeding them the Ox liver and hearts with biscuits costs about 5 and believe me they much prefer it. Because of the holiday we got a lot more of their feed than we could get into the freezer, and it stood outside keeping fresh with the cold spell. We had one short warm spell and it started to defrost so I put a large bag of the Ox liver and hearts in the Valley a couple of nights ago, hoping that we would get a Fox eating it. Somehow the Fox missed it and there was a feeding frenzy with the Rooks, Magpies and Buzzard. I have more and I will try to put it out for the Fox tomorrow night and when I collect the feed again I will start to get some bits to put in the Valley for the other Wildlife. We also get suet fat to feed the birds.
6:58 Sat 02 Jan 10
Elaine has pointed out to me that the Forum is not uploading because of the year change. I have kept the entries and will put them on when it is repaired by Monday the latest.
7:31 Wed 23 Dec 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the photo page. All sent in by Simon.

Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year. No wonder the Druids celebrated the Winter Solstice. I don't mind if it had rained, snowed or even if there had been a hurricane, it was the shortest day of the year and the days will start getting longer telling Spring is on its way. Mind you I just went to look for one of our Emu in the Horse Field. It was so misty I could not see more than 3 feet in front of me.

Emu in the Horse Field. A week ago when I checked the Valley camera first thing in the morning I saw what I thought was a Deer in the distance. On zooming in to the Deer it turned out to be an Emu. We went to try to catch it fearing that it would start to run as soon as we went close. To my surprise it wanted to follow me, but it would not cross the Bridge over the Stream as the gap was to small. After twenty minutes of coaxing it to within just a foot or so of crossing we decided to go a different way just in case it got bored and decided to walked away. We decided to go through the gate in between the Valley Field and the Horse Field to make our way back to the Emu Field. It was our only option but the gateway was a lot wider allowing the Emu to see through from one field to the other. Without any calling or enticing it followed us for nearly four hundred metres. I didn't push our luck to try to walk the Emu up our drive from the Horse Field to the Emu Field as there are a few places that it may have decided that it would rather go other than the way we wanted. So the Emu has been in the Horse Field ever since. Normally it waits by the gate when it here me going to feed the Mob of Emu on the Quad, but this evening I forgot his bucket. When I returned to feed him he had disappeared and the mist had come in and it was impossible to see where he was. The Horse Field is big, but I eventually found him and he followed me back to the gate. I take it that it is Male and that it was chased by another. How it got out of the Emu Field I really cant make out.

The Emus are producing lots of eggs, 57 up to now. We have 31 in the incubator and more to go in. I am not to sure how many of the first eggs
are fertile, or if any have been affected by the cold. Tonight just before dusk I went to collect a couple of eggs, the first time so late and for the first time I saw the Emu mating so I am sure we will get some Emu Chicks. I must admit the Emu are nice to have. They are very friendly, inquisitive and seem quite intelligent.

All of the other animals are doing well. The Horses are rugged up and stabled at night having the freedom to walk about in the corrals in front of the stables during the day. We did part with the Bagot Goats. The only place for them was in the Paddock with the Rhea. Although we fed them at the same time, the Goats wanted the Rhea food so we were spending nearly two hours a day stopping them. We made a pen for them to feed in, but they didn't want to go in. The Rhea were not getting the amount of feed that they needed so the Goats had to go. They have gone to a nice home with young Children and a Field full of Sheep. Thornton is doing well. It is to cold for him of a night and he barges his way in very early.

Don't know what dialect this poem is written in, but I am sure one of you will tell me.

Talking Turkeys. A tribute to Dennis who is still running about the Farm Yard at Denbury and he wont be going in the oven.

Be nice to yu turkeys dis Christmas
Cos' turkeys just wanna hav fun
Turkeys are cool, turkeys are wicked
An every turkey has a Mum.
Be nice to yu turkeys dis christmas,
Don't eat it, keep it alive,
It could be yu mate, an not on your plate
Say, Yo! Turkey I'm on your side.
I got lots of friends who are turkeys
An all of dem fear christmas time,
Dey wanna enjoy it, dey say humans destroyed it
An humans are out of dere mind,
Yeah, I got lots of friends who are turkeys
Dey all hav a right to a life,
Not to be caged up an genetically made up
By any farmer an his wife.

Turkeys just wanna play reggae
Turkeys just wanna hip-hop
Can yu imagine a nice young turkey saying,
I cannot wait for de chop,
Turkeys like getting presents, dey wanna watch christmas TV,
Turkeys hav brains an turkeys feel pain
In many ways like yu an me.

I once knew a turkey called........ Turkey
He said "Benji explain to me please,
Who put de turkey in christmas
An what happens to christmas trees?",
I said "I am not too sure turkey
But its nothing to do wid Christ Mass
Humans get greedy an waste more dan need be
An business men mek loadsa cash'.

Be nice to yu turkey dis christmas
Invite dem indoors fe sum greens
Let dem eat cake an let dem partake
In a plate of organic grown beans,
Be nice to yu turkey dis christmas
An spare dem de cut of de knife,
Join Turkeys United an dey'll be delighted
An yu will mek new friends 'FOR LIFE'.

Benjamin Zephaniah

4:31 Wed 16 Dec 09

Sorry, just not had the time to do the Photo Page or Diary. Not even had time to do any Christmas shopping or send any Christmas cards. Not even time to get to the shops. Will get back to it very soon.

I saw the Kingfisher this afternoon. First time at this time of the year. Also saw a Deer in the Valley last night.

We have had over 40 Emu eggs and have 30 in the Incubator. Check out the Hatchery Cam as there are Light Sussex eggs going into the hatcher in the next few days.

As you, we are very disappointed with the Northern Light webcam. I will start to look for a new location in Norway.
6:58 Thu 10 Dec 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the photo page.


Adder in the New Forest, Mick (Hampshire)

Chaffinches nest with eggs in the New Forest, Mick (Hampshire)

Lapwing in the New Forest, Mick (Hampshire)

Lapwing nest with eggs in the New Forest, Mick (Hampshire)

Robin feeding chicks in my garden. Mick (Hampshire)

As you have seen on the photograph of the Emu eggs they are a very dark green, so I expected that I would not be able to candle them with a normal poultry candler. To make matters worse I was told today they are opaque so they will need a special infra-red device to see if the eggs are fertile or I will need to incubate for the full 55 days without knowing until the eggs hatch or not if we are going to get a chick. We have incubation space for at least 160 eggs but that wont take long to fill if we incubate all the eggs. So we need to know the fertility or we may get more Emu than we really want.

The other problem that we have is that we cannot trace the Company who did at one time make the infra-red candling device. The Veterinary who owns the Incubator Company that sponsors the Hatchery Cam is the most experienced Ratite Veterinary in the UK and he once sold the device. He believes that the Company is no longer trading, so the options I had were to find a second hand one or find another method of seeing into the Emu eggs for a live embryo.

After a day on the phone speaking to different people we have, we hope three possibilities of knowing if our eggs are fertile after two weeks in the incubator. The first is with my connections in the CCTV industry through the webcams. An infra-red device is going to be made for us. The second again through my CCTV connections by Thermal Imaging, the same principle ish that you see on the Police Helicopters when the can see white images in the dark. It will mean taking the Emu eggs out of the incubator for a few minutes and letting them cool down from the incubating temperature. The egg shell will then be cooler than the embryo allowing the embryo if there is one to be seen by the thermal camera. The Thermal Imaging manufacturer is coming to the Farm after Christmas to see if it works. The final method is by sound with a Stethoscope to hear the Embryo heartbeat or by a powerful microphone in-cased in a box that the egg is put into. I don't mind what method we use as long as we don't have to wait 55 day to know if the eggs are fertile.

There is one other way of telling if an egg is fertile, although it can be a bit hit and miss. The egg is placed on a table, as the egg cools down the chick will start to move making the egg roll slightly from side to side.



6:57 Tue 08 Dec 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Sting Ray Hull Aquarium, Betty Canada

I believe this is a puffer fish, Hull Aquarium. Betty Canada

Feeding frenzy, Hull Aquarium. Betty Canada

Large Angel fish, Hull aquarium. Betty Canada

Wall of haberdashery store, beamish. Betty Canada

For over a week we have been concreting a large area of our Farm Yard. It has meant keeping the Chicken, Geese and Dennis in some days when the concrete was being laid. Yesterday and today were the main two days and to make sure that the concrete was not trod on we kept the Horses stabled just in case although unlikely they got out.

Although the weather has been crap with the rain we have been getting, the rain had not spoilt the concrete until this morning when it absolutely poured down and it spoilt a few areas. There was not a lot we could do about it as the the area was to large to lean over and smooth it off. We went in for a quick drink and on returning there were a long line of what looked like Dove prints. Worse still I went to feed the Emu and the Peacock passed me on the drive. I wasn't that concerned as the Peacock always goes the same way on his way home, stopping by the Chicken houses where he finds the Chicken feed. Not today, when I got back to the concrete he had walked all over it. I couldn't believe my eyes at seeing his foot prints in the still wet concrete.

This morning Thornton also stepped on yesterdays laid concrete leaving just one footprint. He is not going to be very happy tonight as we have shut him in the Barn next to the other Sheep just in case it happens again.

We put 20 Emu eggs in the incubator last night. We found that the Emu had laid another 4 eggs by Monday after collecting them on Saturday. The Temperature of 36.5c and the humidity level was good for nearly 24 hours so we decided to take a chance as we were unsure of the age of all of the eggs. The quicker we got them in the incubator the better it would be. Now we will have to wait 55 days to see how many will hatch. We will try to candle them in a couple of weeks time. Trouble is the eggs are very dark and the candle lamp we now have is not strong enough to see inside the eggs. When we kept Ostriches I made a candler for those eggs as small candlers did not work. I reckon I will need to make another with a very strong halogen bulb to have any chance of checking the eggs.

Barbara in a cold South Staffs, At this time of the year the Badger don't feed a much as they do at other times. They live on their fat built up over the rest of the year. Also with the rain we have been getting the ground is very soft, making it easy for the Badgers to dig the ground for their favorite food of worms. I saw some Badgers spread over the night feeding on the bread and peanuts. If we get bad frosts for prolonged periods the Badgers will start feeding more on the bread and peanuts.
6:20 Sun 06 Dec 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Betty save the day by sending in over 60 photographs.

Chicken at our picnic table in Beamish Betty Canada.

Hay Rick at Beamish, is that a weather vane on top? Betty Canada.

Shark Hull Aquarium Betty Canada.

Emu eggs that I found.

Emu egg incubator warming up.

Teach me to keep my eyes open. At least every other day I have been walking all over the Emu Field looking for any eggs that they have laid since I found one a few weeks back. yesterday afternoon I walked the Field again and came across a nest tucked away in the far right hand corner of the Field partly covered with grass. How I missed the nest I will never know as there were 20 eggs in the nest. Trouble is that I don't know how old the eggs are. You can keep the eggs for about 14 days before incubating them but some that I found may be a lot older. By the look of the eggs I would think that the eggs were laid by 3 or 4 different Emu.

Today we have been getting the incubator ready for the eggs. I was waiting for a couple more eggs before cleaning the incubator ready to set the eggs. It will need to be running for a couple of day to make sure that it is working properly as we have only just got the incubator and I am not to sure how they work yet. I cant complain as I was starting to think that we may not get many eggs this year after the moving the bird only six weeks ago.

Asbo has been doing his job. We started to incubate some of the eggs he has fertilised earlier this week. On checking them last night a lot of the eggs are fertile so in just over two weeks we will start hatching the eggs on the webcam. Just a bit shorter than the time that the Emu eggs will take to incubate of 56 days.

Thornton has been coming in a lot more. I think it may be something to do with the weather. The only time he doesn't come in is when it is raining at the time he normally knocks on the door to come in, then he will spend the night in the barn with some of the other Sheep. Believe me Thorbton really does knock on the door. Normally three times. At times when I need to knocked on the Cottages doors they are not answered as people think that it is Thornton who is knocking.

Dennis has got very big. If it wasn't that he is a pet he would be just about be the size of a Turkey that we would buy for Christmas, saving a lot of money. We have never eaten any of the animals that we have kept at Denbury. Ostrich meat is very tasty and low in cholesterol but after working with them we couldn't eat any. The same with Wild Boar. I use to give the Piglets away once they were weaned. We just may just have one of our Lambs next year. We usually send them to Market but the last time that I put any in to be sold they only fetched a small amount and after the commissions I was sent an invoice. This year we have sent three to the abattoir, partly because of the little we got but also because we do not like to see the stress that the animals go through when sent to Market, we also never know just how far they will travel before getting to their final destination. Two that we had slaughtered were sold to two of our Holiday Guests,and one to friends. Although the Lambs didn't look that big the Butcher said that they were very well finished and the meat did look very good. All three people who had them said the the meat tasted very good. Two said it was the best that they had ever eaten.


6:22 Sat 05 Dec 09
Sorry there are no photographs tonight as there are only one days left. If you have any send them in.

Below a bit of interesting reading.

Feeding birds 'changes evolution'

Bird-feeders, hung in many a garden, can affect the way our feathered friends evolve, say scientists.

European birds called blackcaps follow a different "evolutionary path" if they spend the winter eating food put out for them in UK gardens.

The birds' natural wintering ground is southern Spain, where they feed on the fruits that grow there.

Researchers describe the impact this well-intentioned activity has had on the birds in Current Biology journal.

Dr Martin Schaefer from the University of Freiburg in Germany led the research.

He and his team found that blackcaps that migrated to the UK for the winter were in the very earliest stages of forming a new species.

He explained that some blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) would always have migrated "a little further north" than others and eventually "ended up in Britain in the winter".


But those birds would have had nothing to eat," he said.

It was when garden bird feeders became more popular in the UK, that an evolutionary division began to emerge.

"As soon as the British provided a lot of bird food, those birds would have had a much higher probability of surviving the winter."

And because the UK is closer to their breeding ground, those birds would also have returned earlier to claim the best territory.

The researchers, from Germany and Canada, set out to discover if the birds that spent the winter availing themselves of garden bird-feeders were in fact a distinct group.

To do this, they studied the blackcaps at a breeding ground in Germany.

The team were able to use a chemical "signature" from the birds' claws to identify where they spent the winter, and what food they ate.

"Then we took blood samples and analysed those to assess whether... we had two distinct populations. And that's exactly what we found," said Dr Schaefer.


"To a very large extent the birds only mate [with] birds with the same overwintering grounds as them."

This initial "reproductive isolation", Dr Schaefer explained, is the very first step in the evolution of a new species.

"This tells us that by feeding birds in winter we... produce an evolutionary split. And we have produced these initial steps in as little as 50 years."

The team also observed differences in the birds' beaks, wings and plumage.

Blackcaps that migrated along the shorter route to the UK had rounder wings, and longer, narrower beaks.

The scientists said these differences were evidence that the birds had adapted to their shorter journey, and to eating seeds and fat from bird-feeders, rather than fruit from shrubs and trees.

But, Dr Schaefer pointed out that the evolution of a new bird species "could take 100,000 to a million years".

"At this stage this is reversible," he added. "And it's hard to envision a species change, because if there's another economic crisis and people stop feeding the birds, the whole system might just collapse."

Man-made change

In this case, Dr Schaefer thinks the human impact on blackcaps has been a positive thing.

"[The birds have] found a better overwintering area that is closer to the breeding ground, where they can obtain food easily.

"And I also think its positive news for us, because it means not all the changes we produce are necessarily bad, and that some species have the potential to adapt quickly to the changes."

Grahame Madge from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said that this was "a fascinating piece of research" and that it fitted in with the birds adapting to a changing climate.

"Blackcaps have been able to start this behaviour because of the milder winter we've experienced in the last few decades," he said.

"And because they're getting food, this reinforces the behaviour and will enable them to survive a colder winter [in the UK]."

Joseph Tobias, a biologist from the Oxford University in the UK, agreed that the UK climate may have been a more important factor contributing to the changes observed in the blackcaps.

"The study clearly demonstrates that a new lineage has arisen... [but] it doesn't actually demonstrate that food hand-outs by humans are the root cause," Dr Tobias said.

"It is possible that the main reason for the switch in migratory behaviour was a warming winter climate in the UK. The best we can say on the basis of the evidence is that the increase in bird-feeding in the UK may have contributed to the switch in behaviour."

Mr Madge added that putting food out for birds in the winter was "very important" and that many birds "need the energy boost at this time of year".

It's positive news for us, because it means not all the changes [humans] produce are necessarily bad. Martin Schaefer, University of Freiburg.
6:31 Fri 04 Dec 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the photo page.

Only one of photographs left.

Blackbird & Song Thrush in the snow (my back garden), Mick

Cock Chaffinch in apple tree over my garden, Mick

Jay in my garden, Mick

Wren in my garden, Mick (Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire border)

Photograph of Tiger to go with article.

Fortunately none of the Animals from Cricket St Thomas went to Noah's Ark.

The Tiger have been returned to the Circus probably so that the Zoo can reapply for membership to The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)

Zoo expelled from industry body

A zoo in North Somerset has been expelled from an industry body over its relationship with a circus.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) said Noah's Ark Zoo Farm kept dealings with the Great British Circus hidden from it.

BIAZA, which pledged to investigate last month, has now terminated the Wraxhall zoo's membership for bringing the association into disrepute.

An association statement read: "There has been a breakdown of trust."

The Great British Circus is the only UK circus which still uses tigers in its shows.

One of the Noah's Ark tigers is used on a Great British Circus promotional DVD and is seen performing tricks during a training session in the circus ring.

The circus insists none of the tigers at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm [NAZF] has actually taken part in performances.

BIAZA is a charity which represents and promotes the UK's and Ireland's zoo and aquariums.

Its statement reads: "The reasons for termination are due to a refusal to provide BIAZA with information when requested and entering into an arrangement with the Great British Circus, which contravenes the Animal Transaction Policy, despite having been warned of possible consequences.

"Council believes that the behaviour of NAZF has brought the association into disrepute and that there has been a breakdown of trust between BIAZA and NAZF, and this has unfortunately resulted in a parting of the ways."

Secret filming

In October BBC Inside Out West revealed the Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS) had filmed secret footage at Noah's Ark.

That revealed some of the staff at the zoo were unhappy about its links with the circus.

An undercover researcher working for CAPS also discovered the zoo had buried a tiger carcass on its land instead of sending it off for incineration as the law demands.

Anthony Bush, the owner of Noah's Ark, said at the time he had since dug up the tiger and corrected his mistake.

Mr Bush refused to comment on the expulsion from BIAZA




5:41 Thu 03 Dec 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

I am only sending these as Karen Stoke has told me to !!!
They were taken about a month ago.
The pleasure of feeding Ducks( not wishing to open that debate again).
My passion which is cattle, I could stand by a field all day just watching them. Rose W'canton

Please don't go on holiday again. Betty Canada

6:59 Tue 01 Dec 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page sent in by Lynne.

The Emu have not started to produce any more eggs as yet. December is when they are due to start laying but although we are looking every day there are none to be found. The Field that the Emu are in is quite steep and when we kept Ostriches we needed to look in the hedge at the bottom of the Field as some of the eggs would roll down the hill into the hedge. Last summer I found one egg in the hedge and we had not kept Ostrich for nearly eight years.

Another problem we had with the first year of laying young Ostriches when we kept them was that they would lay their eggs standing up. With Ostriches it is a long way for the eggs to drop to the ground and every one got cracked or finished up with a hole in them. At the time Ostrich eggs were selling for 100 each so I was not best pleased to find them broken. Another problem with Ostriches was that the Male Ostriches can be very violent in the breeding season. One of ours was quite bad. He was a Blue Ostrich and he stood nearly nine foot tall. The only way I could get the eggs were to get someone to get his attention a the field main gate. At the other end there is a shelter in which I made a door so that I could creep in and run as fast as I could to get the egg with out the Ostrich seeing me. A few times he did chase after me but I managed to get out of the door before he reached me. On one occasion I thought that my luck had run out. The door I had made was a cut out in the plywood, by the time I had put the hinges on it was a tight fitting and did not have a handle on the inside. As he started to chase me I ran into the shed but the door had closed. Normally with a bash with my hand the door would slightly open at the bottom that allowed me to put my fingers behind and pull the door open. It didn't this time no matter how many times I bashed and I could hear the Ostrich very near. I bashed harder and harder and was waiting for the attack when the bottom opened. It still was not easy to get through the door as there was a bar half way up so that it could not be pushed open from the inside so I all but fell out. Looking behind me I could see the Ostrich entering the shed. I made sure the door was always slightly open after that fright. The Emu's I hope are better in the breeding season.
5:44 Mon 30 Nov 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the photo page.

Only two photographs left.

Ferns unfolding, Betty Canada.

Niagara Falls, Betty Canada.

Ice looks like a whale, Betty Canada.

Closeup of falls Ice Feb 08, Betty Canada.

Sunny reflections of winter, Betty Canada.
5:59 Sat 28 Nov 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Spring. Betty Canada

Hen Sparrowhawk in my garden. Mick

Heron looking at my pond. Mick

Orchids in the meadow at Sandhurst. Mick

Roe Deer also in the meadow at Sandhurst. Mick (Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire border)

I managed to find time to cut back the bramble so that it was not in the way of the camera focused on the bird feeding table. I must admit for the first time in six years the feeders have been neglected so it is liable to take a week or so for the birds to start using it again.

The Badgers are not coming to the feed area a lot a the moment. They do get quite this time of year. With the ground being very soft with the rain we have been getting it is very easy for the Badgers to dig for worms, their favorite food.

We have had to take the Bagot Goats out of the Rhea Field as the Rhea are not getting enough feed that they need because the Goat go to the Rhea feed rather than their own. Since the Goats have been at Denbury we have had to wait over half an hour every morning and evening to keep the Goats away from the Rhea Feed, and we really cant afford to waste over an hour every day. We tried fencing off with gates a feeding area for the Goats. It worked for one day but after that a few would go into the gated area and a couple would not, and they seemed to take it in turns so we had to move them. They are in a double stable at the moment.I will probably put stock fencing around the main Horse Field so that the Sheep and Goats can share it with the Horses. Sheep will eat what the Horses wont, and Goats will eat anything, so it should work well. It will also stop our Sheep from going into our neighbour's fields.

It should have been an easy job to move the Goats, but they had a different idea. We fenced off a large area and eventually coaxed them in but one of them managed to find a small gap under the gate and off it went with another two in tow up the drive. We could not chase after them or they would have gone farther away so a long detour was needed to cut them off and get them back into the fenced area so we could load them into the horsebox. Getting them from the horsebox to the stable went well until we went to close the stable door. A gated runway was used but one gate fell as we closed the stable door allowing one of the Goats to get out. After a bit of a run about we eventually got it back with the others. I always swore that I would never have goats. I know why now.
5:14 Thu 26 Nov 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

We are still very short of photographs.

Chickens silkies? Betty Canada

Beautiful clouds. Betty Canada

Unusual cloud pattern from my back window. Betty Canada

Our local river. Betty Canada

Bleeding Heart. Betty Canada

The continuous rain that we are getting is starting to concern me about the Canada Geese nesting on the Lake at Denbury next Spring. The intention was to put in another wildlife pond in the bottom half of the Horse Field. Natural springs in the bottom of the Field make it very wet. As much as we have tried to drain the area with drainage pipes, that we had buried in to the ground nearly 10 years ago, it is still lies very wet. So the natural springs make it an ideal spot for another Pond. We arranged for a local building contractor to start to dig the new Pond on the 14th of September. They never turned up to do the job on that and after nearly a month of empty promises and crap of when they would start, and why they could not do on the dates promised, and not even answering our phone calls in the end we had to find another contractor. Trouble was a week before they were due to start this prolonged spell of rain started. You can not move heavy machinery on wet ground, especially when digging a pond dig. The machinery will make the Fields extremely muddy scar the ground for years.

Our only hope of digging the Pond is if we get a long spell of frost over the Winter. We wont be able to do any digging in the Spring as the grass we be starting to grow for the Horses to graze on. Without the new Pond there will be little chance of the Geese retuning to Denbury to nest as they will fight with the Swans. we had intended to move the Swans onto the new Pond for the few months that the Geese were on the Lake. We may have even had the Geese land on the new Pond as that would also have been a good nesting area as we had intended to have an Island in it.

As the Black Swans nest in the Winter the Lake would have had interest all through the year. Although we have noticed that the Lake has come to life since the Black Swans arrived. The amount of Wildfowl using the Lake since they come has increased. Although there has always been Coots and Moorhens on the Lake we rarely saw them. Now when we feed the Swans they hang about for feed. We get the odd pair of Mallards nesting in the Spring and Summer, and although many land as soon as we went to the Lake they flew off. In the Winter we never saw Mallards, this year there are 5 pairs that look as if they might stay, with more flying in for short periods during the day. I may be wrong and the Geese will come back if we have only got the Lake for them to land on. It is possible as the Black Swans unlike other species of Swan will live and nest in groups.
6:00 Tue 24 Nov 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the photo page, all taken by Vicky whilst on Holiday at Denbury last week.

Trio of Silver Laced Wyandotte. Vicky

Silver Sebrights. Vicky

Young Hen and Cock Buff Orpington. Vicky

A young White Silky Hen. Vicky

A young Black Silky Cock. Vicky

I didn't get as much feed back as I thought I might about the checkout lady coughing into her hands whilst touching our food. With the spread of Swine Flu I thought that there may have been a few suggestions.

I phoned the Store Manager yesterday, he believed it wrong and was looking into what could be done to stop it happening. The worse one that we saw was in the same store a couple of years ago when one of the self stacker's was picking his nose whilst stacking. I had not choice to complain and it was addressed immediately. The man in question may have been backward, but it did not excuse his filthy habit when working with food.

Could this be put on for me please Mr, Farmer, Think this is soooooooo, Sarah



Possibly the best letter ever to come out of the Inland Revenue....

Taken from the Guardian, an actual letter sent by the Inland Revenue:

Dear Mr Addison,

I am writing to you to express our thanks for your more than prompt reply to our latest communication, and also to answer some of the points you raise. I will address them, as ever in order.

Firstly, I must take issue with your description of our last as a "begging letter". It might perhaps more properly be referred to as a "tax demand". This is how we at the Inland Revenue have always, for reasons of accuracy, traditionally referred to such documents.

Secondly, your frustration at our adding to the "endless stream of crapulent whining and panhandling vomited daily through the letterbox on to the doormat" has been noted. However, whilst I have naturally not seen the other letters to which you refer I would cautiously suggest that their being from "pauper councils, Lombardy pirate banking houses and pissant gas-mongerers" might indicate that your decision to "file them next to the toilet in case of emergencies" is at best a little ill-advised. In common with my own organisation, it is unlikely that the senders of these letters do see you as a "lackwit bumpkin" or, come to that, a "sodding charity". More likely they see you as a citizen of Great Britain , with a responsibility to contribute to the upkeep of the nation as a whole. Which brings me to my next point; whilst there may be some spirit of truth in your assertion that the taxes you pay "go to shore up the canker-blighted, toppling folly that is the Public Services", a moment's rudimentary calculation ought to disabuse you of the notion that the government in any way expects you to "stump up for the whole damned party" yourself.

The estimates you provide for the Chancellor's disbursement of the funds levied by taxation, whilst colourful, are, in fairness, a little off the mark. Less than you seem to imagine is spent on "junkets for Bunterish lickspittles" and "dancing wh*res" whilst far more than you have accounted for is allocated to, for example, "that box-ticking faade of a university system."

A couple of technical points arising from direct queries:

1. The reason we don't simply write "Muggins" on the envelope has to do with the vagaries of the postal system;

2. You can rest assured that "sucking the very marrows of those with nothing else to give" has never been considered as a practice because even if the Personal Allowance didn't render it irrelevant, the sheer medical logistics involved would make it financially unviable.

I trust this has helped. In the meantime, whilst I would not in any way wish to influence your decision one way or the other, I ought to point out that even if you did choose to "give the whole foul jamboree up and go and live in India " you would still owe us the money. Please forward it by Friday.

Yours Sincerely,


H J Lee

Customer Relations
6:47 Sun 22 Nov 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

rose, Betty Canada

rose, Betty Canada

hydrangea, Betty Canada

hibiscus. Betty Canada

Petting zoo near us chickens type unknown. Betty Canada

The unknown chicken sent in by Betty is a Silver Laced Wyandotte. We have a breeding trio at Denbury that with other types of Chicken we are going to breed next year. Vicky has taken a number of photographs that I will show on the Photo Page some time this week.

Duck race cancelled because of high rive

DURHAM'S annual duck race has fallen foul of the weather after concerns were raised about the height of the River Wear.

Organisers announced they would have to cancel the event at 12.30pm today after the river rose by two feet overnight - the event has been rescheduled for Sunday December 6.

The Grand Durham Duck Race, organised by Durham University Charities Kommittee, was to have seen 20,000 rubber ducks released from Elvet Bridge in a race down the Wear to Kingsgate Bridge, with a 1,000 prize to the owners of the winning duck.

Organiser Grace Cramer said: "Unfortunately we have had to cancel the event in the interests of safety.

"When we checked the river this morning it had risen by 2ft overnight. The river is moving much faster."

What would you have done?

When we went shopping a Tesco on Saturday. At the checkout the lady on the till coughed into her hand and proceeded to scan our shopping into the bagging area with the hand. I did say to her very discreetly that it was not a nice thing to do, but allowed our shopping to continue to be scanned, not particularly happy but not wanting to embarrass the lady. Half way through scanning our shopping she did the same with her other hand. This time I was not quite as discrete causing her to be offended and signalled for assistance where upon her supervisor arrived. The lady on the till made her thought known to the supervisor. The supervisor by her demeanor gave me the impression that she thought I was in the wrong, but it was decided between them to allow the till lady to go off to wash her hands.

I believe that coughing into her hand and touching our food even in its wrapping was spreading her germs. When we touch to unwrap the items our hand become infected with her germ. If we touch our unwrapped food with our infected the food becomes infected with her germs. Was I wrong to tell her?

How easy would it be for shops to have antibacterial wipes on counters to cough into. Better still they should not be touching food even wrapped if they are liable to cough.
6:15 Sun 22 Nov 09
There are no photographs as there are not many left and I will spread them out over the coming days. If you have any send them in.

Elsie, I am sorry that I did not explain on last nights Diary that LET me see if I understand all this, was sent to you.

There was an anonymous entry on the Forum that I did not approve as it was anonymous, suggesting that it was racist. Sorry who ever you are, the truth is not racist, it is fact and I should think that the majority of this countries indigenous population agree with it. A Government Minister last week all but said the same.

One of our Holiday Guest who visited in the Summer sent in this warning. And below is another bit of controversy.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS!

You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any message
with an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK,'regardless of who
sent it to you. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which
'burns' the whole hard disc C drive of your computer.

This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address on
his/her contact list. That is the reason why you need to send this
e-mail to all your contacts. It is better to receive this message 25
times than to receive the virus and open it!

If you receive a mail called' POSTCARD,' even if it is sent to you by a
friend, do not open it! Shut down your computer immediately. This is
the worst virus announced by CNN.

It has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever.
This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair
yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector
of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept.

I just had to send you this. Ive had to bleep some of the language, but hope that you enjoy it. It just shows that there are disgruntled citizens in other parts of the world as well. Janette - Cheshire



AUSTRALIAN LETTER OF THE YEAR

This is an actual letter sent to the then DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Minster, The Hon Alexander Downer and the then Immigration Minister, The Hon Amanda Vanstone. The Government tried desperately to censure the author, but got nowhere because every legal person who read it nearly wet themselves laughing!

Please excuse the language contained within, but I suspect the author was somewhat upset? Ill let you decide!

Dear Mr. Minister,

Im in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe this.

How is it that K-Mart has my address and telephone number, and knows that I bought a television set and golf clubs from them back in 1997, and yet the Federal Government is still asking me where I was born and on what date.

For Christ sakes, do you guys do this by hand?

My birth date you have in my Medicare information, and it is on all the income tax forms Ive filed for the past 40 years. It is also on my drivers licence, on the last eight passports Ive ever had, on all those stupid customs declaration forms Ive had to fill out before being allowed off the planes over the last 30 years, and all those insufferable census forms that Ive filled out every 5 years since 1966.

Also... would somebody please take note, once and for all, that my mothers name is Audrey, my fathers name is Jack, and Id be absolutely bleeping astounded if that ever changed between now and when I drop dead!!!...

S#!T!

I apologize, Mr. Minister. But Im really p**d off this morning. Between you and me, Ive had enough of all this bulls#!t!

You send the application to my house, then you ask me for my bleeping address!! What the hell is going on with your mob? Have you got a gang of mindless neanderthal ***holes working there!

And another thing, look at my damn picture. Do I look like Bin Laden? I cant even grow a beard for Gods sakes. I just want to go to New Zealand and see my new granddaughter. (Yes, my son interbred with a Kiwi girl). And would someone please tell me, why would you give a s#*t whether I plan on visiting a farm in the next 15 days? If I ever got the urge to do something weird to a sheep or a horse, believe you me, Id sure as hell not want to tell anyone!

Well, I have to go now, cause I have to go to the other end of the city, and get another bleeping copy of my birth certificate, and to part with another $80 for the privilege of accessing MY OWN INFORMATION!

Would it be so complicated to have all the services in the same spot, to assist in the issuance of a new passport on the same day?? Nooooo... thatd be too bleeping easy and makes far too much sense. You would much prefer to have us running all over the place like chickens with our bleeping heads cut off, and then having to find some high-society banker to confirm that its really me in the goddamn photo! You know the photo.. the one where were not allowed to smile?! ....you bleeping morons

Signed - An Irate Australian Citizen.

P.S. Remember what I said above about the picture, and getting someone in high-society to confirm that its me? Well, my family has been in this country since before 1850! In 1856, one of my forefathers took up arms with Peter Lalor. (You do remember the Eureka Stockade!!) I have also served in both the CMF and regular Army for something over 30 years (I went to Vietnam in 1967), and still have high security clearances. Im also a personal friend of the president of the RSL.. and Lt General Peter Cosgrove sends me a Christmas card each year.

However, your rules require that I have to get someone important to verify who I am; You know... someone like my doctor - WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN PAKISTAN !!!...... a country where they either assassinate or hang their ex-Prime Ministers, and are suspended from the Commonwealth for not having the right sort of government.

You are all bleeping idiots!
5:43 Sat 21 Nov 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

5 photos i took of fungi around denbury. Vicky

Coprinopsis atramentaria -common ink cap, Vicky

Daldinia Concentrica - King Alfreds Cakes, Vicky

Hirneola auricula-judae - Jew's Ear Fungus, Vicky

Mycena Pura - Lilac Bonnet, Vicky

Xylaria hypoxylon - candlesnuff fungus, Vicky

What the heck, lets have a bit more controversy. Elsie sent this below in.

LET me see if I understand all this. Sent in by Elsie

IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS HARD LABOUR.

IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY.

IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET SHOT.

IF YOU CROSS THE SAUDI ARABIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE JAILED.

IF YOU CROSS THE CHINESE BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU MAY NEVER BE HEARD FROM AGAIN.

IF YOU CROSS THE VENEZUELAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE BRANDED A SPY AND YOUR FATE WILL BE SEALED.

IF YOU CROSS THE CUBAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO POLITICAL PRISON TO ROT.

IF YOU CROSS THE UNITED KINGDOM BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET A JOB, A DRIVERS LICENSE, PENSION CARD, WELFARE, CREDIT CARDS, SUBSIDIZED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE, FREE EDUCATION AND FREE HEALTH
CARE.
7:32 Fri 20 Nov 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the photo page.

In town and cities all over this Country there are Children, the old and disabled who live in flats and houses with no gardens and no opportunities to experience wildlife other than in communal parks. Some with ponds and lakes that attract wildlife and wildfowl. For some children feeding the wildfowl is there first and only opportunity in their childhood to interact with wildlife. What signals about wildlife are being given out to children when told no no you must not feed the ducks,swans, geese and wildfowl or mummy will be fined lots of money for letting you do what children have done for ever. Money that they cant afford or deserve to have taken for being a good parent.

I see ponds and lakes in parks as areas to attract wildlife and for leisure and enjoyment of all, with the facilities any particular park offers. Feeding the wildfowl comes into that category. Of course it would be better to feed wheat and flaked maze if you are able to source it, or for some afford the cost, but I have never seen ducks floating with their legs in the air because they have been given bread. Or have I seen many overfed ducks become so large and bloated they can hardly walk, that can be said to be in that condition because of being give bread. Animals like human come in a shapes and sizes. Being large is not always caused by unhealthy diets.

As for feeding the ducks being a dubious pastime, and that children only enjoy it because adults teach them. Adults teach most that children learn including how to enjoy themselves. Taking them to feed the ducks is not dubious. Some people may not agree with it. I experienced the delight and enjoyment of a child feeding the wildfowl at Denbury when I went to feed the Geese and their Goslings on the Lake earlier this year. I will never forget his face when he kept looking up at me showing his enjoyment.

As for our local park is a far more pleasant place since duck bread was banned as there is no longer a risk of slipping on unsightly rank leftovers. If you look where you are going and side step any of the small amount of bread that may be left, you wont slip over. Better still instead of councils giving employees pens to write out fines for those in the parks that they pay for out of their council tax, give them a broom.

I feed and allow those visiting Denbury to feed our wildfowl and Swans bread. Our wildfowl as those in communal parks are able to eat grass or water weed on the banks or bottom of the lakes.

There are to many council and government Jobs Worth's spoiling this country with unnecessary new laws, rules and regulation that they were not elected to pass.
5:45 Thu 19 Nov 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Nearly out of photographs.

Mouse on my bird feeder, I wondered where all the nuts were going ! Clive

A wasp nest removed from a nest box, it filled the entire box. Clive

A Harlequin Ladybird emeging from the pupae. Clive

Spider eating a maggot in a web stretched across a window. Clive

5:42 Wed 18 Nov 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Today, I looked out of the front window to see two Wood Pigeons feeding off the berries on the Holly Tree. You'd think standing amongst the holly leaves would be a bit uncomfortable!! Here are some photos. hame I couldn't get to the camera a few days back when there were five in the tree!

This is a photo taken today, Tuesday, of a Red Tailed Hawk that landed on our balcony railing. This is the best shot we could get due to light conditions. The string across the balcony is to stop pigeons from landing on our balcony!

Also a photo of our balcony lights taken about a week ago - I put the lights up myself without falling! Hard to get into focus but will ask my husband to take another shot. Could be the new camera has a problem on focusing. Rosie's Mum in Toronto.

Can you believe the article below. What world do these clowns live in. They need to remember that they are elected to serve those that elected them to office.

Park duck feeding fine withdrawn

A mother who was fined for feeding the ducks with her young son in the park will not now have to pay the charge.

Vanessa Kelly was in Smethwick Hall Park, in Smethwick, West Midlands, when she was approached by a warden and given a 75 on-the-spot littering fine.

The warden then told Ms Kelly her son could continue to feed the ducks as he was too young to be fined.

Sandwell Council, which at first defended the action, said it was now taking a "commonsense" approach.

When details of the fine, issued on 10 November, emerged the authority defended the action on the basis that Ms Kelly was not in a designated feeding area.


Ms Kelly said she was delighted at the change of heart.

The council's deputy leader, Darren Cooper, said the council would not pursue payment while signs were being improved at the park.

"The new signs will make it abundantly clear that feeding of waterfowl is not allowed at all in this park and that anyone observed feeding the geese and any other birds will receive a fixed penalty notice," he said.

Ms Kelly said she would have gone to court if the council had pursued the fine.

"I won't be going back to that park again," she added.
7:08 Mon 16 Nov 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the photo page.

ONLY A FEW PHOTOGRAPHS LEFT.

Fox and Owl sent in by Lynne.

When we were at Denbury in September, I mentioned having a photo similar to the one Vicky had sent of Arnie. Vicky's was "Arnie in his new coat" Well, now I've found an almost identical photo of "Arnie in his OLD coat"!! I thought the similarity was amazing!! He looks so much more proud in the "new coat"!! Oh, and he was poking his tongue out at me!! Julia

Photograph to go with article sent in by Elsie.

Below a news article from the Norther Ehco sent in by Elsie.

I don't reckon the reporter has done the Ram any favours. Is becoming a destructive influence in the field, resorting to headbutting other animals. He needs to be fenced in with a high fence. Still a wild animal and its wilder nature sometimes comes to the fore. He has demolished a gatepost out of sheer frustration.

It would be a crying shame if he was destined to live out his days without a mate. He is free to a good home, with perhaps a small donation to an animal charity.

I don't know about a donation to an animal charity, I would want a donation to take him. He sounds like your worse nightmare. I reckon a Ewe would think much the same.

I have left the the phone number in case you are mad enough to want him as a new pet. For sure he wont be coming to Denbury.

Mouflon ram needs a mate

A RARE sheep, thought to be the only one of its breed in the UK, could be condemned to a life of celibacy if a mate cannot be found.

The lonely four-year-old Mouflon ram recognisable for its distinctive horns has grazed on a farm near Masham, North Yorkshire, for most of its life.

Farm tenant Lisa Walton says the animal, known as Muffie, is becoming a destructive influence in the field, resorting to headbutting other animals in his longing for a mate.

Mouflon sheep originate from warmer climes, particularly the Mediterranean.

The rest of Muffies herd died a long time ago, leaving him alone.

Mrs Walton says Muffie is showing signs of being ready to reproduce and is looking for a breeder to offer him a home.

She said: It would be nice if a breeder could take him, as he is in full working order in that department, if you know what I mean.

He needs to be fenced in with a high fence and preferably with a good area to run around in with some shelter he winters out very well and does not eat much.

His traits are very much the same of a goat and he is free to a good home, with perhaps a small donation to an animal charity.

He preferably needs company as he is very lonely on his own, but he is in fantastic condition.

Muffies owner, landowner Ian Harmer, is reluctant to have the animal destroyed if a mate cannot be found.

He said: He can live out his days in the field if need be, or we could have it neutered and put it in with other sheep.

Although it is several generations into domesticity, this is still a wild animal and its wilder nature sometimes comes to the fore.

Mr Harmer bought a flock of Mouflon about 20 years ago, with Muffie the last of the line after years of interbreeding.

He said: At the moment, the only company he has is from the horses that use the field.

He has demolished a gatepost out of sheer frustration.

It would be a crying shame if he was destined to live out his days without a mate.

Anyone who can help is asked to call Mr Harmer, on 01677-460237.
6:14 Sun 15 Nov 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Getting short of photographs.

Emu egg. Vicky.

Fred taking a snooze. Karen Stoke

Julia sent this photo in some time back, it has always fascinated me i came across it today and thought i would post it again for the new comers to see if they have any thing like it... I do remember our dear Robin saying something negative about it which tickled me its because he hasn`t got one lol you know what hes like ladies. Karen Stoke

I caught this back in the summer and I thought that I had just had to take a picture using the on board camera. Regards Michael Chadd (Hampshire , Surrey and Berkshire Border)

Owl, Lynne.

We got our fist Emu egg today, it is the one that Vicky photographed. When I went to feed them I decided to have a quick check around the field to make sure that the fencing was secure and to look at one of the Emu that had been on its own for the past week. Checking in a corner to make sure that it was not tucked away I found the Egg.

I checked the Field a couple of days ago and the Emu that had been on its own was at the top of the Field sitting on its own whilst the other were eating. I made it get up and another of the Emu decided to have a go at it. I believe that the Emu is getting bullied so I chased the one having a go. but it decided top turn on me. I must admit I was a little surprised as they have been very placid since they have been here. It stopped after a few minutes. Since the encounter the Emu that has been on its own has started to mix with the others.

I think that I may have seen a very faint Northern Lights last night. I will check with the Hotel tomorrow.
6:19 Fri 13 Nov 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page of the Horses, taken by Marie when she and Margaret stayed at Denbury.

It is blowing up very hard and raining cats and dogs tonight. The forecast looks that it may well get a lot worse over night. The wind is quite strong on the Farm House level in the Valley, but gale force in the tops of the trees and in the area that the main Badger camera is positioned as you can see by the way that it is shaking the camera pole. I should think that there will be fallen trees in the Woods in the morning.

October and November have been very wet this year. Yesterday we started to get the Horses in of at night. I reckon that they will be in for the all day tomorrow. Last year we managed to keep them out until just before Christmas but unless this wet spell stops we will have to keep them off of the grass to stop them from poaching the ground.

It was raining so heavy at about 4.30pm this afternoon that Dennis decided half way through following someone that he would take shelter. At about that time he is put into his chicken house with the Chickens for the night. But he could not be found. To be honest I thought that a Fox had got him. Normally when Dennis is called he answers back. He either didn't answer or the strong wind caused us not to hear him. After a good 45 minutes he was found where he never goes normally. If he had not been found there was a very good chance a Fox would have got him over night.

As Vicky told you last night on the Forum, the Northern Light are not able to be seen from everywhere in Iceland. I phoned the Hotel again this afternoon as it looked as if the camera was not working. It was working but unfortunately the problem was a low connection speed. I was told in the conversation that there is a good chance that there will be a lot of activity from the 18th until the 29th of November. Just got to hope for good weather.
5:11 Wed 11 Nov 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

I took these photos out side Iceland on Saturday, They were collecting so kindly posed for these photos. They are long haired Akitas. Karen Stoke

I took this up the Stables Saturday what beautiful colours. Karen Stoke

Selection or fireworks i managed to get from my back step. I must admit it was a quiet year this year. Karen Stoke

2 Pictures to go with the two newspaper clips below sent in by Elsie.

There is also a warning at the bottom sent in by Elsie

Bradford tourism centre has unusual visitor

4:20pm Saturday 31st October 2009
By James Rush


Staff at Bradfords tourist information centre welcomed a surprise visitor today when a large bulky wading bird wandered into their shop in Centenary Square.

Dazed and confused, Woody the woodcock stumbled into the information centre and into the welcoming arms of the shops staff.

Tourist information assistant Pat Bentley helped put the bird into a box to keep it safe while waiting for an RSPCA officer to arrive.

She said: We didnt know what it was so went on the internet and found out it was a woodcock.

They are quite rare birds that also migrate here from Finland and Russia. Its a bit dazed so we think it has flown into something like a window or a wall.

Its definitely a different customer to what we are used to.


Pest expert brought in to deal with peacocks

8:43am Monday 17th August 2009

comment Comments (0) Have your say
By Sally Clifford

Fire HQ staff have given a peacock problem a happy outcome.

When the pair of stray male peacocks arrived in the grounds of the West Yorkshire Fire Service headquarters in Birkenshaw, Bradford, two months ago staff didnt bat an eye.

Their new-found feathered friends settled in well, peering through windows and strutting around the car park with their colourful plumage.

But unfortunately the younger peacock developed a cyst on his eye.

The RSPCA collected him and following his operation he has since been re-homed on a farm.

Ashley, the larger peacock, named after Coronation Street butcher Ashley Peacock, remained in the grounds. But after spotting his reflection in the shiny bodywork of cars parked around the site he began to attack, thinking it was another peacock invading his territory.

A West Yorkshire Fire Service spokeswoman said the decision was therefore made to re-home him to more suitable surroundings. They tried to catch him but Ashley proved quite elusive and flew away on a few occasions to avoid capture, she said.

Eventually bird expert Neil West-wood was drafted in.

Neil said it was one of the most unusual assignments he has had since buying into the NBC (Native Bird Control) franchise. He is one of 31 area managers throughout the country, looking after Bradford, Leeds, Halifax, Harrogate and York.

It took five days to get him, said Neil. They are very difficult to get hold of they are big birds and they are quite fast. They have big legs and they can run!

Ashley is now settling into his new life at Castle Howard near York.

Can you circulate this around

Especially as Xmas is fast approaching - it has been confirmed by Royal Mail. The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the Following scam:

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number).
DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize .
If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed 15 for the phone call.
If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655
6:31 Tue 10 Nov 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Asbo, taken by Vicky.

The Bagot Goats.

Meet our new addition to the Chickens, Asbo we have named him. We named him today after a complaint from Diane who he woke at 3.am this morning with his Cock-A-Doodle-Doing. As you can see he is a fine looking fella.

Asbo is a Light Sussex Cockerel that we have got to run with our laying Hens, 5 of which are Light Sussex. We got the Chickens to give us and our Holiday Guests eggs. It has been one of the best decisions that we made. Our Guest have enjoyed having the Chickens, Geese and not to forget Dennis clucking around the Cottages, and all those who have eaten the eggs think they are better than those in the supermarkets.

The reason for getting Asbo was that now that the Cottages are not going to be so busy for the next couple of months the eggs will go to waste. Hopefully Asbo will start to fertilise them and we will be able to incubate the eggs and produce chicks to grow on to be sold as laying birds in the Spring. Light Sussex are one of the best laying Chickens producing large brown eggs.

The only problem we have is that Asbo is Cock-A-Doodle-Doing. Although we are on a Farm in the countryside, and it is nice to hear a Cockerel, it is anti social at 3.am in the morning. I didn't hear it myself, but I would not want to be woken by a Cockerel at 3.am. Tonight we are going to try to darken the Chicken house so that it is completely dark inside even when light outside, as we were told that a Cockerel will not Cock-A-Doodle- Do if it is completely dark. I am not convinced. If he wakes anyone tonight he will be going back from where he came until the Cottages are not occupied. We will only need him for a month or so and when we are finished with him he will go back.

The Bagot Goats have also been a bit of a problem. I knew there was a reason for me not having Goats in the past. They eat any thing and will make themselves a nuisance trying to get it, that they are with the Rhea. They are not happy with their feed if the can see the Rhea eating theirs so they try to chase the Rhea away from their feeding trough so they can eat it. It causes us to spend time that we don't have not got keeping the Goats away from the Rhea food.

I am not sure how many Billy's and Nanny's we have. I was told the there were I Billy 3 Nanny's and an un-sexed Kid, probably a Nanny. It is a Billy and the way that the Goats are dueling there may not be as many Nanny's as I think. A stand to put the Rheas trough on may stop the Goats, as the the Rhea are a lot taller. As long as the Goats don't knocked the raised trough over it may work. The duelling is a bit different. If it is because there are more Billy's some will have to go. The Kid Billy has an Asbo and will be going in the Spring or there will be unnecessary fighting.
5:54 Mon 09 Nov 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page taken by Vicky on her stay at Denbury this week. She definitely hasn't done Dennis any favours. If he was shown the photograph he would have a complex.

Rhea, Vicky

Black Swan, Vicky

Goose, Vicky

Dennis, Vicky

Emu, Vicky
5:58 Sun 08 Nov 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

On Sunday two weeks ago Chris and I went to the Royal Albert Hall to see a fantastic charity concert for the Performing Rights Society Benevolent Fund. The stars included Kiki Dee, Mick Hucknall and many more, but the highlight for me was seeing The Faces again - albeit without frontman Rod Stewart! (36 years after I first saw them in Bristol)
We stayed overnight in a hotel just around the corner from the Albert Hall, on Queensgate, and Chris was delighted to find that Benny Hill had lived next door! The Albert Memorial looked amazing - very shiny and Gold! Lynne.

Diane, John and Vicky who are staying at the Farm for a coupe of weeks told me that they had seen the Deer last night on the monitor that we have in the Cottages. There were three as the were three night ago. Regular visitor to the webcams will remember that there were three Roe Deer that regularly visited the Valley two years ago, before I allowed a local Farmer to let his cattle graze one of our Field further up the Valley. I didn't see a lot of them the other night but I will make it a point to see if I can recognise them if they come back.



7:13 Thu 05 Nov 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

The Horses at Denbury taken by Marie on her stay at the Farm with Margaret.

We have been very busy over the past few days getting the Paddock where the Rhea are ready for the arrival of the Bagot Goats. Part of the paddock was fenced for Ostriches that was ample secure for the Rhea, but the Goats would soon have found their way out and we really didn't want to be chasing after Goats, so stock fencing now completely surrounds the Paddock.

I collected the Bagot Goats this afternoon from Cricket St Thomas. They loaded on to the Horse Trailer a lot easier than we thought they would. The only suitable place to load them was on a path next to the Cheetah enclosure at the Wildlife Park. The Cheetah got really excited running up and down the fence line. I reckon it could see dinner, with only a fence stopping a feast. The Goats were a bit put out but not as bad as I imagined they would be as they ran after a bucket of feed that one of the Keepers was running with.

The journey back to Denbury is under an hour so it was an easy journey for the Goats. When they got off of the trailer they were very calm. None rushing to get out in a herd, just a casual slow one by one stroll, with a minute or more in between each one getting off. The last one even had to be got up as it was quite happy to stay in the horse trailer. Then it slowly relieved itself before it finally joined the others. They soon found the Rhea feeding trough and ate what was left. I had forgotten to make a stand to put the trough on so that the Goats were unable to reach it. The Rhea feed was put in earlier so they didn't miss today's feed. I will need to make a stand tomorrow.

We are going to get the main horse Field stock fenced so that the Bagot Goats can use that Field with the Sheep and Horses. The straying Sheep can be a nuisance to other Farmers and a pain for us when we have to look for them, so we will have a secure Field for them all.

That was a surprise seeing the Roe Deer in the Valley Field tonight. One was seen this afternoon by the Horse Field entrance gate and ran to the Wood on the right hand side when they heard someone walking close to them.. If I had not followed the Fox walking towards the camera in the Valley I would not have followed it to where the deer were laying. It is the first time for a good few months that we have seen any Deer on the Farm. We know they are about by seeing their foot prints but they have been elusive to the camera.
5:33 Mon 02 Nov 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Siskin, Simon.

3 x Deer, Simon.

Kingdfisher, Simon.

Below is an email that I received fronm the Ranga Hotel this morning. As soon as they let me know I will let you know on the Forum.

Good morning, We have written down your phone nr. So we will call you next time the Northern lights are strong and visible here. Bestu kvejur / Best regards Kolbrn/Harpa
5:55 Sat 31 Oct 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

3 more photographs from Marie on her stay at the Farm with Margaret.

The Ghoul of Denbury.

And again

DENNIS AND FRIENDS WAITIJG FOR BREAKFAST!!!! Marie

BRANSTON, Marie

THORNTON IN SULK MODE !!!!! Marie
5:59 Fri 30 Oct 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

The first being a photograph I got from the Internet of Bagot Goats.

The other four from Lynne.

We have five new addition arriving at Denbury over the next few days. They are Bagot Goats. I nearly had a few Angora ten years ago, but I changed my mind at the last moment after being told of their eating every thing in sight. But after careful consideration we have decided to have a small breeding herd of the Bagot from Cricket St Thomas. Unfortunately although they are pure bred they do not come with pedigrees, but how could I say no to such attractive Goats. Our Holiday Guest will like them and they will be good to see on the webcam, even better if we manage to gets any Kids.

The Goats are going to be put in the same Paddock as the Rhea, and the new Chicken breeding pens we are putting in. I will then put a webcam in that will look over the Paddock and the main Horse Field. The new Paddock will be quite busy.

We moved our Pied Turkeys into a new pen in the Rhea Field on Wednesday. They have been in a stable since they arrived. The outside pen is small at the moment, but new panels to make it larger are on order and should arrive next that will make the pen a very good size for when they are laying eggs, after which we will let them free range over the Rhea Paddock.

I spoke to the Ranga Hotel this evening about letting us know when the Northern Lights are showing. They will as long as they are not busy. Last night was a good night, but the moon was very bright which made them hard to see.

8:55 Wed 28 Oct 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Attached are a few photos taken by my sister in law at that farm in Wales where Bec has been to see the Red Kites.

Red Kites at feeding time, Jill, Epping

Wheeling and soaring, Jill, Epping

Dive bombing, Jill, Epping

Looking like dots in the sky there are in fact 36 birds in this shot! Jill, Epping

I really must go there one day - but its a case of getting there! Jill, Epping

The Barn Owl aviary is working. The page and thumbnail will be changed next week.
6:09 Tue 27 Oct 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Goosanders on Derwentwater, Janette - Cheshire

Canada geese on Grasmere, Janette - Cheshire

Jackdaw, Janette - Cheshire

Peekaboo! Janette - Cheshire

Stags horn fungus (I think) for Jordan and Karen, Janette - Cheshire




6:10 Mon 26 Oct 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page, sent in by Marie whilst she a Margaret were on Holiday at Denbury.

Sorry Elsie I forgot to tell you that it was Mrs Farmer who named Dennis the Turkey. When he was younger he had large eye lashes like Dennis Healey. Dennis was one of four that we kept as pets. A pair for a person who gave us Bantam eggs, and a pair for us. Unfortunately our female died. I actually went over to he Farm where the other pair went. Basil and Rosie they have been named. They have a very nice home just a few mile from us. The Lady who has them has like us lots of pet Chicken, Geese, duck, Geese, Bantam and now Basil and Rosie who she absolutely adores, and who now she admits are her favorites. Like Dennis they follow her around. If you ever meet a pet Turkey you will understand why. They really do have a character of their own and they are lots of fun. We may keep one of next years Turkey Chicks to grow on for a friend for Dennis, although he really is happy with his Silkie friends who he lives with. Where ever Dennis is for sure you will find the Silkies or visa versa.

One of our Holiday Guests found a Pepitrelle Bat in the lamp shade of their bedroom this morning. No one wanted to go into the room all day until one of he men caught it. It caused a lot of excitement with the Children. The Bat was put somewhere safe until it was ready to fly off.
5:19 Sat 24 Oct 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page sent in by Lynne.

We saw one of the released Barn Owls on our way to the Lake a couple of days ago. It is very close to our large hay barn that the Barn Owl Trust put up two nesting boxes. I still have not managed to find the time looking to see if they have settled on the Farm.

Our new arrivals seem to have settled in well. More of the Emu are waiting at their main Field gate to meet me in morning for their feed. I will need to stop them or they will all be there one morning and I will find it difficult to get into give them their food.

The Rhea have also settled. They are using all of their Field rather than confining themselves to a small area. We are able top get quite close to them. Margaret came into their Field when I fed them a couple of days ago.

December time we should start getting eggs from the Emu. We will be incubating some and will show the hatching on the webcam. We will also let the Emu try to hatch their own. Now that Emu do not need a licence to keep we are hoping to be able to sell some of the Emu chicks when they have hatched.

We have seen both Red and Roe Deer in the Woods over the past few weeks, but we have not be able to see any on the webcams in the Valley. I cant imagine that they have not been in the Valley to graze as their is ample grass for them. In the far left hand corner where it narrows to the entrance to the next Field we have seen the Deer foot prints. I should think that the camera has not been in the right place at the right time.

We wont need to buy Thornton treats for a week or two with what Margaret has left for him. She has left biscuits and cereals, treats for the Horses and bread for the Chickens and Dennis. With Thornton spending more time with the Sheep he visits the Cottages early and Margaret and Marie missed him some days.

As from Sunday night I will be feeding the Badgers from about 5.20pm. I will then over the coming few weeks feed them 10 minutes earlier over a week so that I can see where I am going and our Holiday Guests get a chance to see the Badgers.

I have been speaking to Gudny a receptionist at the Hotel Ranga. It was she who had the camera angle changed. I will ask her if she will let me know when their is an Aurora. I am sure that she will as long as she is on duty.
6:00 Thu 22 Oct 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

When we were getting off the ferry, back at Starcross, we saw these fish in the shallow water - they were about 15 - 18 inches long, but I've no idea what they were; Julia

Egret - if it had walked a few yards it would have found the fish!!! Julia

One day, when I was walking around the farm, I saw this fox at the top of the horses' field, out in broad daylight! Julia

Buckeye. conker. Penny, Chicago Chicago Chicago Sorry Penny I missed it.

I will start feeding the Badgers earlier as it is getting dark earlier and our Holiday Guests are not able to see them.



7:12 Tue 20 Oct 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page, all sent in by Lynne.
7:31 Mon 19 Oct 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

5 photographs of our new arrivals.

The Rhea are quite a lot smaller than the Emu. We can get quite close to them, although they do not seem to be a friendly as the Emu. The Emu were hands on as soon as they arrived at the Farm. The Rhea may well turn out the same in time.

My previous experience with Emu was not that good. In fact it made me a little wary about having them. When I had Ostrich I was offered over a hundred at a good price that I was able to make a small profit on to an Ostrich Farm in Wales. The Emu were not at all friendly. I doubt that they had seen a lot of people, not like those we have. When I went to catch them I had a good few kicks. The worse experience was when one decided to climb up me as I went to catch it. It stuck its sharp toe nails into my skin as it climbed five steps up me before jumping over my head. Those we have at the Farm let me walk in between them without any problem.

The Rhea are small versions of the Ostrich other than when it is annoyed. The Ostrich will kick forward and have been known to kill humans. The Rhea bites in the breeding season when protecting the eggs. I was speaking to a Lady who was chased by a Rhea and bitten on the back. So we will need to be careful in the Rhea breeding season.

7:29 Sat 17 Oct 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.


Here are some more photos from our holiday at Denbury.

Dennis; Julia

Silkies; Julia


Silkies; Julia

Looking across the River Exe estuary from Starcross to Exmouth, just before we caught the ferry; Julia

Sea birds - are they Terns? Julia

We collected the Rhea this afternoon. They look lost in the large paddock that we have made secure for them. I will put them on a webcam tomorrow.

Most of what I asked The Ranga Hotel to do has been done. The camera only needs to be put a bit higher so that at least two thirds of the sky can be seen. I will ask for that to be done. Bjorn the Hotel Managers has told me that there have been at least two Aurora since the camera started working.
6:43 Thu 15 Oct 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Other than the disc of photographs that Lynne has sent in there are no other.

More Red Kite photographs from Becs stay in Wales.

More photograph of my visited to Powis Castle. Bec.

The Northern Lights webcam should be going tomorrow. There was a small problem that was causing it to keep stopping and starting.

The Emu have settled in well. Every morning when I feed them most are waiting at the fence to greet me. One has worked out to duck under the fence and is waiting for me at the paddocks main gate. I have to watch that I don't get a kick as I am putting their feed into their feed troughs. When they crowd round the feeders they get inpatient. Now and then one will give a side kick.

Have not had a lot of time to do a Diary or the photographs as we are working flat out to get the Rhea paddock ready for their arrival on Saturday. In the same paddock we are putting in Chicken runs for the breeding of Silkies and Buff Orpingtons, and an area for the Pied Turkeys.

There is a large shed in the paddock that was used when we had Ostrich. It will be perfect for the four Rhea and when partitioned also for the Turkeys.

Thornton has been unwell for the past two days. We reckon that it was something that he ate. He has got over it now. He does seem to exaggerate and feel sorry for himself when he is ill. I have never seen a Sheep act as he does when poorly.

The Kingfisher is very busy on the Lake. I was sitting for fifteen minutes this afternoon with Peter one of our regular Holiday Guest whilst he was fishing. Right opposite within 20 metre the Kingfisher was fishing for all of the time. It was very close to the branch, but out of sight of the camera. I will position the camera in to the direction for the next few days to see if it is using the same spot regular.

The forum was a bit busier today. It has been very quite for a while.
7:23 Mon 12 Oct 09
Starting from number 5 there are 6 new photographs on the Photo Page.

All six were sent in by Lynne.

Sorry about my photographs of the Emu last night. Some how some didn't go on. I will take a few more in the week.

6:44 Sun 11 Oct 09
Just four new photographs on the Photo Page starting from number one.

Nothing stood still when I tried to take a few photographs of some of the Birds this afternoon. I took five photographs of the Pied Turkeys. I would just as well of tried to take a high speed train as they both would have looked the same as they were so out of focus.

Three of the Emu.

One of Dennis.

Our Emu Mob. Yes, that is the collective name for Emu. And believe you me that is the best name they could have. They are not at all intimidating or unkind. In fact I have no fear of them what so ever, but they do look Mob like.

Don't know yet how many Males and Females there are. Again that is what the sexes are known as, but the intention is to let the Emu breed naturally and to incubate some of the eggs. Being that Emu come from the Southern Hemisphere they breed in our Winter time. They are starting to get into their mating season now. The Females make a drumming sound, the Males a deep grunting. We have heard the Females, so we will be able to sex them. We shall need to get a Sheep marker to mark them to be able to know what is what until the end of the breeding season when we will put leg bands on them.

Dennis, not my choice of name for our pet Turkey, I hasten to add, is a favorite with are Holiday Guests. He is so very friendly and likes to be around people. One of last weeks Guests was sitting reading a book with Dennis laid across her feet with his Silkie friends snuggled up to him. He has also learnt as Thornton to wait outside the Cottage door for a treat.
1:27 Fri 09 Oct 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Mouse article sent in by Elsie.

Attached is a photo of my friends' dog, Jess, after being fitted with the wheels that enabled her to run about again after her legs and lower spine no longer worked. She had to drag herself around in the house, but once strapped into the cart would run like the wind!! Sadly she passed away a few months ago - and is sadly missed.... Jill.

Barn owl with vole. Janette

Moss - the European Eagle Owl. We thought he looked like a samurai warrior! Janette

Our Emu numbers increased to 19 today, and will increase again tomorrow to 29. It is nice to have them at Denbury, but the circumstances that we have acquired them is sad. They have come from Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park that is disposing of many of their animals to make way for Gardens that will now be landscaped into most of the Parks animal enclosures.

It is very sad for the staff, some employed at the Park for many years, some well over 20 who are being made redundant. It is going to be hard for them. Any redundancy is difficult, but for those I know who have been looking after the animals for 20 years plus I can see their hurt in knowing that the animals that they have cared for and bred are leaving the Park and they will not see them again. I can imagine their pain as they are putting the animals into the transport lorries, for they are all very caring about the animals they look after.

A lot of the animals are on their way to Yorkshire to another Zoo where they will be given a new home. Others are going to other Zoos and Wildlife Parks. I am getting the Emu and four breeding Rhea that we will breed.

The Emu that we have collected are all very friendly and have settled in much better than we had imagined. It has helped with us being very close to the Park. The journey has been under an hour, causing them very little stress.

I did manage to get a kick in the side from one as I was trying to get them out of the trailer, it didn't hurt to much, just a bit of a shock. Another of the Emu nearly took root to the trailer. It managed to get out of the trailer, but seemed to decide that it liked the trailer better that the field, getting in and out of the trailer so many times that we lost count after ten.

Our four Rhea will be collected next week. We have got to decide where we are going to let them live.



6:38 Tue 06 Oct 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

4 more from Jill, Epping

Another from Becs stay in Wales when she visited a local farm that feed the Red Kites.

As some of you have seen, this afternoon eight Emu arrived at Denbury. They are very friendly. I will tell you more about them in a few days time. I will try to get a few photographs of them tomorrow.
6:51 Mon 05 Oct 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

5 More photographs from Lynne.

The Barn Owls have not taken any feed for the past three nights, or have we seen them even at the mobile aviary. We can only hope that they have found a safe refuge.
6:37 Sun 04 Oct 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Pied Turkey

The Male cardinal, one of the joys of winter BETTY CANADA

Do I really want to go out and play BETTY CANADA

Looks lovely from indoors! BETTY CANADA

Winter welcome in Canada BETTY CANADA

The picture of a Pied Turkey was taken from the Internet to show you what our new editions to Denbury will look like when they are mature. We have seven of the Pied Turkey that are about ten weeks old, that is about the same age as Dennis our pet Turkey. They were transported from North Wales, arriving here yesterday. They came from a remote farm. By the nervous way they were acting they are not use to people. They will soon quieten down once they get use to the different noises. The intention is to breed from what we have. Looking at them we reckon that there are two Stags and three Hens. I will take a photograph of them for the photo page in a day or two.
6:56 Sat 03 Oct 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

All sent in by Jill, Epping.


5:45 Fri 02 Oct 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

5 More photographs from Lynne.
6:54 Thu 01 Oct 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Flowers from our garden in Canada BETTY CANADA

Yes wo do have morris dancers and yes they do go to the pub straight after BETTY CANADA

Our latest fire truck! BETTY CANADA
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Mounties at our July 1st Canada Day parade BETTY CANADA

The Male cardinal, one of the joys of winter BETTY CANADA

The Barn Owls have stopped eating the food that we have been putting in the mobile aviary. We have not seen or heard them returning, so it could be that they have found some where safe to stay. They could be returning to the aviary and we have missed them or they may have flown to a different area. In a week or so I will check around our Farm building to see if I can find any sign of them at Denbury.

I keep trying to find the time to clear a view from the camera to the bird feeder that some of you have asked to be put on the webcam. The view is being stopped by brambles. I normally cut them back with a strimmer, but the two that I have are not working that well and wont do the job. I will need to break them down with a stick as soon as I get the time.

The Sheep are being a nuisance again. The seed potatoes in our neighbours field on the other side of the Wood have been harvested, so they have decided to go back to the field as it is being sown with a new crop. The Farm is not best pleased with me. We have managed to get twelve of them into one of the Barns but the rest are being a bit elusive. Ewy is not helping as every time we try to move them into the direction of the Barn she is the first to start running in the opposite direction causing the rest to follow. As soon as we can pen them all in the Barn I will wean the Lambs from the Ewes and send the Lambs to market. With a lot of the Sheep in the Barn, Thornton has started to be a Dog again. He has for the past few days been coming into the Farm House every night.

The price of cereals have halved from what they were last year. See if the Supermarkets and Bakers reduce the price of bread. I bet not. All animal feed including pet food will have cereal in them so they should also go down in price. Your breakfast cereals will cost a lot less to produce. With the wet summer most root crops will have grown well. Potatoes would have done particularly well. By rights food should start to be less. Let see if it happens.
5:07 Tue 29 Sep 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Deer at Wollaton Park Nottinghamshire. Vicky

Deer Stag at Wollaton Park Nottinghamshire. Vicky

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly Markeaton Park Derbyshire. Vicky

Squirrel Markeaton Park Derbyshire. Vicky

Wheatear Lincolnshire. Vicky

The Barn Owls are still taking the food we put out of an evening. A number of our Holiday Guests who went to see the Badgers last night saw one of them perched on the main Badger camera tower. It flew in the direction of our Barns when it saw them. We have over the years we have been at Denbury allowed a number of areas to grow into the habitat that Barn Owls find their food supply of Voles and the Mice. The main area is in the Badger field. It is nearly an acre in size. We are unable to let stock into the Field because of the holes that the Badgers have dug, and the risk of any live stock injuring themselves if their legs go into them.
6:53 Mon 28 Sep 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

5 More photographs from Lynne.
7:34 Sun 27 Sep 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

THE BADGER WILL BE FED AT 7.15PM FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY)

Allium BETTY CANADA

Lupins thrive in ouir garden BETTY CANADA

Small standard lilac bush BETTY CANADA

Sweet woodruff, June 09 BETTY CANADA

Lily of the valley. May 09 BETTY CANADA

5:44 Sat 26 Sep 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Long time no see!
Here are some photos from or week with you.

Tass (Pup) with a friend; Julia and Chris.

Dennis and Silkies; Julia and Chris.

Geese relaxing in the sunshine; Julia and Chris.

I thought the furniture was for the cottage guests!; Julia and Chris.

Swans on the lake. Julia and Chris.

We had a b rilliant time - again. Thank you both very much. Julia and Chris.

I am going to find it hard feeding the Badgers again after the break I got when Julia fed them for the past week.
5:08 Fri 25 Sep 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

I have recently come back from a stay in Wales and while I was there I visited Powis Castle and the lovely gardens they have there and took some pictures that you might like to post on the website.Bec

The Northern Light webcam can now be accessed. The camera need adjusting to the front of the camera housing. That will make a wider angle and get rid of the circle frame. I don't think that it will be until next week until that is done. The webcam will also need to be restarted every 10 to 15 minutes. The thumbnail to access the webcam needs to have some text put onto it. Today is meant to be the first day that the light may be able to be seen so I have made it available before it is completely finished. The Northern Lights do not happen every night. There is a Northern Lights link at the top of the page that will give you more details. The Hotel manager is out today. When he is next in I will speak to him for information for he has a good knowledge of the Lights.

The two Barn Owls returned last night and should do for a few night. We will keep putting their feed into the aviary until they stop coming back. We will then know that they are finding food for themselves. When their feed was taken up this evening you could here that they were excited that it was coming. I should think that this is the first time that it has been possible to see a live Barn Owl release. I must admit I thought that they would have stayed close to the aviary for the first couple of nights, but I think that they must have left the area within an hour of the top of the aviary being opened. I did record it last night and see what time they returned. I will go between the Badgers and the Barn Owls with the webcam as I did last night, concentrating mainly on the Owls.

5:58 Thu 24 Sep 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Have you guessed yet that lupins are my favourite flower BETTY CANADA

More lupins BETTY CANADA

Yet more lupins BETTY CANADA

Yes I even managed to grow 3 little bluebells May 09 BETTY CANADA

Miniature standard lilac May 09 BETTY CANADA

The Barn Owls are being released this evening. I would think that it will be about 7.10pm The Owls will be encouraged into their box inside the mobile aviary with a piece of sponge put into the hole with a string attached to the sponge leading to the outside of the aviary. This to stop the Owls from panicking whilst the top of the mobile aviary is lifted up. When the top is lifted the sponge will be removed by pulling the string allowing the Owls to find their way out of the aviary. They should return to the mobile aviary for a few days. Hopefully they will find a barn that they will roost in over the Winter. There is a chance that they may stay close to Denbury, but they may make a home further away. I have put a larger infra-red lamp up this afternoon, so hopefully we should be able to see more.
6:57 Wed 23 Sep 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

More photographs from Lynne.

7:21 Tue 22 Sep 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

I have recently come back from a stay in Wales and while I was there I visited to a local farm that feeds Red Kites daily and managed to get some pictures that you might like to post on the website.Bec

Photograph to go with the article below sent in by Elsie.

Check your local newspaper website. You may find
something interesting to put on the Diary page.

Yeadon pupil overcoming disorder

For most people, donkeys conjure up images of the seaside but for five-year-old Edward Wright they are opening up communication with the outside world.

Edward has selective mutism, an isolating childhood disorder which has prevented him from talking outside his own home.

For the past year he has been learning to overcome his disorder with the help of donkeys. Edward, a pupil at Yeadon Westfield Infant School, has been making progress since he began visiting a donkey riding therapy centre on the outskirts of Leeds, the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust.

Now he has appeared on television giving instructions to donkeys at the centre.

Edwards dad Paul said the family was grateful for all the help he had received at school and the centre.

Paul said: It is an absolutely wonderful place. When it was suggested to us I went up there to find out a bit more about it and I was really impressed with the set-up but it was only when I saw him with the donkeys that I realised how important it was.

It was lovely to see his expression and to see him talking to them. He absolutely loves them and the night before he goes he talks of nothing but the donkeys.
7:44 Mon 21 Sep 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

On July 9th, Tai Shan turned four years old! The Zoo's commissary staff made him a special frozen treat, a three-tiered cake made of water, bamboo, shredded beets, and beet juice. The icy masterpiece was topped with a 4, constructed with bamboo. Thanks to everyone who came to the Zoo to celebrate the big day, and to the hundreds of people from around the world who have sent him birthday wishes online.

Tai Shan officially celebrated his fourth birthdaycomplete with singing, guests, and a massive, three-tiered veggie-sicle cake. The frozen masterpiece was made over the course of two weeks by Zoo commissary staff by freezing a combination of water, beets, and beet juice while enhancing it with bamboo and fruit. Tai quickly took to the frozen treat, licking at the ice, spotting his furry face with the melting beet juice. Tai Shan is on the cusp of adulthood; at age four, he is considered a teenager in bear years. Marie/NJ

This morning while out in our hot tub the sky was real pink. Then I noticed on the big pine tree next door to us the two Cooper Hawks on the very top of the tree against the pink sky. I know the hawks don't show up real well, but you can make out their silhouettes. They are beautiful hawks. Karen, Florida (USA)

Another photo taken along Wisconsin Rustic Road 48, in central Wisconsin , near Saxeville. What the road looks like, this one was paved, sort of. Penny, Chicago Chicago Chicago

Lion story sent in by Elsie

How do you like this security system?
This is a true story of a g arage o wner in the Southwest.
He was sick & tired of thugs breaking into his garage shop to steal tools etc.
H e came up with this idea ... He would professionally have cut & trimmed a large fluffy dog to appear as a "Lion". Then he put the word out that he had a new "Mexican Lion" at the shop that would attack anyone who tried to break in or climb his fence.
The would-be thieves saw the "Lion" from a distance and fled the scene.
This worked each and every time -- they were convinced it was a REAL Lion!
Ingenious guy!
6:42 Sat 19 Sep 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Some fungi pictures for Jordan . Let me know what he identifies them as. All take next to the ranger station at Roche A Cri State Park , Adams-Friendship , Wisconsin , under some red pines. Penny, Chicago Chicago Chicago

I had hoped that the Northern Lights webcam would have been up and running by now. We are getting a very good picture from Iceland, but we are waiting for the Hotels web designer to send us a page of their website so that we can put the webcam screen into it and get the webcam on our servers. At the moment the webcam image is on the Hotels server, If more than a couple of viewer watch it the server will fail and stop the Hotels website from appearing. I spoke to Bjorn the Hotel Manager just before 7 pm this evening, he is going to try to hurry the page along.

There is still no positive news on the Black Swan Pen. It looks as if it is going to be a long time before she returns.

At last we have made our hay with no help at all from the Met Office. They must be crowing to themselves with getting the forecast right for the past week or so. Mind you it is not rocket science to see that there is clear skies from a satellite. That wouldn't be a bad idea if we were able to see the live satellite images. They would be able to close the Met Office and sack all their employees.

The work is now finished in stopping the erosion that was threatening the Lake. The person who has been doing it has done a good and tidy job. Just after Christmas we will need to plant a lot of willow shoots in the the repaired bank. It wont take long for a good root structure to form and secure the bank for a long time.

Last night at about 8.pm I checked the Valley webcam and saw that Thornton was on his own without any signs of the other Sheep. He was heading down the Valley towards the Woods. Not a good place for Thornton to be going, as Thornton really hasn't any Sheep sense. That is why he gets parted from the other Sheep. He has a habit of going into a deep sleep. Trouble was when he wakes he is on his own not knowing what way the Sheep have gone. We had no option but to go and get him. Thornton was having none of it, he had me running here there and everywhere. When I finally managed to get hold of him I was exhausted in pain after falling flat out and Thornton wasn't helping. He wasn't wanting to go the way I wanted him to go, so I needed to put him across my shoulders. I managed to get a couple of hundred yards but he was to heavy for me to go any further. With help including Jean one of last weeks Holiday Guests in holding him down I went and got our car and drove into the Valley Field to collect him. He soon settled down in the Farm House and has been about the Farm Yard all day. I should think that he will go back with the Sheep when they come back. Well at least until it starts raining.

Julia and Chris arrived for there Holiday this afternoon. They are still keen to feed the Badgers whilst they are here. I wont be complaining. I will show them what to do tonight and leave them to do the feeding for a whole week.
7:48 Fri 18 Sep 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

5 More photographsv from Lynne.

Artical sent in by Elsie.

Peregrine falcon shot and fatally wounded

POLICE are appealing for information after a protected bird of prey was found fatally wounded.

The bird, a young female peregrine falcon, was found alive on land near Hornby Castle, between Catterick and Bedale, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday.

After an examination and x-ray by an avian specialist, it was found that the bird had been shot in the last five to six days with a shotgun.

The shotgun pellets had caused infection and fatal damage to the bird's flight muscles and tendons, leaving it incapable of flight.

To prevent the bird from any further suffering, it was put to sleep.

PC Mark Rasbeary, a wildlife Crime officer with North Yorkshire Police, said: "This is awful.

"Peregrine falcons are magnificent birds of prey, however we are finding that they are increasingly becoming the target of people who, for reasons of their own, hold a grudge against them.

"North Yorkshire Police takes crimes against wildlife very seriously.

"Shooting a peregrine falcon is a crime, the bird has the highest protection under schedule one of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

"Rest assured, we will root out the offenders and bring them to justice."

Penalties upon conviction for killing a bird of prey include fines of up to 5,000 or up to six months in prison, or both.

Courts can also order the confiscation of any vehicle, weapon or other items used to commit the offence Witnesses are asked to call PC Rasbeary on 0845-60-60-24-7, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.
8:07 Thu 17 Sep 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

These photos were all taken along Wisconsin Rustic Road 48, in central Wisconsin , near Saxeville.

Sign at beginning of road. Penny, Chicago Chicago Chicago

End of road with a small bluebird house made of a branch. Penny, Chicago Chicago Chicago

Farm house circa 1854, an original land grant farm. Penny, Chicago Chicago Chicago

Of all the strange things in central Wisconsin , a farm that had Scottish Highland cattle. Penny, Chicago Chicago Chicago

A landing for a logging operation, mostly hardwoods, where they stack the just cut timber to wait for transport to the mill. Most of the timber from here goes for pulp (paper) and if it is valuable hardwood, like walnut, it might go for lumber for furniture. Penny, Chicago Chicago Chicago
5:08 Wed 16 Sep 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Tree growing on a rock in Gorge BETTY CANADA

Fern in a rock at Gorge, amazineg where things will grow BETTY CANADA

River to gorge at lake placid 2 BETTY CANADA

River to gorge at Lake Placid New York

Gorge near Lake Placid New York May 08 BETTY CANADA
6:57 Tue 15 Sep 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

More photographs from Lynne taken on their visit to the British Wildlife Centre.
6:15 Mon 14 Sep 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Hedgehog? BETTY CANADA

Octopus? BETTY CANADA

Something from a horror movie? Lake Placid New York BETTY CANADA

Lower part of waterfall at gorge near Lake Placid, New York BETTY CANADA

Walkway by the gorge near Lake Placid New York BETTY CANADA

We are waiting for a website page from the Hotel that the Northern Light webcam is coming from. As soon as we have it we will put the webcam on. It wont be much longer. There is not a lot to see on the webcam other than a large open plain with mountains in the very far distance. But we are getting a very good picture from Iceland.

I don't know if Tawney Owl will show itself tonight. It was perched on top of the Barn Owl
aviary last night. When I moved the webam onto the aviary after the Badger had had their feed it was perched looking into the the aviary. The Barn Owl were as surprised as the Tawney was of having the intruders on its patch.

This years Badger Cubs are waiting every night for their food to arrive. They seem to be a lot braver than those of earlier years. I going to have to stop them as they are even coming very close to me when I am putting the food down. We need to stop them believing that humans are friendly or they will get themselves into trouble.

The work around the Lake to stop the erosion is nearly finished. Because of the wet, work had to stop as the machinery was making a mess of the ground and walking around the Lake was uncomfortable.

The injured Swan is still having treatment at the sanctuary. It looks as if she will be there for quite a long time before she is fully recovered.

We still have not managed to make our hay. The damp ground is making the hay take a long time to dry. The cold nights are leaving a lot of dew on the drying hay in the morning, so that needs to dry off as well as the moisture in the grass. On checking it this afternoon it may be ready to bale tomorrow.

Thornton is still wanting to be a Sheep. When we see him with the other Sheep we give them some feed. The Dogs always go and see him and make a fuss of him as if they have missed him. When the other Sheep start to move away Thornton seems to be torn to what way to go. He looks at us then the Sheep, then looks again and some time again not knowing what way to go, finally he follows the Sheep. We are not sure if being a Sheep is going to be permanent. The weather is very good so he may decide that being a Sheep is not to good when it starts raining.

5:08 Sun 13 Sep 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Lynne has sen me 200 photographs taken by David. I will put all of them on over the coming weeks. Todays suit the moment.

WE WENT TO SUSSEX AND KENT FOR A FEW DAYS AND WENT TO THE BRITISH WILDLIFE CENTRE

IT WAS ABSOLUTLY FANTASTIC .WE SPENT OVER 6 HOURS THERE AND TOOK SOME LOVELY PHOTOS.

THERE ARE TOO MANY TO SEND YOU BY E MAIL SO I HAVE PUT THEM ON DISK AND I WILL POST IT TO YOU.

IF YOU WANT TO USE ANY OF THEM ON YOUR WEBSITE LET ME KNOW. BEST WISHES LYNNE.
7:44 Sat 12 Sep 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Five more photographs sent by Simon taken on his stay at Denbury.

Badger. Simon

Young Bullfinch. Simon

Long Tailed Tit. Simon

Spotted Flycatcher. Simon

Buzzard on Post. Simon

I adjusted the infra-red lamp today, so hopefully we should get a more clear picture on the Barn Owls.

5:41 Fri 11 Sep 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Lake Placid New York, wouldn't it be nice to have a cottage like that, OK if you have 3 million dollars BETTY CANADA

Lake Placid New York BETTY CANADA

Lake Placid New York BETTY CANADA

Hand Made flower quilt at Shelburne museum, Burlington Vermont. BETTY CANADA

We have been wanting to do a Barn Owl release at Denbury since our first relationship with the Barn Owl Trust three years ago. The release shows another part of what the Trust does for the welfare of the Barn Owls. We didn't think that it was going to happen this year, with the good weather that we had a the beginning of the Summer no Owlets that had fallen from their nest had been found and handed to the Trust. Then we had the wet spell and a number of orphaned Owlet were found and handed in to the Trust.

In the majority of cases the Owls are released in the areas that they are found. Of course this is not always possible and release sites have to be found. This year a pair are being released at Denbury.

In the seventeen years we have been at the Farm we have never seen a Barn Owl so Denbury is a good location. We have allowed a number of areas close to the Farm Yard to grow rough. The Badger Field being one where the Mobile Aviary is sited. The rough grass allows Mice, Voles and Rats to breed so there is a plentiful source of food in the Badger Field for the Barn Owls. There is another Field within a couple of hundred metres that is rough parkland and various other places very close by.

The mobile aviary is positioned close to the highest place in the Badger Field so that the Barn Owls are able to get the best possible panoramic views of the surrounding fields, farmland and buildings. They will be kept in the mobile aviary for about two weeks so that they are able to get use to the area and noises. In that two weeks we will be feed and water the Owls. The feed we put in last night had been eaten by this morning so they had found the food. After about two weeks the roof will be raised to allow the Owls freedom. They should return to the Aviary for a short period before taking the final journey to freedom. We would like to think that the Barn Owls will choose Denbury as their home. The chance of that is very remote, but the release will hopefully allow us to see Barn Owls over the coming years.

I have fitted an infra-red lamp in the area of the aviary, as long as it is working you should see the Owls on the perches in the aviary. I will put it on after the Badgers have eaten.
6:03 Wed 09 Sep 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

The five photographs were all sent in by Simon. Simon and his family stayed at Denbury a couple of weeks ago when the photographs were taken. I will put five more of those he sent on the Photo page in a few days time.
9:53 Tue 08 Sep 09
Sorry didn't finish our work until late so I will be unable to put any photograph on.

Four of the Geese were missing. After an hour of looking for them we finally found then by the small Pond where they must have been pushed along the drive by a vehicle leaving the Farm.

The Good news is that Ewy with her two Lambs appeared from no where this evening.

5:53 Mon 07 Sep 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Sorry Janette I forgot to let people know that last night photographs were from you.

My Orchid indoors, 2nd flowering July 09 BETTY CANADA

Roundhouse, Shelburne Museum, Burlington Vermont BETTY CANADA

Paddle steamer at Shelburne Museum, Burlington, Vermont BETTY CANADA

Covered bridge at Shelburne Museum, Burlington Vermont BETTY CANADA

Hand made quilt at Shelburne museum, Burlinton Vermont BETTY CANADA
6:30 Sun 06 Sep 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Barn owl with vole. Janette

Moss - the European Eagle Owl. We thought he looked like a samurai warrior! Janette

Moss in close-up. Janette

Chocolate a juvenile European Eagle Owl. He stole everyones heart! Janette

Herons waiting for Heron Happy Hour. These wild herons are fed every day at 4:30. Many years ago, a member of the family living at Muncaster Castle began feeding a couple of herons. They brought their offspring and then, over the years, they brought their families. In one tree we counted at least 12 herons and there were 2 large trees in addition to this one with at least as many, so we think there must have been about 40 altogether. A female buzzard has taught her young to steal the food from the herons in mid-air! Janette

The balloons at the Loch of the Lowe's are to celebrate the Lochs 40th Birthday.

We had a disabled dog wheeled cart for Cass a German Shepperd that we had a few years ago. A couple of times she managed to move around with it. At other times she really had a problem using it and would finish on her back with the cart still attached. We stopped using it in case she hurt herself.

Owls can have two clutches. The Barn Owl webcam at Brno Zoo last year was their second clutch. Their Barn Owls used the same nest box as the first.

Over the next week we hope to be showing a webcam of two Barn Owls being released. The release is being organised through the Barn Owl Trust and is part of the important work that they do. It will be with unrelated pair of this year hatched Owls that are unable to be released to where they were found. For about two weeks the Owls will be kept in a mobile aviary so that they become aware of the surroundings and noises. By the third week the aviary will be opened to allow the Owls freedom. They should return to the aviary for a week or so. It is unlikely that they will settle nearby. I will let you know when it is to happen and get the Barn Owl Trust to let you know more.

The injured Pen Swan is doing very well at the Swan Sanctuary. She needed to have an operation by cutting her neck open to repair the oesophagus that had been torn when the idiot who let her swallow hook ripped it out. The intention is for her to be kept at the Sanctuary for about another two weeks before returning to the Farm. The new Cob that we got is now on its own most of the time since the Pen went to the Sanctuary, so I am sure that they were pairing.

The major part of the repairs to the stream bank are complete. It would have been finished last week if it had not been for the rain we had. The wet ground was being poached very badly by the wheels of the dumper truck and we needed to stop work. As soon as the ground dries the work will be completed by back filling between the bank and the post and netting that have been put up. I must admit that I feel a lot happier that the Lake is protected.

As some of you noticed we cut the Valley Fields for hay on Friday. The weather forecast promised it would be dry for at least 5 days with a chance of light showers Monday afternoon. Would you believe it we had light rain all day Saturday and now promises of heavy showers tomorrow. The met office must employ complete idiots as they have not got the weather right for nearly two months. I kept a daily record two weeks ago, they managed to be correct on only two days of the week. I don't know what is going to happen with the hay. We have made only a quarter of what we need.

Ewy and her Lambs have been missing for over a week. We have hunted all around the Farm looking for her without seeing any signs. She does go off and do her own things but never for over a week. She is quite old for a Ewe so it is a worry that she may go off to die. We will keep looking. As for Thornton he is still making up his mind what he wants to be. Last night we saw him go into the Horse Field with the rest of the Sheep. This morning all the Sheep other than Thornton had moved from the Field leaving Thornton on his own. Trouble with Thornton is that when he goes to sleep it is a deep sleep and he snores for England, so he would not notice the other Sheep going away until they had gone. Late morning the Sheep returned and Thornton is back with them.

I have arranged to speak to the IT person tomorrow at the Ranga Hotel to get the Northern Light webcam going. The camera is in place and the computer nearly all set up. There are a few odds and end to sort out with the webcam being put into a page and the thumbnail made to access the page. As long as I am able to speak to the IT person tomorrow it should be going in a few days.
6:53 Sat 05 Sep 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Other than the photographs that Betty has sent in we are nearly out.

Frog on Dad's patio - a long way from home. Jill, Epping

Here are a couple of photos from the garden yesterday. A small flock of Long Tailed Tits arrived - the Great Tit didn't seem too impressed! Julia

Attached is a photo of my friends' dog, Jess, after being fitted with the wheels that enabled her to run about again after her legs and lower spine no longer worked. She had to drag herself around in the house, but once strapped into the cart would run like the wind!! Sadly she passed away a few months ago - and is sadly missed.... Jill
6:38 Fri 04 Sep 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Trilliums near us, also come in claret red but hard to find. BETTY CANADA

Mapp the computer cat, named after Mapp and Lucia BETTY CANADA

Poppy in my garden BETTY CANADA

Peony in my garden June 09 BETTY CANADA

Japanese peony in my garden May 09 BETTY CANADA
6:17 Thu 03 Sep 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Photograph to go with the article below. Sent in by Elsie.

Gardeners "bothy" in the walled garden, converted from an old Oast House. Jill, Epping

Busy Bees in artichoke flower head. Jill, Epping

Victorian Greenhouse. Jill, Epping

Fountain statue in the Italian Garden. Jill, Epping

Don't worry Elsie, no one is fishing and the lines are in.

A DISABLED dog is enjoying a new lease of life thanks to a set of wheels fitted by a comedian.

John Bishop, who was yesterday nominated for the Best Comedy Show award at the Edinburgh Festival, stopped off on his way to Scotland to fit wheels to Darlington labrador Daisy.
The wheels had belonged to his own dog who had recently died but thanks to a chance meeting in Darlington last December they soon found a new owner.

Daisys owner, John Landers, 73, said: She is 12-years-old and last year developed problems with her back legs. I was quite resigned to her being like that for the rest of her life.

But as luck would have it, my son, Martin, was at a gig in Darlington one Saturday night, when the comedian happened to mention he had a dog with two front legs and two back wheels.

Martin collared the comedian after he came off stage, and mentioned that his dad, me, had a dog that was very similar.

The pair exchanged contact details and six months later, Mr Bishop called Mr Landers to tell him that although his dog had died, he would be happy to donate the wheels to Daisy.

Last month, with a gig scheduled to start in just 45 minutes, Mr Bishop arrived at John Landers home with the wheels.

I was amazed, said Mr Landers.

He was due on stage, but he was insistent on setting it up right.

But the promoter of Mr Bishops gig that night said he did not share the same joy when he learned that instead of preparing for his show, his star turn was attaching wheels to a dog.

Neil Jollie, who runs the Hilarity Bites comedy club, said: I was nervous, I was keeping in touch over the phone. But he did get on stage in time and it was fantastic.

Daisy is now getting used to life on wheels after months struggling to manoeuvre and not being allowed outdoors.

Mr Landers said: It is wonderful.

We thought she was a goner. Its made such a big difference, now she has a new lease of life. She loves it.
7:34 Wed 02 Sep 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Here's some photos from Kruger,

Blue starling on an aloe plant, these birds love aloe this is one of my favourite photos. Claire

Mother cheetah with 3 cubs. Unfortunately soon after this photo was taken, dad found the cubs abandoned. We think mother had been killed probably by a hyena or lion(their greatest enemies). We took them in and hand reared them, one died soon after probably from stress the other 2 we successfully released back into the wild. Claire

The 2 male cheetah cubs just before release, we had them in a holding enclosure prior to release along with another female cheetah you can see in the back. During this time they have very minimal contact with humans and enough natural game gets through for them to learn to hunt. Claire

These were taken by my dad early one morning shortly after the 2 brothers had been realeased, last time he saw them. On a note female cheetahs are loners, male siblings stay together for life. Claire

A brown hooded Kingfisher. Quite different from Kingfishers here in England but still noticealbly a kingfisher. Claire


7:57 Tue 01 Sep 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

We are getting very short of photographs.

These pictures were too cute not to share. Marie/NJ

Pandas After The Earthquake

The earthquake was right in the area where giant pandas live.

Most pandas are protected well, especially those babies, even if they were scared a lot.

Right after earthquake. They rushed out and some stayed together.

I will do a weeekly Diary, and as the night draw in we finish the Farm work earliers so if there is anything interesting happening I will let you know.
4:24 Mon 31 Aug 09
Over the past couple of months with the workload that there is on the Farm I have found it difficult to find the time to do a Diary and I have decided that I will be unable to do any more.

I will continue uploading the photographs whilst they are being sent in, and let you know of any new webcams or other events of interest.

As a lot of you have guessed the new webcam is the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. It is being broadcast from the Ranga Hotel in Iceland. http://hotelranga.is/ I spoke to the Hotel this afternoon. An electrician should have fitted the camera today, but he didn't turn up. With a bit of luck it should be going by the end of the week. I will keep you updated.
7:39 Sun 30 Aug 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Starting to get short of photographs.

Red squirrel takes his turn, really had to squeeze in there BETTY CANADA

Chipmunk and black squirrel, might as well lay down on the job BETTY CANADA

Trillium wood near us, Ontario provincial flower BETTY CANADA

Trilliums again BETTY CANADA

Trilliums near us, also come in claret red but hard to find. BETTY CANADA

It is very rarely that those fishing at Denbury don't respect the Wildlife and the animals. Probably only two that I can remember. One was last year and the other just over the past week or so. That person allowed one of the Black Swans to swallow a fishing hook and did not tell us that it had happened. Since the last time that it happened we have rules about fishing and the Swans. Nothing that would cause those fishing any disturbance, but would stop the Swans from getting injured. The worst part was that who ever it was did not tell us.

I only realised yesterday afternoon when I saw a swelling at the top of the Swans neck. A first I thought that it was the original Swan and that the injury had started to get worse. It was quite easy to catch it. This time we put a net right across the lake and walked it to one end trapping the Swan in the reed, it was then easy to catch it with a very large fishing landing net. Vicky I noticed on the Forum had seen me rowing trying to get the Swan up on end of the Lake.

I believe it is a Pen that is injured. We decided that we would send the Swan to the Swan Sanctuary at Shepperton, Middlesex on the out skirts of London. They have a great deal of experience with this type of injury. See their website www.swanuk.org.uk The Swan Sanctuary is a charity. They do not charge for any medical care. We will donate what we would have needed to have paid to a Veterinary. By the time we had caught the Swan it was getting very late but their volunteers met me half way from Dorset where the Pen spent last before being taken to the Sanctuary this morning.

8.55pm. Just spoke to the Swan Sanctuary. The Pen has been operated on and at the moment all is looking OK.

I did tell you that the new camera would be working by the beginning of September. But as it is not I will tell you about it on Tuesday. It could have been today but I thought that you wouldn't mind waiting another couple of days.
7:53 Fri 28 Aug 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Northern California , near San Jose/San Francisco:

Female sea lions on the boardwalk in Santa Cruz . They are not in a cage but in a fenced off area (for their own safety) on the boardwalk. They get into the fenced area by climbing up a ladder like ones found in swimming pools for people to get out of the pool. Penny

Little lizard on the beach at Big Sur. Penny

Another shot of the female sea lions. Penny

Sunset into the Pacific Ocean at Big Sur. Penny

Male sea lions, under the boardwalk at Santa Cruz. Penny

Yesterday the Butcher who we get our dog meat from gave us two large bags of beef trimmings that was a little bit off colour. Last night I decided to try putting some of it on the pole in the Valley in the hope that an Owl may have come and eaten it. It didn't work for the Owl but a Buzzard did land on the Pole this morning and ate one piece. One of this weeks Holiday Guests managed to get a photograph. He has promised to send some of his photographs that he has taken on the Farm this week for the Photo Page, including the Buzzard on the Pole. You may have noticed that I have replaced an infra-red lamp bulb in the Valley. We may see a bit more Wildlife than we have recently, Although as we still haven't managed to cut the grass for our hay in the Valley it is long and will stop us from seeing as much as maybe we would with the grass cut. If I get time tomorrow evening I will put meat on the Pole in the evening and do a close up on the webcam after the Badger have had a feed.

Some of you have asked about Thornton. Until last night he has been living in the Farm House for a good few weeks, only wanting to be a Sheep of a daytime. Last night he was on the drive with the rest of the Sheep and started to walk towards the Farm House as if coming in for the night. For some reason he changed his mind and turned back and stayed with the Sheep for the night. He would normally be waiting outside the kitchen door in the morning for his feed. He didn't bother this morning. It wasn't until this evening that we saw him, and that was because as we hadn't seen him all day we went looking. When we found him we could see he had decided to stay out again tonight. It could well be that some of the Ewes are in season. Not that he is able to mate with them.

I had hoped that the new webcam would have been going by now. Not that you will be missing anything to much. There is still over three weeks to go before what will be able to be seen can be seen in the right conditions.

7:05 Thu 27 Aug 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Three photographs of the work being done on the Stream bank.

Black Squirrel finding his nuts in mid winter BETTY CANADA

Our snowdrops do really come up in the snow, from our garden Feb.09 BETTY CANADA

I have put 3 photographs of the work being done on the Stream to stop the erosion. You may be able to work out the problem we have. The baskets that you can see are a metre high, a metre wide and two metres long. The are six baskets on the bottom row covering just over twelve metres and two on the top row. They are now filled with over 34 tonne of stone. The baskets will hold the bank from falling any further in the spot where the problem is the greatest. Through the rest of the length of the stream, about ninety metres there are over three hundred 2.4 metre post that are going to be driven into the stream bed. Behind the posts a very strong metal netting will be placed behind them. This will stop any more erosion. To hide the structure Willow will be planted. The Willow roots will bind all of the soil to give the bank strength.

The Swans are still getting on well together and the injured Swan is still looking well. The new Swan is not in quite the good condition as our Swans are. It is probably because our Swans where hatched at the Wildlife Park and were free as near as they would have been in the Wild and would have eaten naturally. The new Swan came from a small Wildfowl breeding centre and would have been fed a certain times through the day. He will soon change.
7:54 Wed 26 Aug 09
Just finished work, so it is a bit late to do a Diary or Photographs.

The new Swan has settled in well. He seems to be pairing off with what I hope is a Pen. The injured Swan still has the swelling or maybe permanent lump in its neck, but it doesn't seem to be bothering him.
6:52 Tue 25 Aug 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Just west of Penzance, swans on Drift Reservoir; Julia

Is this a Bullfinch? Spotted on the North. Julia

Cornwall coast between Portreath and Perranporth; Julia

Black Dragon Hibiscus in my garden. The very first bloom.
Karen, Florida (USA)

This was taken as the sun was setting - I thought the cloud looked a bit like a dragon breathing fire!; Julia

Another view of Drift Reservoir. Julia

Trying to make a few Chicken Houses, so just a quick Diary.

Sorry forgot to position the camera so that you can see the new Cob Swan. As soon as he arrived we made the decision to put him straight on the Lake. Our three were no where to be seen. The noise of the work being done around the Lake had made the hide themselves just behind the Kingfisher branch in a thicket that overhangs the water. It was just as well as it gave the new Swan time to get his bearings on the Lake. Where he had come from he was only on a small pond so it was a big difference. I didn't see our Swans introduce themselves, but a few of our Holidays Guests did and they said it was as if they had known each other for ever.

The bottom layer of baskets have been positioned in the Stream and half filled with the stone. We were let down by the first people who were supplying the stone but we managed to find another supplier who delivered 32 tonne on two lorries within four hours, at a bit less money as well. The idea was to have it tipped on the grass close to the small Pond but I decided to put it in our drive just outside the Gates. I tell you 32 tonne of stone is an awful lot of stone. It partly blocked our entrance to the drive and spilled over on to the Lane out side our driveway. Half of it was moved this afternoon. So it is not a problem.
7:21 Mon 24 Aug 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

JUST A FEW FLOWERS PICTURES. LYNNE.

The rain hasn't helped the workmen doing the Lake. Once again the Met Office got it wrong. For the past four days I have been coping their forecast from their website and also the local weather. I am sure that I don't need to tell you that over the past four days they got the forecast correct on one day. Yesterday the local forecast on the web was sunshine and cloud. It said the same this morning until about 10am when it told us that we were in for heavy rain. It had already been pouring down for two hours. Despite the rain the stream bed has been levelled and the bottom layer of baskets that will hold the stone are in place.

As long as all goes to plan the new Cob Swan will be collected tomorrow. To save it any stress we will probably let it straight onto the Lake when it gets here. I may just decide to let the resident Swans get use to it for an hour as the top layer of basket for the stone are not going in the Stream until Wednesday. They measure 2m x 1m x 1m large enough for the new Swan to go into for a short period as long as it does not get stressed.

Reading up on Black Swans last night, it told that Black Swan are the only Swans that will live with others amicably during the breeding period. That may just make me decide to keep the two pairs.

8:49 Sun 23 Aug 09
There are photographs but I have just finished work and have not had the time to alter the size of them to put up. If you know how re-size photographs we need them to be 640x480. Some of you may.

TOMORROW I WILL BE FEEDING THE BADGERS AT 8.20pm.

Work starts tomorrow on supporting the stream bank to stop the erosion that is risking the Lake from finishing up in the Stream. At the end of last year we had a so called experienced erosion expert look at the problem. Fortunately we did not use them the sort the problem out as what they identified as being the problem was not. The problem that was wrongly identified was erosion by the stream at the bottom of the bank. The problem we have is the weight of the soil at the top of the bank that is exaggerated when we have heavy rain over a prolonged period, as we did in July. It is causing the top of the bank to collapse causing large parts of the bank from top to bottom fall away. The walkway in between the Lake and the Stream is narrowing so we have got to do the work as soon as we can. So it will be started tomorrow.

There is a stretch of over 25m that has to be supported with metal baskets up to 2m high filled with stone. It will need about 40 tonne of stone. It will need the top of the baskets to the top of the bank and back filled with soil. Another 90m of the stream will be staked about every 30cm. Behind the stakes there will be heavy galvanized netting. That to will be back filled with soil. Willow will be put in the soil next spring to let a willow bank form. We then need to hope that it will solve our problem.

This afternoon when we walked around the Pond next to the Lake. Tass and Kye found the scent of where an Otter had entered the Pond. They also found the bone of an Eel that the Otter had caught in the Pond. It is an easy food source for the Otter and I will need to electric fence the Pond as I have the Lake as there are Large Fish in the Pond. What also has concerned me is that inside the fenced Lake area we noticed a path where something had entered the Lake. It may be the Swans although I have not seen them use that place. I have altered the infra-red lamp to light the area and I will record the webcams so that if there is anything in the area using the path we will know what it is. It will be on webcam three after the Badgers. Let me know on the Forum if you see any thing.
7:23 Sat 22 Aug 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Winter from our bedroom window BETTY CANADA

Rosie the cat having a snooze in our bedroom, for all you cat lovers. BETTY CANADA

Rosie the cat having a snooze in our bedroom, for all you cat lovers. BETTY CANADA

I knew they were there somewhere!! BETTY CANADA

Black Squirrel finding his nuts in mid winter BETTY CANADA

6:56 Fri 21 Aug 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Northern California , near San Jose/San Francisco:

Golden Gate Bridge with fog rolling in. Penny

Looking back up Lombard Street. Penny

Almaden-Quicksilver State Park. Penny

Big Sur. Penny

Dolphins off the coast near Monterey. Penny

I really thought that you would be more imaginative than you have been. Just a few guesses of what the new webcam is going to be. I have written down at least 50 ideas that there are with the clues I have given, and that was not even trying, and I know what it is. Still as long as it is up and running in the expected time you wont have long to wait.

The Cob Swan is still eating well and looking alright even with the lump on it neck. The new Cob is being collected on next Tuesday. Not to sure how he will be greeted when we introduce him onto the Lake with our three. Speaking to the person we are getting it from there is no telling how it will go. His experience has been with the Pen playing hard to get, chasing the Cob all over the place. They eventually got together but it took a few weeks. Another person has told me that the Cobs may have a bit of a set to.

Sorry that I have been neglecting the webcams recently. For the past few weeks we have been very busy. I need to replace a couple of infra-red bulbs. One in the Valley and the other on the Lake. I also need to find the break in the cable for the webcam that faces onto the Badger Sett. It is not the best of jobs, but it would have been worse still if I had of tried to do it in the rain. One of the webcam cables for the Swallows was broken earlier in the year. The Barn that it is wired to is the only place that the Swallows are still nesting in. Usually the Barn that the working Swallow webcam is going has Swallow nest this time of year, but since the Tawny Owl raided the Swallow and Doves nest a month or so back nest no birds have nested in the Barn.
7:46 Thu 20 Aug 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

THESE WERE ALL TAKEN AT HAMPTON COURT.
THEY HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GARDENS. LYNNE.

The lump on the Cob Swans neck is still there, but the secondary swelling has now gone.He is eating well and looks well in himself. I hope that I am correct in believing that there are two Pens and one Cob as we are getting another Cob next week. I am not sure that I will be keeping two pairs, but if I decide not to it will be easier to sell a pair of Swans rather that one on its own.

The new webcam that I have been keeping you in suspense with is hopefully going to be broadcasting before the beginning of September. I have decided that I will torment you a little more and as it is so close to be going. You may think with the little tit bits I will be giving you that you know. Try me. I may tell you if you are correct.

The camera will be located in a cold place. Although the webcam will be broadcasting all through the year the main subject that it will be covering will only be able to be seen for about six months from the middle of September. To my knowledge there is only one other webcam broadcasting the subject.
6:34 Wed 19 Aug 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Here is a photo of Houghton Mill - in Cambridgeshire. A friend took it and it is very similar to an official photo of the mill but quite a few differences - Rosie's Mum in Toronto

Trying to get the hang of new camera:

Young raccoon in the local ravine - Rosie's Mum

Lobelia on our balcony - Rosie's Mum

Rosalee - Rosie's Mum

Golden Eagle to go with the article below that I found after reading Janette - Cheshire entry on the Forum.

Not to sure if Janette is correct about no breeding pairs of Golden Eagles left in the UK. I did speak to a person on the Isle of Mull about a year ago trying to do a webcam.

Game shooting is by far the most cruel bloodsport. Worse than hunting with dogs. The big shooting estates in England and Scotland are run solely for profit. There is no consideration given to any wildlife that gets in the way. Birds of prey do take Grouse but the easy answer is to release more birds to allow for those taken by birds of prey.

Golden eagle tagged in conservation plan found poisoned to death

Alma, a golden eagle tracked on conservationist website, vanished in early July and was found poisoned to death today

Police raided a Highland grouse moor today after a golden eagle that had been satellite-tagged as part of a government-funded project was found poisoned with illegal pesticides.

The grouse moor, keepers' cottages and vehicles on the Millden estate near Brechin in Angus were searched under warrant after Tayside police and wildlife crime investigators raided the property early this morning. There were no arrests, and no one from the estate was available for comment.

The estate is run by Nick Baikie, a grouse moor manager who was previously employed by Mark Osborne, an Oxfordshire-based chartered surveyor. Grouse moors run by Osborne in Scotland and England have previously been raided by police investigating alleged wildlife crime offences.

The bird, known to conservationists as Alma, was a young female golden eagle whose daily movements had been tracked on the website of one of Scotland's leading conservationists, Roy Dennis, as it flew over the Cairngorms.


The daily records on Dennis's website ended on 2 July, the second anniversary of its tagging in 2007 on the Glenfeshie estate in the Highlands, as part of a long-term study into their behaviour and breeding.

Alma had flown up to 130 miles from her eyrie in the Cairngorms national park, reaching as far north as Loch Maree in Wester Ross. She was found dead in deep heather, with her adult plumage beginning to appear from under her moulting juvenile feathers, Dennis said.

"We're just terribly, terribly disappointed," he said. "It's just tragic because, as the months went by this bird became more and more interesting. Hundreds of people had been following her, and she is nationally known. It just beggars belief that she has been poisoned.

"It's difficult enough to be an eagle anyway, but to have this extra burden is just appalling. I'm in favour of hunting but it has to be done ecologically and ethically, and this is totally unacceptable."

Superintendent Ewen West, of Tayside police, said: ''The golden eagle was part of a project being undertaken by Scottish National Heritage. The bird was being continuously tracked and when her movements came to an abrupt stop at the beginning of July suspicions were raised that she had died. Sadly, she had been illegally poisoned."

Golden eagles may be deliberately targeted by gamekeepers who want to stop any birds of prey eating grouse or pheasant, but the species normally fall prey to poisoned baits which are laid out on sporting estates to kill other birds of prey, including hen harriers, white-tailed eagles and buzzards.

Roseanna Cunningham, the Scottish environment minister, said: "I am truly appalled that yet another golden eagle has been illegally killed in Scotland - the second this summer. Illegal poisoning is simply inexcusable and while the perpetrators are certainly beneath contempt they are in no way above the law.

"Poisoning of course poses serious animal welfare risks, but these offences also damage Scotland's tourism industry our economy and can even tarnish the reputations of those working in our countryside within the law.

"The fact this eagle was tagged and the Scottish public were actively engaged in its progress, only makes this case all the more galling. The loss of this magnificent animal is a real blow to Scotland, particularly as we are renowned world-wide for our incredible wildlife."
7:26 Tue 18 Aug 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Humming bird heard me coming so she tilted her head BETTY CANADA

Male cardinal in winter BETTY CANADA

Ruby throated humming bird at the feeder BETTY CANADA

Female Ruby Throated Humming bird at the feeder BETTY CANADA

Winter from our bedroom window BETTY CANADA

I put the Swan back on the Lake this morning. He seemed pleased to see the two Pens and hasn't left them all day. He has eaten bread that I fed the Swans this afternoon. At the moment he doesn't seem to be having trouble eating, but there is a chance that his oesophagus. may narrow with the scarring and stop him from eating.

The person at the location of the new webcam has got the flu and is not able to fit the camera until next week. It will be worth the wait.
6:56 Mon 17 Aug 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Photographs 1 to 4
WE JUST SPENT A FEW DAYS IN THE SOUTH EAST THESE WERE TAKEN AT CHARTWELL, WINSTON CHURCHILL'S FAMILY HOME IN KENT. Lynne.

5. To go with article below, sent in by Elsie.

As long as the Black Swan is as he is today I will put him back on the Lake at about 10am in the Morning. He has had the full course of antibiotics, but he still has a lump in his neck. It is just a case now of seeing how he gets on.

Pest expert brought in to deal with peacocks

8:43am Monday 17th August 2009

comment Comments (0) Have your say
By Sally Clifford


Fire HQ staff have given a peacock problem a happy outcome.

When the pair of stray male peacocks arrived in the grounds of the West Yorkshire Fire Service headquarters in Birkenshaw, Bradford, two months ago staff didnt bat an eye.

Their new-found feathered friends settled in well, peering through windows and strutting around the car park with their colourful plumage.

But unfortunately the younger peacock developed a cyst on his eye.

The RSPCA collected him and following his operation he has since been re-homed on a farm.

Ashley, the larger peacock, named after Coronation Street butcher Ashley Peacock, remained in the grounds. But after spotting his reflection in the shiny bodywork of cars parked around the site he began to attack, thinking it was another peacock invading his territory.

A West Yorkshire Fire Service spokeswoman said the decision was therefore made to re-home him to more suitable surroundings. They tried to catch him but Ashley proved quite elusive and flew away on a few occasions to avoid capture, she said.

Eventually bird expert Neil West-wood was drafted in.

Neil said it was one of the most unusual assignments he has had since buying into the NBC (Native Bird Control) franchise. He is one of 31 area managers throughout the country, looking after Bradford, Leeds, Halifax, Harrogate and York.

It took five days to get him, said Neil. They are very difficult to get hold of they are big birds and they are quite fast. They have big legs and they can run!

Ashley is now settling into his new life at Castle Howard near York.
7:27 Sun 16 Aug 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Here are a four more pics of flamborough and whitby taken by my daughter sue. N Notts

Looks like Arthur is arising from the waves to save us - might be a bit late! Peter.
Gloucester

The Swan is about the same as yesterday. Tomorrow is the last full day that we intend to keep him in the stable as the last day of the antibiotic course ends on Tuesday. As soon as the last injection is given Tuesday morning I will return him to the Lake. There is still a lump in his neck caused by the hook and we have got to hope that it is not going to be a serious problem. As much as I want to believe it will not be a problem, I will not stop believing that he is going to survive for some weeks. Just a case of waiting and seeing.

The more I look at the other two Black Swans the more I am convinced that they are Pens. Although they are together a lot of the time now that the Cob is not on the Lake, very often when I go to give them a feed they are at either end of the Lake. When the Cob was on the Lake he was always pairing off with what I believe is a Pen.

Since we made the Lake until this year we have never had the Wildlife I had expected on it. This year there has been a lot more Ducks, Moorhens and Coots. One Moorhen is feeding with the Swans, the first time ever. Through the Winter I expect the Swans being on the Lake will encourage more Wildlife to it.

What I have got to sort out is how to make sure the Geese return next year. The Swans wont want any intruders now that they are establishing themselves on the Lake. I have a couple of ideas they will need looking in to.

As you have noticed Google has stopped the advertising on the website. The reason being that they believe it to be a serious risk to their advertisers. I appealed against their decision, but the appeal was not allowed.

Contents in the appeal decision makes me believe that the initial reason for the stopping us taking advertisement was because of a complaint. It could well be that the complaint was made by a person known to me. If I am correct, it is a pity that there are people like it.

7:22 Sat 15 Aug 09
Saturday is very busy with the Holiday change overs, so just a quick update on the Swan. He is a lot more alert than yesterday. He is spending a lot of time in the paddling pool and makes noises as if he is pleased when we put his feed into the pool that he is eating all that we are giving him.
6:52 Fri 14 Aug 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Getting short of photographs.

I think I forgot to approve last night Diary, so it is on tonight.

Injured Swan.

New arrivals at Denbury.

Tryfan not yet fully grown. BETTY CANADA

The Eden Project, Cornwall
Janice of Leeds

Eden Project - easiest cows to keep - never need milking! Janice of Leeds

As you will see on the Photo Page we got a child's paddling pool for the Swan to swim in. I have never seen a Swan that was very mobile or over happy on dry land. Every time we went to make sure that the Swan was alright he was in a corner of the stable looking very rejected and unhappy, so I went out this morning and purchased the pool in the hope that it may make a difference. And did it work, as soon as I lifted him in he made a low whistle. For sure it was a whistle in pleasure. I put some of his feed that he had not touched all day into the pool and he ate it immediately, so the pool looks to be a success.

Today the Swan is looking no different that it did yesterday. I do believe for as well as he looks it is very likely that he will not make it. On my way to collect the pool I went to the Veterinaries to get injectable Baytril antibiotic. There is a lot less stress giving an injection than to give the medication orally by forcing the Swan beak open. The swelling lump where the hook was in his gullet has got a little smaller, although most of his neck seems to have thickened, that could well be secondary swelling after having the endoscope down the oesophagus. I asked the Veterinary for an anti inflammatory injection in the hope that will bring the swelling down. We still need to give the oral suspension three times a day for the healing of the damage that the hook did. That finishes tomorrow. The antibiotic needs to be given for another four days so the Swan has to be confined in the stable until Tuesday. We need to hope for a happy outcome.

The other photograph that I put on tonight is of Silkies that are new additions at the Farm.

6:49 Thu 13 Aug 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Downy woodpecker in our garden (male) female the same but no red on head BETTY CANADA

Flicker in our garden just passing through (only stays a couple of days in the spring) BETTY CANADA

Chippie with his mouth pouches partly full BETTY CANADA

Chipmunk hand-fed on our patio BETTY CANADA

Looks like rain but was flowing away from camera and then toward it, insects? Betty Canada

The Swan is looking no worse or better than it did yesterday. The swelling may have gone done a little although the whole of the neck seems to be slightly thicker. That may be my imagination trying to find what is not there. The medication that it is having are both oral and the Swan protests even before we try to give it. I keep saying it. I believe that it is a Cob and that the other two are Pens. I hope that I am correct as I put my name to another Cob before the Swan swallowed the hook.

The antibiotic that he get once daily is a product called Baytril, probably the best that you could get, so if any thing is going to stop any infection this will. The other medication is Antepsin Suspension. This is a healing product for the damage that the hook did to the oesophagus it is given three times a day. In humans one of its uses is to treat ulcers.

We have taken advice from a sanctuary about feeding the Swan. We are giving bread, corn and fresh grass cuttings in water. He seems to be eating it. We will try in a day or two to let it graze on one of the Lawns around the Cottages. Unfortunately there is nothing m,ore we can do other than wait and see.

7:02 Wed 12 Aug 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Shires which my friend had to send to the horse trust because of ill health. Mary.

Me and my favourite Rosie having a cuddle. Mary.

Rosie again -aka as miss big bum because the next biggest is on an elephant. Mary.

Me and duchess - her party piece taking a polo mint from between your lips any children watching you must NOT do this. Mary.

TRYFAN the baby. Mary.

Rosie if there is any mud or muck she would find it. Mary.

One of the Black Swans has needed an operation to remove a fishing hooks from its throat. Last Thursday it swallowed the hook after it tried to eat the bait as it was cast into the Lake. To be honest I am not best pleased with any part of the incident. The person fishing wasn't that experienced. His Father asked if I would loan them a Fishing Rod. I did, If I hadn't it would not have happened. The next mistake was that when the Swan got hooked they cut the fishing line leaving yards of line hanging from the Swans beak that got tangled in dense trees near to the Kingfisher branch. We eventually managed to release and capture the Swan.

As I had never experienced a hook in a Swans throat I phoned my Veterinary for advice. The advice I got was wrong and what I was told that there was a good chance that the hook would dislodge and find its way out. It would also be unlikely that an operation to remove the hook would be successful. So we cut the line tight into the beak so that there was no line hanging from the Swan.

On Monday evening one of this weeks Holiday Guest told me that a Swan had a large swelling on its neck. It was to late to try to catch it, so we left it to yesterday morning. That was easier said than done. I must have rowed our dingy up and down the Lake over half a dozen times before we managed to capture it, and that was only because the Swan was worn out and we had the help of our Guests.

The swelling was large and it was obvious that the Swan needed urgent treatment. I took advice from an Animal Sanctuary and used their Veterinaries who's advice would have been completely different from that of my own. The hooks could have been removed under an anesthetic by Endoscopy as soon as possible after the hook was swallowed, for the operation to have a chance of success. If not there would be infection caused by the Lake water and food that the Swan had eaten. There was also a chance of the injury turning into an abscess.

The operation to remove the hook was carried out successfully yesterday. There is a lot of infection that will need strong antibiotics. The Swan is home and will need to be confined for a few days so that we can treat it with the antibiotics. There is no guarantee that the infection will get better. The biggest danger is that the scar tissue may cause the Swans throat to close. We have medication to try to stop that happening, but it cant be guaranteed to stop it. it is a case of waiting to see the outcome.
5:02 Tue 11 Aug 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Pig photo to go with Elsie's press cutting.

A few pics my daughter took of the sunrise at flamborough head this week. Sue n notts lol

Been very busy, so really have not had a lot of time to do a Diary.

Sent in by Elsie.

Pig sick Gingers name is mud after jewel theft

8:11am Tuesday 11th August 2009
Photograph of the Author Exclusive By Joe Willis


A PIG has been getting dirty looks after it swallowed a diamond from a 1,000 ring.

Ginger, the Kune Kune pig, clamped his jaws around the jewel after Anne Moon put her hand into his pen at Easingwold Maize Maze, near York.

When Mrs Moon, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, pulled away, the diamond had gone.

Farmer Paul Caygill, who owns the North Yorkshire visitor attraction, has now been given the task of sifting through the pigs dung to find the gem.

Mrs Moon said: Ive never had such close contact with a pig before so I put my hand out flat to let it have a sniff.

It just clamped its teeth on the ring and wouldnt let go.

When I did pull my hand free, the ring was covered in dirt.

I gave it a wipe and the diamond was gone I couldnt believe it.

The pen was searched in case the pig had spat out the diamond, but nothing was found.

Mrs Moon said: If the pig wasnt so dirty I think we would have put him in the back of the car and taken him home.

Quite a crowd gathered round after it happened. One woman said she would be a witness if the insurance company thought I was telling porkies.

Mrs Moon was visiting the attraction with her grandchildren.

The ring is estimated to be worth between 1,000 and 1,500. It was bought for her as a present about 30 years ago by her husband.

It had a lot of sentimental value, Mrs Moon said.

Since the incident on Saturday, Mr Caygill has carried out several tentative searches of the pigs poo but has so far drawn a blank.

The farmer said: The woman came up to me and said you wont believe this, but one of your pigs has swallowed a diamond from my ring.

She showed me the ring and it had diamonds round the edge, but the big one in the middle was missing she was a bit upset.

Mr Caygill said the pigs do not bite and he was surprised Ginger had grabbed the ring.
6:31 Sun 09 Aug 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Baltimore Oriole in our garden BETTY CANADA

Female ruby throated humming bird in our garden (female doesn't have the red throat} BETTY CANADA

Red squirrel on our deck BETTY CANADA

?What squirrel on our fence BETTY CANADA

Chickadee in our garden, very small like a bluetit BETTY CANADA

We managed to make hay from the 5 acres that we cut on Wednesday. We got 31 large round bales from the Field. I didn't think that we were going to make any after have rain on Thursday. We only cut the grass on listening to the forecast on the Wednesday. On the Wednesday evening forecast and even the local forecast on Thursday promised it was going to be dry and sunny until late this afternoon. The Wednesday forecast showed a weather front the the middle of the country, no where near the Southwest. Obviously the Met Office got it wrong for on Thursday it rain on the Farm. In Weston Super Mare it bucketed down. It beggars belief that they cant see rain clouds. You must have seen that the Met Office 1,700 employees, yes 1,700 and they still cant get it right, are going to get a share in a 1000000 bonus, about 650 each for getting the forecasting correct. Where did they manage to do that. And it is our money that they are getting. Unbelievable. As you can imagine did I scream. Poor Met Office complaints Girl her ears must of ached. Any way I managed to get the head mans name. For any one who is interested it is John Hurst. He will be getting a letter, not that it is worth bothering with previous complaints have been answered every time with the same letter as below.

And the best part was that the Girl at the Met Office told me was that I can, you as well can pay for a more personnel service. I could not believe what I was hearing. Is it pay and they tell you the truth, or maybe pay to give them their bonuses. I really cant see what difference there is in paying for a personnel forecast can make. Maybe I am missing some thing. Am I?

Copy of the email the Met Office send out. It is the same every time. What a load of crap.

Dear Sir / Madam

Thank you for your feedback about the forecast. I can confirm that the Met Office supplies the BBC with the weather forecast information that is displayed on their web site.

We are sorry if you have seen a Met Office forecast you felt was misleading. Met Office forecasters do work hard to ensure our forecasts are as accurate and consistent as possible. Although the computer forecast models are vastly improved compared with even a few years ago, there may be small errors which are magnified over time, for example the timing or position of any low pressure area or weather front passing which can make quite a difference to the forecast for a particular locality. We strive for the most accurate forecast possible but we acknowledge there may still be occasions when we do not get the local detail absolutely correct.

We are taking active steps to further improve our forecasts which reduce any forecast errors in the future. Further developments are already planned, including substantial investment in additional supercomputing power to harness the latest science to provide more accurate, detailed and localised forecasts.

I have already forwarded your comments to forecasters for their information and reference. In addition, all customer comments are seen by senior managers in the Met Office and others who will influence development and improvement of our forecasts and other services we provide. It is extremely useful to know how forecasts are perceived by those they are intended to benefit. We will use your comments as part of our commitment to continually improve our forecasts and how we communicate them.

Thank you once again for your valuable feedback, which will help us improve our services in the future, and for taking the time to contact the Met Office.

Yours sincerely

Martin Kidds Customer Feedback Manager

Met Office FitzRoy Road Exeter Devon EX1 3PB United Kingdom
6:16 Sat 08 Aug 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Just a few pics I took while at Dad's at the weekend

Painted Lady butterfly. Jill, Epping

Bumble bee on flower. Jill, Epping

Bee and hoverfly(?) Jill, Epping

Blue delphinium. Jill, Epping

Monarch Butterfly caterpillar on a milkweed plant. Penny, Chicago Chicago Chicago
7:31 Fri 07 Aug 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Some pictures from Minnesota .

A beaver (the dark head) on Lake Itasca -the headwaters of the Mississippi River . Penny

Yellow spatterdock, a variety of water lily, also called cow lily, on Lake Itasca . Penny

Moonrise over Lake Miltona . Penny

Beaver Lodge . Penny

Largest Minnesota White Pineit had a railing around it and I leaned back and looked up to shoot the picture . Penny, Chicago Chicago Chicago

Sent in by Elsie.

A VALUABLE show horse has been slashed in a knife attack described as 'vicious and senseless'.

Lucas, an eight-year-old grey Hanoverian gelding, was attacked in a field near Stanley, County Durham, on Monday.

He sustained a large slash wound from his right shoulder down his whole right side to his hind quarter, which penetrated skin and muscle and required immediate attention from a vet.

Acting Sergeant Chris Little said the injury appeared to have been caused by a sharp implement, possibly a hunting knife.

"This was a vicious, deliberate, senseless attack on a defenceless animal.

"I have never seen anything like it and it is impossible to guess what the attacker's motive could be."

Lucas' owner is said to be distraught.

The incident happened in a field near the Harperley crossroads, Kyo Haugh Road, between 8.30am and 5.30pm.

Anyone with information should call Durham Police on 0345-60-60-365.

The chance of catching who ever slashed the Horse is so small that any good in publishing the above article is far out weighed by giving ideas to others who are inclined to do the same to animals out of boredom. I cant think of the name of the film, but when ever it is shown there is an increase in Horses being slashed.

It is not all Children who do this sort of things to animals. As I have told before Lady was slashed by an oldish man. But children soon bore of long summer holidays and get up to all kinds of mischief and ideas.
9:43 Thu 06 Aug 09
Sorry no Diary or Photo Page as I have just finished the Farm work.
7:43 Wed 05 Aug 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

A tree I came across in Cornwall.

Some coastal rock formations in North Cornwall.

Looks like Arthur is arising from the waves to save us - might be a bit late!

Lions at Cotswold Park.

Raglan Castle.

We have cut 5 acres of grass today in the hope that we may have 5 days of dry weather to make some hay. I am not holding my breath that the Met Office forecast for the next 4 to 5 days is going to be right, they haven't managed it in July other than 2 or 3 days. The other were from one day to the next with them changing their guesses in the hope that we may not notice that they have been changed.

It is not any persons fault for the rain we have had over the past month, but someone should have to answer for the wrong forecasting. We could have made hay in June but we held it off because of the barbeque weather we were promised. This is the latest that we have tried to make hay in all the time we have been at Denbury. It is not going to be that good even if the weather stays fine. All of the seed has dropped and a lot of the grass went over its best weeks back. New grass is even growing through the old. It is also the first time that we have not cut all of our grass to make hay. We have only cut 5 acres knowing that there is a good chance the weather forecast is going to be wrong. Not a good way to have to work to bring in our crop.

Most of the cereal farmers have not been able to combine their barley because of the weather. The barley should have been harvested at least two weeks ago. Some of the seed would have dropped meaning less barley and higher prices. Lets hope we get a good spell of dry and warm weather.

6:55 Tue 04 Aug 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Bosherton South Wales . Wonderful walks, views and wildlife if you ever get the chance to visit. Jacqui

Views of Broadhaven beach. This is a real surprise to find once you have walked around the lakes at Bosherton. Jacqui

I must try to find the time to get the Buzzards hunting in the Valley on the webcam. To be honest I haven't looked this year to see where they were hunting. It was only this afternoon when I gave a ride to a young Lad that I realised that they were hunting the Valley. There were five above the edge of the Wood on the right hand side. I cant imagine that the five were part of the same family. I have rarely seen more than one youngster with the parents. Once I have seen two, but never three.

In the years we have been at Denbury up to two ago the Buzzards would nest in the Woods at the far end of the Valley. In the months of July and August I would often sit and watch the parent birds hovering above and hunting from one end of the Valley to the other for rabbits for the youngster's. Two years ago the Buzzards nested in the Woods quite close to the Farm House. Then we would only see them hovering above. With them hunting the Valley they may have started to nest in there old areas again.

I spoke to the person who will be installing the new webcam camera in the secret location yesterday. He hopes to be able to get it going next week.
6:24 Mon 03 Aug 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

One I took at Dungeness, just before an amazing sunset. Jill

Also a passionflower in my friernd's garden. Jill

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

A beautiful field of poppies. Jill

This osprey in Maine/USA seems to be growing a garden in her nest! Marie/NJ

Swans were local to me. Peter.

Elsie sent this letter in. A lot of those killed are to young to be there. 18 year olds who have never seen life let alone be involved in a war.

He was killed on 2 June 2009. This is the letter he wrote to be delivered to his family if he died:

Hello its me, this is gonna be hard for you to read but I write this knowing every time you thinks shits got to much for you to handle (so don't cry on it MUM!!) you can read this and hopefully it will help you all get through.

For a start SHIT I got hit!! Now Iv got that out the way I can say the things Iv hopefully made clear, or if I havent this should clear it all up for me. My hole life you'v all been there for me through thick and thin bit like a wedding through good and bad. Without you I believe I wouldn't have made it as far as I have. I died doing what I was born to do I was happy and felt great about myself although the army was sadly the ending of me it was also the making of me so please don't feel any hate toward it. One thing I no I never made clear to you all was I make jokes about my life starting in the Army. That's wrong VERY wrong my life began a LONG time before that (Obviously) but you get what I mean. All the times Iv tried to neglect the family get angry when you try teach me right from wrong wot I mean to say is I only realised that you were trying to help when I joined the army and without YOUR help I would have never had the BALLS, the GRIT and the damn right determination to crack on and do it. If I could have a wish in life it would to be able to say Iv gone and done things many would never try to do. And going to Afghan has fulfilled my dream ie my goal. Yes I am young wich as a parent must brake you heart but you must all somehow find the strength that I found to do something no matter how big the challenge. As Im writing this letter I can see you all crying and mornin my death but if I could have one wish in an "after life" it would be to stop your crying and continueing your dreams (as I did) because if I were watching only that would brake my heart. So dry your tears and put on a brave face for the rest of your friends and family who need you.
I want each and everyone of you to forfill a dream and at the end of it look at what you have done (completed) and feel the accomplishment and achievement I did only then will you understand how I felt when I passed away.

[To his brothers:] You are both amazing men and will continue to be throughout your lives you both deserve to be happy and fofill all of your dreams.

Dad my idol, my friend, my best friend, my teacher, my coach, everything I ever succeeded in my life I owe to you and maybe a little bit of me! You are a great man and the perfect role model and the past two years of being in the army I noticed that and me and you have been on the best level we have ever been. I thank you for nothing because I no all you have given to me is not there to be thanked for its there because you did it cause you love me and that is my most proudest thing I could ever say.

Mum, where do I start with you!! For a start your perfect, your smell, your hugs, the way your life was dedicated to us boys and especially the way you cared each and every step us boys took. I love you, you were the reason I made it as far as I did you were the reason I was loved more than any child I no and that made me feel special.

Your all such great individuals and I hope somehow this letter will help you get through this shit time!! Just remember do NOT mourn my death as hard as this will seem, celebrate a great life that has had its ups and downs. I love you all more than you would ever no and in your own individual ways helped me get through it all. I wish you all the best with your dreams.
Remember chin up head down. With love Cyrus xxxx

Brian says:This letter was read out by this soldier's mother on Radio 2 on the Jeremy Vine show. (Yes it was edited) It really is heartbreaking.
7:28 Sat 01 Aug 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Thank you all those who have sent in donations, and those who are checking the adds. Today some clicks are giving us 66p

Mr Farmer, I promised Elsie these pictures of Devon as she said in the forum she'd probably never get there again and she loved the area.So I said I would try to bring some of Devon to her.

Boats in Dartmouth. Janice of Leeds

South Devon railway in action. Janice of Leeds

The boatyard at Greenway, from the river. Janice of Leeds

Another family like Denbury's! Janice of Leeds

This sheep is on Dartmoor, despite miles of grass it decided to climb a wall and nibble the tufts growing between the stones! Janice of Leeds

As we were finishing off feeding the Horses last evening we heard the Geese honking as they flew towards the Farm, when they flew over the stables on the way to the Lake we could see that they were our Geese and Goslings. They didn't stay long on the Lake. It may well have been that the Geese were concerned for the Goslings on seeing the Swans that they decided to fly off. Although the Swan didn't cause them any threat. In fact I thought that the Geese may well have threatened the Cygnets, but they all kept their distance from each other. The Geese even went and investigated the Island, I thought that they may well be going to settle on the Lake for a while, but it wasn't to be.

I went to the Lake to feed both the Cygnets and Geese some bread. The Gosling came quite close for the bread but the Geese stayed well back. The Gosling obviously hadn't forgotten, but they all managed to get some of the bread. It is surprising just how much bigger the Swans are compared to the size of the Geese.

It looks as if only four of the Gosling have survived. As you know we found the carcass of one in the Stream only last week that the Otter must have killed. Where the other one has gone we will never know. There were only three Gosling on the Lake when the left just over two weeks ago. So they managed to find one of the missing two. It could be that the missing one has survived. Its better to believe it has.

Being late when they arrived I thought that the Geese may have stayed the night, but their honking as they flew away told that they had left. I was pleased to see them.
6:34 Fri 31 Jul 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

I see that Claire was asking about Thornton - well here are a few photos!

Taking a break, outside the Farmhouse; Julia

The reason he knocks on the cottage doors; Julia

The Sheep that thinks it's a Dog - taking a walk in Denbury Woods with us, Tass and Ky. Julia

Inspired by Peter's picture of starlings on the wires I enclose. Jill, Epping

Owl on the jump at the Badger feeding place. Marie
8:10 Thu 30 Jul 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Raccoon in the same gardens. - Rosie's Mum

Chipmunk in the gardens - Rosie's Mum
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Another cardinal - Rosie's Mum

Flowers in the gardens - Rosie's Mum

Another chipmunk. - Rosie's Mum

I sent the new camera to Peter at Indian River Bay, Delaware on Tuesday. Just 48 hours later it was delivered. It has taken longer for letters to be delivered from one side of Taunton to the other. I have labeled all of the connection where Peter need to put them. As long as he takes notice there is no reason why the camera should not be up and running very shortly.

The Swans have settled in very well. One of this weeks Holiday Guest has been giving them bread and they have soon got use to it. As soon as any one enters the Lake area they greet them in the hope of a little food. By the way that the Swans are acting I reckon that there are two Cobs and a Pen. (I am not clever I checked the names on Google) If I am correct one of the Cobs will need to go. If two are Pens I will try to keep a trio. Not to sure if that is possible, I will try to find out. Cob and Pen wouldn't be the nicest of word like the Chicken names.

I thought for a while that the Swans now that they are being friendly were going to make themselves a nuisance with those fishing as they were hanging round them. Today it looks as if it was a one off as they seem to be staying away from any one with a fishing rod in their hand.

6:45 Wed 29 Jul 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Satara Dam at Sunset Kruger National Park

Spotted Eagle Owl we spotted on a night drive several years ago, just sat in the tree staring at us. Claire - Devon

This is a picture taken at Millennium Park , Chicago Illinois , where they have a garden with native Illinois prairie plants, and the buildings on Michigan Avenue in the background. The pedestrian bridge that is visible goes from the Park to the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute. Penny, Chicago Chicago Chicago.

Cardinal in Edwards Gardens - Rosie's Mum

Old graveyard in Edwards Gardens now fenced off. This is a private graveyard and family still visit the graves. The family gave the land to the city and is a very popular park. - Rosie's Mum

A couple of you have asked about Thornton. Just recently he has been staying in off a night. I think it may well be something to do with the weather we have been having. He went out early this morning knocking on the Cottages doors in the hope that he will get treats. He normally does. Thornton knocking on the doors does at times give us a problem. This afternoon I went to tell one of our Holiday Guests what time they should go the the Badger hide. I needed to knock a few times. When the door was eventually open our Guest hadn't open the door as they believed it was Thornton.

We have repaired the Horse Field fence trying to keep the Sheep out. The Sheep worked out how to get in to the Field. As clever as Thornton is, he hasn't. That may also be a reason for him coming in the Farm House of a night. He was in early this afternoon, probably as it was raining very hard. He doesn't need to knock on the Farm House Kitchen door as he reaches up the door handle and pushes the door open.

Nearly finished getting the secret camera ready to send to ???????. This webcam only needs to be a static camera with a very wide lens. The housing it needs to be in also has to be heated. I am hoping to sent it before the end of the week to the location.
7:54 Tue 28 Jul 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Keep checking the adds. It does help.

On a walk on the common this afternoon, plenty of insects buzzing about including -

Gatekeeper butterfly - aka Hedge Brown. Jill, Epping

Comma butterfly. Jill, Epping

Painted Lady butterfly. Jill, Epping

Bee on bramble flowers. Jill, Epping

Small cricket. Jill, Epping

Haven't really got a lot to tell for today. I had hoped a few of you may have had a few different regional Chicken words. Although the Forum has been very quite.

I did send the new camera to Peter in Indian River Bay Delaware today, so that next year we can get a really good Osprey Nest webcam from the USA. I have sent a pan, tilt and 18x zoom camera. As the nest is lower than the top of Peters house and only at the most a 150 feet the camera will look right into every part of the nest. Peter tells me that there are a lot of other wildlife in the vicinity. Including the Bold and Brown Eagles. We hope to have the new camera working by September.

And just to tease. When I finish the Diary I will be putting together the camera for the new webcam that I am having to keep secret.

I have been trying to get the secret webcam going for a while and have sent a few emails to possible people in the location. I have now been contacted by another person about the secret webcam in a slightly different location. There is also in the location a White Tailed Eagle that does at times nest.


6:53 Mon 27 Jul 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

A few pics, for you, I came across in my Photos.

The Sloth was at a Wildlife Park near Burford, Oxon. Peter

Bit early for the bird's yet, won't be long though. Peter

Swans were local to me. Peter

The Black Silkie that was on the Photo Page last night is a big hit with our Holiday Guests. She looks as someone said on the Forum to have attitude. She tries very hard to be friends with the other Chickens but unfortunately for her it is all to do with the pecking order and she is bottom and gets bullied. As she is on her own since the White Silkie was taken by the Owl, she tries too mix with the other Chicken but they chase her off. It has made her quite friendly quickly with the Holiday Guests as she hangs around with the Chickens outside the Cottage doors hoping for a crumb. Being small and cute as someone said last week she tend to be given extra crumbs which keeps her around the Cottages for longer.

We have two Silkie Chicks a Gold and a White that when they are older will be able to be housed with her. There are also over 30 eggs in the incubator waiting to hatch. There is a good selection of different colours. White, Gold, Black and Blue and the intention is to breed them next year once they reach egg laying.

We find lots of the word associated with Chickens not to be very nice. Poultry, Fowl, Pullets, Poults and even Chicken itself is not that nice. We tend not to use the words other than Chicken. There must be a few more that you know. Maybe regional names.
6:00 Sun 26 Jul 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Need more photographs and please keep watching the adds.

A late photograph of our Black Silkie a little bit wet as you can see by her spiky hair. We hope that the Owl doesn't eat her. Taken by year 8 year old Sam (one of this week Holiday Guests)

After the discussion about puffins earlier this week I thought I'd send in a couple from Skomer this year. Jill.

Does anyone know the name of this" pretty "! rockery shrub? It has taken me a few years to realize it is responsible for a vile smell, I used to think something had died in the area! It attracts horrible big flies.Cant remember where I bought it.Rose W'canton

The Swallows nest was empty this morning. We haven't seen any Magpies near the Barn where the nest is. I can only think that it is either a Rat or more than likely the Tawney Owl that had the Silkie a week back. It was the same barn that the Dove chicks were on the webcam and they have also been taken. As have the eggs from another Swallows nest that I had intended to show once the Swallow chicks had fledged.

We have never had a problem with Owls raiding nests before, but we have never had an Owl take a Chicken either, be it that the Silkie was a youngster and only half of the size of our Chickens. We have been leaving the Swallow webcam on most nights, it was on last night so it is possible someone may have been watching when the Swallow Chicks were taken.

I have been looking for another Swallows nest to put on the webcams, as of yet I cant find one. It is still not to late for the Swallows to nest again this year. I should think that the Swallows that have lost their brood will try again. I don't know If they will use the same Barn. I should think one pair will.
6:01 Sat 25 Jul 09
I posted a Diary a short while ago telling that the Black Swans had flown away. I left a few messages telling people off as they are pinioned. A few minutes ago one of today's Holiday Guest who I had told came and told me that he had seen one of the Swans in the reeds of the Lake. On going to look they were all tucked into the reeds very close to the bank of the Lake, if they were not pointed out to me I would not have seen them. The way that they have been keeping out of the way, I thought that they would have moved from the bank even when hiding in the reeds when I was very close to where they were. I have had to make a few apologises for being an idiot.
6:31 Fri 24 Jul 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

This place is called "Rest and be Thankful in Scotland - Rosie's Mum in Toronto

More from Banksy.

This one was accredited to "Local Artist and Damien Hirst" Damien Hirst is also a local artist! Julia

There has been a bi-plane in the main hall at the museum for about as long as I can remember - Banksy added an escapee from Guantanamo Bay! Julia

This burnt out ice cream van doubled up as the enquiries office! Julia

This is my absolute favourite - the Lion got the Tamer! Ha! Julia

We let the Cygnets onto the Lake this morning. They are keeping out of peoples way who are going to the Lake and are spending all of the time at the far end to where we had released them. Where they were at Cricket, they would not have had a lot of contact with people, so it is going to take them a while to get use to our Holiday Guests and those fishing on the Lake. I would expect them to soon to get use to people and hopefully they will become friendly.

Last night we left them in a stable as it was to late to release them. When we collected them they were in large bags with just their heads and necks visible. They were please to be out of the bags but I thought that I may have had a bit of trouble catching them this morning. They all made threatening hisses when I was catching them, but they were less aggressive than I imagined they would be.

I am hoping that they will eventually use the island to settle at night. I went there this morning in the rowing boat, before we released the Cygnets to cut the grass, weeds and bull-rushes to make an area for them to use, it will make them a lot safer if they do use it. I should hope that until they get use to their new home they might stay on the water at night. I haven't seen them on the banks of the Lake yet, that shows they are not confident of their new surroundings. They are going close to the bank where the Geese would lay at times. The water is quite shallow there, so the Cygnets are able to stand in the water.
5:55 Thu 23 Jul 09
Sorry only just got back from collecting the Black Swan and there is still at lot of work to finish, so there will be no Diary or Photo page tonight.

We had hope to have collected them this morning, but unfortunately they had other ideas. As it is a bit late they are being kept in a stable over night and will be let out on the Lake in the morning at around 10.am in the morning. We were concerned that they would not settle at this time of the evening. Letting them out in the morning will give them time to settle through the day light before night full.
6:37 Wed 22 Jul 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Today Chris and I took my Stepson to the Bristol Museum where there is an exhibition by Banksy, the infamous Bristol Graffiti Artist.
It was incredible - and FREE!! We queued for nearly an hour to get in - and it was quite surprising to see people in the queue whom you'd NEVER expect to see there!!

An artistic Monkey - it blinked as it looked at the canvas;

Beautiful Statue - out on the town with a fag and a drink!;

Princess Bunny putting on make-up;

Someone moved the painting.....so the water ran out!!;

This is one of my favourites - taking a break!;

Some of the photos are a little blurred, this is because, although photography was allowed, flash photography wasn't.
It really was a great exhibition, so clever and original!

Bristol is not far from the Farm, if only I had the time I would go. Keep checking the adds. And we could do with some more photographs.

The injured Goose seems to have made a full recovery. She is no longer having antibiotics injections and the pillow case that she has been wearing to stop her from pecking at the injury and her stitches has now been taken off. When it was taken off she ran away flapping her wings and honking as if in excitement. The injury looks as if it has healed extremely well and there seems to be no reason why she should have any problems.

One of the two Silkies that we got last week has been taken. We believe by a Tawney Owl. When we get new Chicken we keep them shut in a small house for a few days next to our other Chickens so that they become aware of the surroundings and noises. It works very well. On letting them out they will usually peck about very close to their house and more often than not jump up into it when they go in for the night. We let them both out on Sunday and they did what they normally do, both staying close to each other. At about 8.30pm when it was time to shut up the Chicken houses the White Silkie was missing. We hoped that she had wandered off a little further, and had settled down away for the night. We looked around for over an hour without finding her. We had hoped that she would be about the next morning but there was no sign of her. Later in the day I found what was probably the remains of some of her feathers. It may have been a Fox or Sparrow Hawk that had taken her. I doubt the Fox as he would have caused a lot of commotion with the other Chickens and Geese.
Although the Doves are sometime taken by a Sparrow Hawk there hasn't been any sightings of one recently.

The reason we believe it was an Owl is that one has been in a tree closest to the Farm House that is very near to where the Chickens are kept. Last night just before it was completely dark I had to go and check on the Lake and the Owl nearly hit my head as it came from the direction of the Chicken houses to the tree. Its a fair assumption that it was the Owl.
6:44 Tue 21 Jul 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Freshwater East is so different from Freshwater West. Much more sheltered and much safer for children to swim. Jacqui

Freshwater West, South Wales . My boys enjoyed their swim. Jacqui

We have large Fish in the Lakes at Denbury. Last year a Carp was caught weighing 22lb in the Lake and a larger fish was seen in the Pond. We didn't put any Fish in the Pond, the fry over the years have got in there through the overflow pipe from the Lake that keeps the Pond full. There are now a lot of large Fish in the Pond. Two days ago one of our fishing Holiday Guest saw a lot of large Fish just under the surface of the water.

Over the past two weeks three of those fishing the Lake have told me that they have had their fishing lines broken by something very big. One of them who had the Kingfisher land on his rod was broken a few times, and he was using a 15lb fishing line, so what ever it is is very large and strong.

Another of our guests caught a very large Fish last week. I was there when he hooked it. The Fish was so strong that he needed to hand his rod to another guest as his arm were aching. He had trouble getting to land it and the Fish managed to get into the reeds. It was decided to use the boat to get the Fish in the landing net. Just as he got to where the Fish was in the reeds it got off of the hook. We think that it was the same Fish, or what ever it is that is breaking the lines. One of this weeks guests without me mentioning it also had his line broken. He is going to fish on an 18lb line.

We need to know what is breaking the fishing lines in case it is a predator. Two predator breeds of Fish that could cause the problem are a pike or a Catfish. Both we would not want in the Lake for they can grow very large and will eat a lot of our Fish. We have never put any Pike or Carp into the Lakes, although it is possible that some person with the same problem did. It could also be a large Eel. Quite a few Eels have been caught in the Lake. Some years ago when I cleared the sediment from a small pond in the Farm Yard we found some very large Eels. I wont be concerned if it is an Eel that is breaking the lines as they do a good cleaning job.

I don't ever allow the use of keep nets for those fishing at Denbury, but I have put one close to the Lake so that if what ever it is causing the problem is caught we can move it away if it is a predator, Although it may well be a very large Carp.
7:30 Mon 20 Jul 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Kingfisher that landed on one of our guests fishing rod at Denbury last week. It happened with another of our guests today.

Cardinal in Edwards Gardens - Rosie's Mum

Niagara Falls = Rosie's Mum

Tunnel which goes underground to the edge of the Falls - Rosie's Mum

Albino Peacock - Rosie's Mum

Thank you all those checking the adds.

I am not a fisherman, as much because I don't particularly enjoy it and I don't like to think of the Fish being caught with a hook in its mouth. That by the way it is the biggest participation sport in this country. It is second to people coming on Holiday at Denbury for the Wildlife, so we are fortunate to be able to offer fishing Holidays at Denbury. Most of all those Fishing here seem to have been wildlife enthusiasts.

We made the Lake and Large Pond over ten years ago to encourage the Wildlife. For that it has been very successful. Stocking the Lakes with Fish was secondary. We only spent a very small amount of money on the stocking the Lakes, mostly very small Fish. There seemed to be very little point in having a Lake with no Fish. Fish were needed for the Kingfisher and Grebes that now visit our waters.

The intention when we put the Lake and Pond in was for them to be filled by the Stream that runs by the side of the Lake, but after they were dug out the holes filled within ten days from underground springs. That is a very large amount of water. The Lake is about an acre and the Pond about half the size. The Lakes being Spring fed rather than by the Stream allows the Fish to grow to their full potential, rather than by the size of the Lake. After ten years the Fish are very large. Last year a Carp of 22lb was fish from the Lake and one of a larger size was seen in the Pond.

I will tell you a little more about the Lakes and fishing and the experiences that a few of those fishing in the past two weeks have had tomorrow.
6:26 Sun 19 Jul 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Here are 5 photo's i took whislt i was holidaying at Denbury in June. Vicky.

Goslings and Geese on the lake. Vicky.

Ladybird in the Valley. Vicky.

Butterfly in the Valley. Vicky.

Small Magpie moth that came in our cottage. Vicky.

Yellow Brimstone Moth that came in our cottage. Vicky.

I was speaking to Peter at Indian River Bay Delaware last evening about his Osprey webcam. The Ospreys laid there eggs but they did not hatch this year. He is not sure why. I didn't realise until last evening that along the stretch of the River where Peter lives there are at least fifteen Osprey nests. I am sending out a new PTZ camera this week so that we can see the other wildlife on the River through the Winter.

As a few of you mentioned on the Forum yesterday about the Bird on the post yesterday morning. It was a Buzzard hunting in the Valley. I should think that it was an adult. With the weather as it has been for the past few weeks, we have been unable to cut the grass to make our hay, so it is standing very tall. Every time the Buzzard went down into the grass after its prey it was coming back to the post with clumps of grass.

A Tawney Owl was on the Horse jump at the Badger feeding area last night. It was there for a long time. A rat walked right below the Owl. Although it was watching the rat it didn't try to catch it.

I managed to find the time to put a webcam on another Swallows nest today. It is a different nest with different adults. The nest had eggs in it whilst the first Swallow were still in their nest. There are two other nests in the building that the nest are in. One with older chicks and the other with eggs. I have taken the the camera from the Dove nest. As soon as there are no Swallows nesting I will show the whole of a Dove nesting from the start when the eggs are first laid.
7:39 Fri 17 Jul 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Need more photographs and please keep watching the adds.

Black squirrel with strange orange/pinky colouring. A black squirrel is part of the grey squirrel family. - Rosie's Mum in Toronto
Rosalee resting - Rosie's Mum

The ravine at the side of our apartment building. You can just see part of the building on the skyline in the middle of the photo. Sometimes it doesn't seem like we live in a large city but then you go to the front of the building and you realize you are in a large multicultural city. Rosie's Mum

Flowers in the gardens - Rosie's Mum

Another chipmunk. - Rosie's Mum

We never saw them leave but we heard the honking of the Geese fade in the distance as they left the Lake this afternoon. They may return before it gets dark, but it is the first time for a long while that the Geese have honked.

It has been a lot of worry making sure that the Geese were safe from the day the Goslings hatched. But I must admit going to the Lake and the Geese not being there is going to be strange. The electric fence worked and kept the predators away. We were never sure what had taken the Geese in previous year but it was very sad seeing them disappear day by day. Twice when the Ganders were taken it was very sad. It would have been easy for them to fly away when his family were threatened, but they stand there ground when the only outcome was them dying. There was no way that I was going to let it happen this year. Without exception every night around midnight I went to the Lake to check that the electric fencer was working.

I was never sure what had taken the Geese in previous years, but I am sure the splash I heard the other night was an Otter jumping into the Stream when I disturbed it. I know that the Gander that was taken last year was a Fox by from where it had attacked and taken the dead Gander.

I am told that the Geese that hatched on the Lake should return. We will never know but it is a nice thought.
6:46 Thu 16 Jul 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Still very short of photographs.

Thanks for continuing to check the adds.

Taken on a walk by the Thames at Iffley, some-one had just feed the Geese. Clive

White Feral pigeon on my Lawn at home, looks like the grass needs cutting. Clive

Climbing Petunia "Tidal Wave" Clive

The reason I did not have a Great Tit in this box this year

I was going to put a few photographs on the Photo Page of the new Chickens that we got last night, but it has been raining all of this afternoon and we are wet through and I really don't want to be outside getting wet for a photograph. We only got four. That was one Black and one White Silkie Pullet that are fourteen weeks old and one Black and one Gold Silkie Chick. We would have had a few more but that was all that the breeder had left. We did get nineteen hatching eggs that we are going to incubate and we will put them on the Hatching webcam when they are due to hatch. We use to have Chickens and Geese on the Farm some years ago but the Fox got the Chicken and when one of the Geese was taken we gave the others away. We wouldn't like it to happen with these that we have now as they are a big favorite and very friendly with our Holiday Guest.

There were four Canada Geese on the Lake this morning. They flew on to the Pond quite early and stayed there for most of the day. This evening I noticed them on the webcam on the other side of the electric fence so I tried to encourage them back onto the Lake with bread. I wasted my time. One of the Gosling who had flown off had returned. All of the Geese are now on the Lake. All I hope is that they stay there as they have no protection against predators around the Pond area.

The new webcam that I mentioned yesterday is not any Wildlife, but be assured it will be very popular and a great one for the Autumn and Winter time. I will keep winding you up with progress reports
5:02 Wed 15 Jul 09
Got to go out tonight to look at some Silkies Chickens. So just a quick update. Three of the Goslings seem to have left the Lake. I have looked around for them but as of yet there is no sign of them. It is possible that they may return tonight, but I am not holding my breath.

Our injured Goose is getting better every day. The way she is looking I should think that she will now make a full recovery.

I mentioned a couple of weeks back that we were talking to people about a new webcam. On speaking to the people this afternoon we are going to do it. In fact they are more enthusiastic than I am. I cant tell you about it until we are up and running as there is only one other in the World and I would not like it to be pirated. I can promise that it will be a big favorite and one of the best webcam available to watch. And should be up and running by the end of August.

The underwater camera from the US Virgin Islands is still going to happen, but because of American Security there are procedures that have to be adhered to.
6:23 Tue 14 Jul 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Nearly out of photographs again.

Have you checked the adds recently?

Pictures of South Devon, especially for Elsie
The village of Dittisham, from the River Dart, Brixham. Janice of Leeds.

More pictures of Devon. This is the engine 'Hercules' which pulls the coaches on the Paignton to Kingsweir steam railway.

Replica of the Golden Hind, Brixham harbour. from Janice of Leeds.

This sheep is on Dartmoor, despite miles of grass it decided to climb a wall and nibble the tufts growing between the stones! Janice of Leeds.

When I came down this morning at about 7. am On changing the webcams over I could see the Geese on the Lake were practicing their flying.
I always go to the Lake to feed them a little later, after seeing to the Horses and letting the Geese and Chickens out. This morning I was a little later than usual. With feed bag in hand I stopped off to speak to one of our Holiday Guests who was fishing on the Lake. Normally within second of reaching the Lake the Geese are swimming towards me. They weren't. Dave who was fishing had seen them earlier so I walked around the Lake to find and feed them. They were no where to be seen. From where I was I couldn't even see them on the Pond at the far end of the Lake. As large as they are and with the practice flying they are doing there was no way that they had flown away. I was concerned that a predator had chased them and that they were scattered around and lost.

I made my way to the Pond. There was still no sign of the Geese until I noticed the some of the reeds moving more than what the wind was moving most of the others. The Geese had taken off from the Lake and reached the Pond swimming in between the reeds. I was pleased to see them and as soon as I called they came for their feed. All I hoped was that they would return to the safety of the Lake before the night. There is no protection around the Pond and would be (excuse the pun) sitting ducks to the predators.

I returned to the Lake at about 3.pm. Dave was still fishing and buzzing as he had just caught a 14 1/2lb Common Carp. There was no way that he would have noticed if the Geese were back on the Lake or not. I didn't need to ask for they were swimming towards me. I didn't have any feed for them on this visit to the Lake, but as I was leaving they turned around and started to fly, landing just short of the end of the Lake. For a moment it looked as if they were going to fly back to the Pond. It wont be long until they leave Denbury.
7:04 Mon 13 Jul 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

These photos all taken around the Lea Valley area at Fishers Green, Essex

FLOWERING RUSH. Jill, Epping

WATER LILIES AND REED MACE. Jill, Epping

WATER LILIES. Jill, Epping

SWAN WITH 7 CYGNETS. Jill, Epping

TREE MAN. Jill, Epping

Some of you know my fear of Rats and Mice. Got it from my Mother and I really don't like them. How I ever finished up farming I will never know. Going up to feed the Badgers has always and will remain a concern in case I come across one when I go to the Sett as I have in the past. Over the years I have got marginally better. At one time I couldn't even look at a Rat or Mouse. I can look now as long as I can make a hasty exit away from then.

In all of the seventeen years that I have been at Denbury I have only known of two mice to be in the Farm House. Fortunately I didn't see them. One day last week whilst I was working at the computer a mouse ran into the Kitchen through the open door. I fortunately only saw it through the corner of my eye before it was scooped up by pure luck with a dustpan and brush. If it hadn't it would have been closer to me than I would have wanted. The Mouse was duly taken far from the house not to be seen again. Or so we thought.

I made sure that the Kitchen door was closed just in case the Mouse decided to return. On going outside half an hour later we were met by one of our Holiday Guests coming to tell us that a Mouse was in her Cottage. I left it to others and made a hasty retreat. They reckon it was the same Mouse who had visited us. It was taken this time a long way from the House and Cottages.
5:00 Sun 12 Jul 09
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.
4:59 Fri 10 Jul 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

The Goose in her frock.

4 more weird and wonderful creatures collected from the sea bed from on board Rogers ship the RRS James Cook. Carol Wolves

At about 6.30pm last evening when we went to put the Geese away we found one had blood on her breast. On closer inspection we found that she had an open wound all from the top to the bottom of the breast. All of her breast flesh could be seen where loose skin had flapped open. Close by the edge of the Stable corral area, was what at first looked like a dead Dove, we found a very large clump of Goose feathers attached to a small piece of Goose skin. We did not see how the injury happened but it was a Goose that would try to steal Branstons feed as he was eating. We can only assume that Branston had kicked out and his hoof had just glanced the front of the Gooses chest. If a kick had hit the Goose full on she would have been dead. Although only a small piece of skin had been torn off the whole of the breast was open.

We phoned the Veterinary, he was just on his way to call out, to a Bull who had tried to mount another Bull that had caused a lot of swelling to his bits. So the Veterinary would not be back to the Surgery until 9.pm. Just as I was going to feed the Badgers we got the call telling us to make our way to the Surgery in Minehead that is about 20 miles away. Feeding the Badgers delayed getting away by 10 minutes and some how we managed to get behind the slowest driver I have ever met on the Minehead Road. There are not many overtaking places on the road and the dithering slow driver was making a 25 minute journey a marathon. A traffic lighted roadworks that I would normally curse made it possible to push in front when the lights were against us. The driver wasn't best pleased. The Goose was a good passenger once we had covered it head. Daft when you think about it. If some put a bag over our head all hell would let loose, but the Goose hardly made a murmur once it was on.

The Veterinary was a little wary that the Goose would peck him as he made an examination but she was very good considering her ordeal and the journey. The wound was cleaned and it was obvious that the flaps could be stitched together. It wouldn't be pretty as there were feather stumps in her skin and feathers in the way that would have caused the Goose a lot of pain if they were plucked. It took over 20 stitches to close the injury. Other than a few little honks she was a very good patient. After being given an injection of pain killer and antibiotics we made our way home. Guess what, I reckon that we must have met the slow drivers brother who we met on the way to the Veterinaries on the way back to the Farm. This time we were no able to pass and we arrived home after 11.pm.

We had to give the wound some protection against dirt and the Goose preening herself. A pillow case seemed the answer and after cutting it about for the Gooses legs and head it was fitted over her. Although she was looking a bit uncomfortable after her ordeal she was housed with the other Geese. I checked on her after midnight and she was looking a bit better. This morning I was wondering what I was going to meet when we let the Geese out, as usual she was very sprightly coming out with the other Geese but dressed in her pillow case. I am going to give her antibiotics for a few days and as long as the wound does not get infected she should make a full recovery.

At the time of putting tonights Diary on at 5. pm the Goose is still looking alright.
10:59 Thu 09 Jul 09
Sorry no Diary tonight as we have literally just got back from the Veterinaries. One of our Geese had an horrendous gash on he chest. Will tell you about it tomorrow.
6:51 Wed 08 Jul 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

ALL TAKEN IN THE NEW FOREST ON OUR WAY HOME FROM DORSET. LYNNE.

The Geese are practicing to fly a lot through the day. This morning encouraged by the Goose and Gander all six Goslings were a couple of feet off of the surface of the Lake for at least half of the length. One of our Holiday Guests who has been fishing told us that they have been practicing a lot through the day.

The Geese have caused me a lot of extra work. The Goslings have never survived for long after hatching, either being killed by a Fox or Otter, so have never experienced eight Geese getting in and out of the Lake over a prolonged period and it has caused a lot of erosion on the left hand far side from what you are able to see on the webcam. It was getting so bad I have needed today to put a timber support along the eroded area and back fill with stone to stop it getting any worse. We have a problem on that side of the Lake with the erosion that the Stream is causing. In parts the Lake edge is within six foot of the Stream bank and where we have repaired today is one of the places. The Geese are a bit wary of the work we have done. They will soon get use to it and will no doubt be in and out of the Lake at that point even before we put soil on the repair.

A bit more about the Beaver.

Phylogenesis
Predecessors bobrovitch mammals evolved in the Northern Hemisphere from the early branches of primitive rodent genus Paramys. The family Castoridae is known from the upper Eocene. The oldest known representative of the North American genus Palaeocastor who continued blindly ending line Eucastor - Dipoides - Castoroides. On the European mainland was the oldest family Steneofiber, hrabav small rodent, which became the basis for the emergence of the genus Castor recentnho in the bottom pliocnu. During this transformation were increasing adaptation to the water. In the middle pliocnu then came kind Castor fiber (European Beaver), which survived until recent.
During the Tertiary there was a series of parallel lines, but gradually disappeared. Worth mentioning, for example, Beaver pleistocnn family Trogontherium, which was the size of a wolf and lived on our territory, or Castoroides already mentioned the size of the bear and the estimated weight of 60 - 100 kg.
Castor Rod kolonizoval almost the whole of Eurasia and the time of a bridge linking the continents and continental North America. Here, after the demise of the continental bridge, from about 10 000 years ago, developed in isolation of today's Canadian Beaver (Castor canadensis). Evidence of a common origin as ektoparazitick beetle Platypsyllus castoris Ritsema, occurring only in the two recent species of beaver. The main difference between the two species is their different number of chromosomes (2n = 48 for Castor fiber, but 2n = 40 for Castor canadensis), a result of independent akrocentrickch merger, which created the single homologony. Due to this fact they are reproductively isolated species. Bobr Canada also has a higher average number of pups in the litter, so can the original introduction in Europe of European beaver competitively displace. Otherwise, however, these species so visually similar that it is no deeper osteologick, biochemical and genetic analysis practically impossible to identify.



Taxonomy species
Family Castoridae (bobrovit) suborder Sciuromorpha (veverkovci) is a recent representation of two species: Castor fiber Linnaeus, 1758 - European and Beaver Castor canadensis Kuhl, 1820 - Canadian Beaver. European beaver subspecies are differentiated according to affiliation to reliktnm stocks from the turn of the 19th and 20 century: Southern Norway (C. f. fiber), Saxony-Anhalt (C. f. albicus), France (C. f. Galliate), Russia + Belarus + Poland (C. f. vistulanus), Siberia (C. f . pohlei), Mongolia (C. f. birulai). Most major river basins are also responsible Eurasian flows. At present, however, the analysis of mitochondrial DNA proposed resolution only two forms: "Western" (the merger of C. f. fiber, C. F. and C. albicus Galliate f.) and "eastern" (the merging of other species). The Canadian beaver is distinguished up to 24 different subspecies.

Extension
Currently, the European beaver range includes Norway, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Northern and Central Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. He lives almost across the German section of the Elbe in Mecklenburg and in central and western part of Germany in the Rhine. A large population lives in Bavaria and Austria on the Danube, Innu and their tributaries. In France, the Beaver gradually spreading to the north of the original population on the lower Rhne and Loire introduced to the population. Repatriation was also in Switzerland, Denmark, Hungary and Croatia.
We Beaver currently occupies six main areas: the Lower Elbe (Usti nad Labem after-Stekov), south-west Bohemia, basin wild eagle, Morava river with tributaries, the river Dyji the tributaries and the river Oder to the tributaries (Fig. 1).
The current size of the beaver population in the Czech Republic is estimated at 900 - 1 100 individuals. With each year, derived data can be concluded that the expansion into new territories is still ongoing (eskomoravsk Vysocina, Gross Jesenk).


Claims for the
Bobr inhabits slow running or still fresh waters of temperate and cold zones.
This is essentially a wide nivy the medium and lower flows of major rivers, the various tanks, ponds, wetlands and flooded pskovny. There are, however, the shallow upstream, amelioration canals and other artificial water if there is appropriate menu tree. In this case, snares and agricultural land use and urbanized areas. Limiting factor is not clean water. The incidence of soft wood, particularly tree (Salix), poplar (Populus), alder (Alnus) and birch (Betula). Vegetation consisting of only Ol but it does not allow long-term settlement. In addition to species composition behovch crops is important as well as size, density and distribution of reforestation.
Are preferred habitats with low water levels and fluctuations in sufficient depth. These factors, however, Beaver can itself regulate the construction and maintenance of dams. The height of water level must be such that they are hidden under water entrance to the beaver shelters. They are built in the form of underground nor in pregnant or so-called "polohrad" and "castles" pekrytch top branches and mud, where the substrate is less coherent and bank burrows are canceled.
Beaver kept mostly nocturnal or crepuscular lifestyle. Seasonal activity is year-round, in winter nehibernuj, but in the colder months, even a few days do not leave the shelter and adults reduce their body temperature at 34 - 35 C.

Food
Bobr is exclusive herbivores. Its food range is quite wide. In Europe, have been described more than 150 species of plants and about 80 tree species that are consumed. During the summer of the year, live mostly soft nezdevnatlmi parts of plants and shoots. Consumed in rural areas and crops (maize, rape, beet, potatoes, etc.). As part of the menu are shown as well as non-native invasive species - sunflower Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) and kdlatka (Reynoutria).
At the end of the growing season plants gradually declining and beavers are transferred to another type of diet. Beginning to cut trees to get to Crown vtvm and eat bark, twigs and leaves. In addition, standing water can under the water creates a branch of olistnch winter food supply. The bark of trees, however, contains many substances with an adverse effect (salicylic acid, saponin, tannins, etc.). Therefore, they are preferred more digestible soft wood. Beaver are also very long appendix, which contains bacteria that support digestion and prevent adverse effects of these substances. Despite the transition of plants to the bark of trees mainly for young people a critical period. We beavers cation predominantly vrbu (Salix), poplar (Populus), ash (Fraxinus) and Ol (Alnus). Less often kcenmi species such as maple (Acer), bird cherry (Prunus avium), lime (Tilia), hazel (Corylus), birch (Betula), oak (Quercus), svda blood (Cornus sanguinea), bird-cherry (Prunus padus ), general viburnum (Viburnum Opulus), habrolist elm (Ulmus minor), not black (Sambucus nigra), and uniquely and conifers. Prefer trees with a diameter of strain up to 20 cm, however, cation and trees with a diameter of more than 1 m.

6:26 Tue 07 Jul 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Rogers ship the RRS James Cook when she was docked in Brest last month.
Equipment that is sent down to the sea bed to collect samples. Carol Wolves

Weird and wonderful creature collected from the sea bed. Carol Wolves

Carols photographs are intriguing without an explanation of what Rodgers Exploration Ship is involved in finding and for what reason. I have emailed Carol asking for a piece for the Diary. Now that has put Carol in a position.

Some more about the Beaver.

Description of species
Bobr European (Castor fiber L.) is Europe's largest rodent and the South American capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris L.), the second largest rodent in the world, along with close relatives of the Canadian Beaver (Castor canadensis Kuhl). An adult bird weighs up to 30 kg in body length (LC) 75 - 102 cm. His body is adapted semiakvatilnmu way of life. It is covered by thick (up to 30 000 hair per cm2), brown or black-colored hair, impregnated fatty feces pair itnch glands. Eyes (the transparent membrane immersion protected) as well as specific muscles closable nostrils and ears, located on the top side of the head. Also pyskov muscles may conclude to the front hlodky, allowing nibble trees and under water. Here Beaver last breath for one to 15 minutes. Hind feet with up to 20 cm long fingers, are equipped with floating skin. The second finger is duplicated claw, which is used to adjust the hair. Smaller, hrabav front limbs are web-footed, and indicated only in part due to protistojnmu fifth finger to grab a good ability. Prominent feature is 25 - 34 cm long, strongly dorsoventral flattened tail that is nearly bald, covered estihelnkovmi zrohovatlmi scales. The beaver lives in fulfilling many important functions. It serves not only to the movement and maneuvering under the water, but also as a support for the upright position on the rear legs (for example, when felling trees). It is used in place termoregulaci and deposits of fat stores. Loud plcnutm tail on the surface are warned other members of the colony or intimidated enemies. Adaptation to aquatic life is also a common outcome Anal opening and genitourinary system similar kloace that minimizes the risk of infection.
The rear body parts, between the shell and the tail root, are for both sexes two pair glands. Larger pair excludes semi yellow brown material characteristic odor. Have been described as musky gland (Castoreum - beaver machine ") and used in folk medicine (containing, inter alia, salicylic acid) and in perfumery (for its ability to keep the smell). The smaller pair of glands is excreted tukovitou material in females and males grayish yellowish, which is mainly to the impregnation of the hair and also has its characteristic odor. Excrement both glands and serves as the olfactory signal of age, gender and social Statute individuals in a colony is used for marking territory. Sense of smell is the guiding spirit, is also important to hearing and touch.
External sexual dimorphism is minimal. In males the penis is present (detection of its presence is the most common method of determining the sex). Females have only two pairs of mammary glands.
7:12 Mon 06 Jul 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Boardwalk at Powdermill Woods Near Battle. Sussex. Bob.

Dog statue in the lake at Petworth Park. West Sussex. Bob.

Powdermill Woods near Battle. Sussex. Bob.


Frog on a lily pad in my pond at Hastings. East Sussex. The mesh is to stop cats getting the fish. Bob.

Petrified wood from ancient forest at Cliff End near Rye. Bob.

I was so busy messing about with the broken down camera that I forgot to put last nights Diary and Photo page on. It is a broken cable. I will need to find the break, if not I will need to run a new 150m cable through our loft and a 100m through the trees. This time of the year it is a major job.

I must have spent at least five hours of wasted time trying to sort out the problem with the Badger camera that went off yesterday. I think that I have narrowed it down to it being the signal cable. I have never had that problem before but I have checked all else and I cant get the camera going. Trouble is the cable is over a 100m long and passes through lots of trees and bushes, so if it is a break in the cable it wont be an easy job replacing it.

Below is another part of the translation from the Brno Zoo Beaver webcam.


The picture you can follow the beaver family dwelling on the selected site in Moravia. Beavers are active primarily in the dusk beginning, because the camera is equipped with noktoviz.

Beavers with us
Bobr European (Castor fiber L.) is one of the few species that is mainly due to strong ochranskmu effort, managed to return back to the original positions of occurrence, and thus in our nature. Up to 17 century was an ordinary version of the Beaver River fauna NIV, alluvial forests and wetlands. Also occurred in most areas of our state, especially in the river Elbe and Morava and also in southern Bohemia. There, however, the intensification of agriculture in the lowlands, associated with the felling shakes stands, odvodovnm wetlands and their conversion to the field and meadow. This will still reduce the number and reduce the area occupied by beaver habitats. Bobr was also heavily fished, both for the valuable fur and for meat (upinatmu because its tail was declared as fish meat, so that it can eat even fasting) and the so-called "beaver machine" ( "Castoreum" excrement skin glands used in perfumery and medicine). The beaver fat was considered a panacea, as well as the testes, blood, bones and teeth. As a result, the Beaver was in the mid-18th century in our country, as in many other European countries, extinction in the wild. At the turn of the 18th and 19 century were still in several places in southern Bohemia undertaken attempts to behave in the man-beavers (the so-called "bobrovnch) or semi-farms, where, thanks to strict protection of their number began to increase rapidly and soon it was not possible to prevent leakage into the wild. But this has raised fears of disruption dams and beavers began to be intensively hunted, and in 1882 disappeared from our fauna quite. A similar fate caught beaver in other European countries, so that at the end of the 19th century, it remained only about 1 200 individuals in eight isolated populations in southern Norway, Russia, Belarus, Poland, in the Far East, the Lower Rhne in France and in the middle flow of the Elbe River in Germany, Saxony-Anhalt.
In the 20th century, however, the introduction of strict protection of the beaver and its reintroduction to the original territory, followed by natural dissemination, managed to achieve in many parts of the restoration of its former population. The first mention of the recurrence of beaver in our area comes from 1967, when the migrant bird beaten Kamenice boatman on the river in northern Bohemia. This way, the Elbe River upstream to the lock in Stekov, to join us later expanded our only genetically native populations originating from Saxony-Anhalt in Germany. It is a subspecies Castor fiber albicus Matschie. Other stock comes from the reintroduction. First it was the animals since 1986 migrating upstream Moravia and Dyje from neighboring Austria. Since the early nineties and, in places, before moving to western and southern Bohemia beavers from Bavaria. Polish origin to the Oder river basin osidlujc beavers and wild eagle. The river basin of the Morava River is a major beaver reintroduction to protected area Litovelsk Pomorav implemented team of the Department of Ecology Faculty of Science, UP and ZO SOP "Bobr" in Olomouc. In November 1991, there were 6 and withdrawal in May 1992 a further 14 subspecies of European beaver Castor fiber vistulanus Matschie, from pojeze Suwalki in north-eastern Poland. In November 1996 they introduced one adult pair of Lithuania, where were the other two pairs introduced in the same year on the river Oder in the vicinity Libav.
Bobr therefore our territory back and shows the transformation of the original sites were significant but not decisive factor of his disappearance. Given that in our conditions has virtually no natural enemies and competitors can quickly restore the number of its population, it is protected. In the Czech Republic is the European beaver according to the law No. 114/1992 Coll. on the protection of nature and landscape and implementing Decree No. 395/1992 Coll. Statute of highly endangered species. The Berne Convention, the Council of Europe in 1979 on the protection of the flora, fauna and natural habitats is included in Annex III. (protected species). European Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of wildlife, fauna and natural habitats to include in Annex II. (species of fauna and flora of Community interest whose conservation requires the designation of specific territorial protection) and in Annex IV. (species of fauna and flora of Community interest, requiring strict protection).
At present, the increasing size of beaver population to the exponential nature whereas the still in the initial phase of colonization of new territory. As a result of the strong territoriality of young individuals migrate to new, even unpopulated areas. With a growing number of Beaver, however, multiply the cases where the animal gets in the urbanized landscape in conflict with human interests (water works and construction, forestry and agricultural culture, etc.).
For the minimization is very important to fully explore the biology and ecology of this species and to conduct monitoring the development of its population.
5:11 Sat 04 Jul 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

ALL TAKEN IN DORSET

DUCKLINGS. LYNNE

TERN (I THINK). LYNNE

REED WARBLER ?? LYNNE

CORMORANT. LYNNE

SIGNET. LYNNE

The Badger camera looking towards the set has gone wrong, the other two Badger cameras are working, so for tonight I will leave the Lake camera on. As long as it is the camera and not the wire i will get it working tomorrow.

Translation of the Beaver Webpage by Jack. I will put another paragraph on tomorrow

Beaver family on-line

We bring you more of our on-line transfer of the life of protected fauna of our nature. In the past year have had on our website the opportunity to monitor the direct transfer of nesting and rearing of young owls burnt in a wild couple this kind. The project met with unexpected public response, not only in the Czech Republic and abroad, therefore, we would like to continue in similar transfers. This year we wanted to live closer to the European beaver (Castor fiber), which is in our nature returned only recently, and whose way of life, coupled with the ability of a significant environmental influence is, unfortunately, under pressure from the media mostly negative public perception. Come with us to learn more about Beaver and find that in fact are completely other than that you know, for example, from the commercials of one not listed insurance ...

The picture you can follow the beaver family dwelling on the selected site in Moravia. Beavers are active primarily in the dusk beginning, because the camera is equipped with noktoviz.

Two of our Holiday Guests have spent the day in and around our new Wood. They are at Denbury for the Wildlife and were rewarded seeing three what sounds like Roe Deer and two Kid. They also managed to see a Fox. If I had power near the Wood I would fix a camera for I am sure it would give us some great viewing. I will look into the possibilities next week.

We have three type of Deer that visit Denbury. The two main types are Red and Roe. At times the Muntjac also visits, although I haven't seen any for over a year.

Some of you may be interested to know the different names for the Male, female and Young of the different breeds.

Red Deer Male are Stag, Females Hind, Young Calf.

Roe Deer Males are Buck, Female Doe, Young Kid.

Muntjac Deer Male are Buck. Female Doe, Young Fawn.

Those who have other type of Deer in their area maybe interested in their names.

Fallow Deer Male Buck, Female Doe, Young Fawn.

Sika Deer Male Stag, Female Hind, Young Calf.

It would be easier if they were all named the same in what I should imagine most people know Deer by. Male Stag, Female Doe or maybe Hind and Young Fawn. There are no breed that are known by all three.

Julia you not wrong about different weather forecast from different parts of the BBC. Within minutes of going from a national forecast to a regional it is very often completely different. What makes it even worse is that every region has a different forecaster, each region having two and three. And they still haven't managed to get it correct this week where we are. It is costing us a fortune in the costs of the Met Office, and another fortune being given wrong forecasts by the BBC. If they spent some of this wasted money on programming we might get some decent programmes. Maybe not it would be the same.
6:47 Fri 03 Jul 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Racing pigeon having a lift on Rogers ship.
Carol Wolves

This is Cassie on the left who sadly died a couple of weeks ago she had done a 26 mile hike, I think they call it long distance. she started to show signs of great distress on her return to the stables. So a Vet was called and she was rushed to Liverpool it was diagnosed as twisted gut she lost her life, her owners are distraught as you can well imagine. Chester my sisters horse is the rogue on the right... Karen Stoke

Hyacinth, there is nothing quite as nice as the scent from these for me. Karen Stoke

A new product? ready stuffed chickens! Maurice.

Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonfly drying itself in the sun after emerging from my tiny wildlife pond in Hastings. East Sussex.

We left the gate open around the Lake so that the Geese could graze just outside of the fenced area but they were having none of it. I tried to coax them with a scoop of corn but they decided to go so far and no further. I scattered the corn on the grass and went around the Lake. On the way back I I was behind the Geese and tried to push them on towards the gate in the hope that they would go through the gate but there was no contest trying to stop eight Geese from getting passed me and I soon gave up. I will put there feed closer to the gate when I feed them. They will only need to go through once and they will no be worried. Our Holiday Guest who was fishing us that when ever the Geese hear my voice even if it is near the Farm House they swim to the direction of where I feed them.

It wasn't until I read Roses entry on the Forum that realised that the Brno Beaver webcam was up and working. As far as I was concerned
the location was to far from a broadband connection and electricity to be able to get a webcam going. I will contact the Zoo on Monday to find out more about it. It is great to get it on our website. I tried to get a translation from the text but it came out like double dutch. We may have a Czech speaking viewer who could translate it for us. If not I will get a translation on Monday from the Zoo. I found the webcam took a little slow to load, so be patient.
7:16 Thu 02 Jul 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

A few more pics from Dungeness ....

Red legged partridge on bird feeder. Jill (Epping)

Painted Lady butterfly on red valerian. Jill (Epping)

Eyed Hawk Moth. Jill (Epping)

"Dead Man" sculpture found on Denge Marsh Gulley shingle beach near power station - its been there for many years, no-one knows who put it there or why! Jill (Epping)

Cattle egret following the cows. Jill (Epping)

There is not enough grazing for the Geese around the Lake and we are having to supplement there feed with corn and bread. I am going to have to let them out of the fence area for part of the day from tomorrow, that is of course if they will leave it. I know I will have to do it but we will need to keep a watchful eye for at about 6.pm this evening I was talking to one of our Holiday Guests who was fishing on the Lake. He noticed it first. A Fox was running between the Sheep in Reindeer Field, chasing a Cock Pheasant. They went out of sight as the Fox was gaining on the Pheasant and no doubt the Fox caught it. The Sheep who barley moved looked up and a few of them started to make their way towards where the Fox would have caught the Pheasant. It was a hedge that stopped us seeing the outcome of the chase and it could well be that the Pheasant reached the safety of the hedge, that the Fox would have found a bit more difficult to get through than the Pheasant. Why the stupid Bird didn't take flight I really cant imagine. I do like seeing them around the Farm. And with the Fox so close we will have to make sure he doesn't try to take any of the Goslings.

Jill, now you have started me off about the thunderstorms. We didn't get the fore-casted weather that we were promised. It was meant to have started about 8.am this morning and passed us by clipping Minehead. Let me tell you we haven't had a correct forecast since last Saturday. The over paid idiots at the Met Office and BBC have got it completely wrong every day all of this week. If they had managed to get it right we could have made our hay this week. As regulars know I often complain about forecasting, sometimes to the Met Office. If I had the time I would have screamed at them today. We are paying lots of Met Office employees big money to be wrong. They are no better than the Bankers and MPs taking our money under false pretences.
6:33 Wed 01 Jul 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

ALL TAKEN IN DORSET A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO

TALL SHIP IN WEYMOUTH HARBOUR. LYNNE

THE QUEEN CAME TO VISIT WHILE WE WERE THERE THIS WAS WHAT SHE ARRIVED IN. LYNNE

VIEW OF WEYMOUTH BAY. LYNNE

THE HARBOUR AT NIGHT TAKEN FROM OUR BALCONY. LYNNE

BOATS IN THE HARBOUR. LYNNE

I managed to find another Swallows nest today. It is in the same Barn as the last one. As long as the camera wires can reach the nest I will trey to set the camera up tomorrow.

Over the past four or five days there have been a lot of Swallows coming under the porch of the Kitchen door. A few time they have even come into the Kitchen. One tried to get out of the kitchen by the closed window and needed our help to get out. The way the Swallow were in and out they must be building a nest. It wasn't until today that I saw where they were building a nest. It is under the porch roof right above our heads as we enter and leave the kitchen. I not to sure that they will finish the nest with us in and out all of the time. Another problem is that there are a couple of leaks in the roof and it may well wet the nest. If it does look that they are going to finish the nest, if they do I will put a camera up.

I personally am not a lover of Fishing, probably because I am not that good at it although I don't like the thought of the hook going into the Fish. But last night we decided to have a salad dinner by the Lake with me trying to Fish. By the time our picnic salad got to the lake with all of the fishing equipment there was very little time to have a go at fishing. It was soon time to feed the Badgers and what had I caught. Sweet nothing. Didn't even get a bite. Just as well I wasn't fishing for our dinner. Maybe I will try again tonight with some fish and chips. Be just like going to Minehead.


6:20 Tue 30 Jun 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Any more photograghs.

Dont forget the Adds.

Not at all worried! by those prying eyes. Karen Stoke.

Lurking up the corner is an alligator, I laughed when I saw it. He has two in there the ducks, didn't seem to mind lol. Karen Stoke.

Some heather, around my Dads pond. Karen Stoke.

This is Tuco my parents Japanese Akita, he likes to sleep on the stairs in this manner as he has all the doors covered. Karen Stoke.

These cheeky pair took up residence on my parents pond. They were there every day for about 5 weeks they have disappeared now about a week ago. Karen Stoke.

Just had a phone call from PC Mclean. You do not have to attend the Police Station tomorrow to answer your bail, as The Crown Prosecution Service do not believe that it would be in the public interest to prosecute you. I bet that hurt.

What a waste of Police time, let alone mine. It was only pursued because the complainant was a Crown Court Judge. If it had been any one else nothing would have been done. Why do I say that. Because it was the Easter weekend and it would not have been through the Police system other than that the Judge went to the highest ranking Police Officer that he could on the day to make the complaint. The Police jumped. That's wrong.

An other part of this episode is even worse. The incident was witnessed by one of our Holiday Guests. A few weeks ago the Police phoned him in Wales and took a statement from him over the phone. The Statement was duly sent to him to be signed. Last night he phoned me telling me that he had returned the statement unsigned to the Police with a covering letter explaining that the statement that was sent to him to be signed was not what he had intended. It was one sided and against me. I should think that the letter to the Police had a lot to do with today's decision.

I should think that the Judge would not be to happy when he hears. He would have been a lot less happy if I had been charged as I had intended to take out a private prosecution against him for trespass.
7:19 Mon 29 Jun 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page. Merrilyn

The 2 swans in my previous photo's have got one cygnet. Which is one better than last year, she didn't manage any. Merrilyn

Dad rushing back to mum and baby. Merrilyn

Duck with ducklings. She started off with 12. Merrilyn

My dog Mick. Merrilyn

Busy Bee. Merrilyn

There was one entry on the forum that stood out that made me annoyed and it caused me to pick up on previous moans about the webcams being down. It generalised on the webcams, forum and answers. It is now forgotten. But I will remind those who have had a moan of the work that goes into getting the webcams to you.

Just recently the Barn Owl cams went down. You would not believe the running about and costs that the Barn Owl Trust went to in getting the webcams back up and running. Peter at the Lock has needed at times to climb the tree that the Osprey nest is on to get it running for when the Osprey return to nest. You wouldnt catch me climbing the tree. When the Perigrine webcam power supply got flooded a couple of weeks back, the at the falls of Clyde got the webcam back on line the very next day using a generator. There still is no power other than the generator even now. Michael the SWT IT person is back and forwards to the various SWT location making sure that the computers are working properly. I could go on and on.
7:32 Sun 28 Jun 09

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

Lavender field. Sarah.

Ducks on the gruffy. Sarah.

Two more from my day of cheering up. Julia..

The 2 swans in my previous photo's have got one cygnet. Which is one better than last year, she didn't manage any. Merrilyn.

Some how I missed Merrilyns photographs from a couple of weeks back. I will put the rest on tomorrow. THAT IS THE LAST THAT WE HAVE. SO IF YOU HAVE ANY SEND THEM IN. MAYBE THE WHINGERS MAY PUT THEIR MIND TO SENDING SOME PHOTOGRAPHS IN, INSTEAD OF WHINGING.

I am going to make a phone call to the US Virgin Islands tomorrow. I know that they are very keen to get the underwater webcam going, so I don't know what the problem is other than Peter has not been about to pass the equipment over through him having problems with his injury.

There are still outstanding webcam opportunities that I need to follow up. I am also talking to people about a very exciting webcam. I Cant tell you to much as it may get pirated. All that I will tell you is that there is only one webcam that does the same and a charge of $20 is made yearly to view it. The owner of the location is very interested and is getting her website person to talk with me. I will follow it up this week. If I get a negative answer there are other location that I can try. The webcam will be a good addition as it is a winter webcam. Don't start guessing and put the guesses on the Forum as you may although very unlikely get it correct. Then I wouldn't approve it as I don't want the idea to get known until we start.I had to laugh at one of this weeks Holiday Guests. I noticed that he was taking some photographs out side of his Cottage with out Chickens nearby. When I enquired what he was photographing, he showed a Paxo Stuffing packet an was trying to get photograph of the Chicken with the packet. If he got it I will put it on the Photo Page.
7:40 Sat 27 Jun 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

We still need more photographs.

The fox was too distant in fading light to get a good picture. Peter.

The church is at Hartpury, Gloucestershire and shows a Bee Shelter (Bole), plenty of information on internet. Peter.

The horse's, I would like to know what breed they are, also they occasionally wear tight grey covers over their heads with no apparent eye holes, wonder what these are for? Peter.

The two Horses look like cross breed Pie Balds, although the one at the back seems to be white and brown (Skew Bald)

The Kingfisher has been landing on the branch quite a lot today. I have seen it seven times. Last year I don't think that I saw it seven times in total all year. A Willow tree had fallen into the Lake just behind the branch. A lot of the branches of the tree were covered by the leaves and I think that the Kingfisher had been fishing from the trees branches covered by the leaves and out of sight of the camera. Although I have never found the nesting site It is in the bank behind tree in the background.

Although Kingfishers are not seen very often, it would not because they avoid people or that they are nervous as a few of those fishing on the Lake last year had the Kingfisher land on their fishing rods. Only one person is holidaying at Denbury for the fishing this week. The other two cottages are being used by those that are only here for the wildlife, so I will be interested in what they manage to see.

6:52 Fri 26 Jun 09
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.
3:19 Wed 24 Jun 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Here are some pics from Dungeness -

Swans with cygnets. Jill (Epping)

Sunset over Lydd. Jill (Epping)

Nesting Cormorants with Dungeness Old lighthouse in background. Jill (Epping)

Hebridean black sheep with ram. Jill (Epping)

close up of the ram. Jill (Epping)

The Wallaby Joeys were returned to Cricket St Thomas this morning. I was wrong to bring them to Denbury as they were not going to be suitable for what we had hoped from them.

I had attempted for nearly three weeks to contact a Wallaby Breeder to get advise on the keeping of them, but had never got an answer. Even up to minutes before we left to collect the Wallaby's I tried to phone again. After I had finished last night Diary we went to feed them. Worried that on seeing light they would make an attempt to escape we opened the trailer door very slowly. Believe me that was a good move, for no sooner that we had opened the door the two Joeys tried to barge their way out. One managed to get most of the way out. It was so quick I really don't know how we managed to get it back into the trailer. It wasn't us being cleaver, just pure luck. We did get the feed into the trailer but one of the Wallaby's was bouncing all around the trailer looking for an exit. There was not way that it was going to hurt itself physically, but it was stressing its self out.

I tried phoning the Wallaby Breeder again and was fortunate to get an answer. I explained the situation and the reasons for having the Wallaby's . They were obviously not suitable for us to keep at Denbury, and we would never be able to train them or to be able to let them eventually to be free range. The Breeder had experienced the bouncing around the trailer and around holding shelters. The Wallaby's would have needed to be kept in a six foot high compound. Even that may not have stopped them from jumping over. The Breeder believes that he is responsible for some Wallaby's running wild in his area.

We had done quite a lot of reading up on Wallaby's before we decided that we would try to keep them. A lot of the reading told us that they make extremely good pets and are easy to train, what they failed to tell us is that the Joeys need to be taken from the Mothers pouch and bottle fed, then they would be trainable and friendly as they will be looking to the human as their parent. We would never contemplate that. In Australia Joeys are found on their own after their Mothers are killed by being run over or by fires or many other reasons. Some of these are kept as pets.
7:34 Tue 23 Jun 09
We have Friends staying this week so the Diary will be a bit hit and miss when I manage to find the time.

We have also had a very busy day so I haven't got the time to put any photographs on.

After a hectic morning of cleaning stables and preparing a stable for the Wallaby Joeys we finally left for Cricket St Thomas to collect them a couple of hours later than we intended. The Joeys had been weaned for a little over a week and were in an area away from the group. By the time that we had turned the car and trailer around at the Wildlife Park the Joeys had been caught and put in carry cages to be let loose into our trailer, so that they were not confined in a very small area.

After an initial panic the Joeys soon settled and sat quietly for the whole of the return Journey. We arrived back at Denbury a little after half an hour after we had left Cricket St Thomas. We parked in the Farm |Yard to let the Joeys settle before putting them into their holding stable until they got use to the different noises. It was then that one of them decided that the plastic window at the front of the trailers was an escape route and it kept charging into the window trying to get out. We found a dark blanket and covered and darken the window. It seems to have worked and the pair of Joeys have now quietened down. I am going to have to leave them in the trailer for a few days so that they do not have any chance of escaping. It is secure and very large so it is ideal for a couple of days to quieten them and for them to realise that they are not in any danger, We will them move them into the stable that we have prepared for them, letting them out into the confined area in front until they have the confidence to venture a little further to graze and meet the other animals, Chickens and Geese.
I hope to get a camera working so that you can see them.

This morning we hunted every where for the remains of the Goose that was taken yesterday afternoon by a Fox. There was not a sign of her any where. Before we left to collect the Joeys we put all of the Geese away just in case the Fox returned. About half an hour of arriving back at the Farm we found what at first we thought was one of the Geese we had put away walking close to the Holiday Cottages. We thought that one that we had put away had flown over the half open stable door. On a second look after seeing how she was walking we realised it was the Goose who we had thought the Fox had got. Both yesterday and this morning we had hunted high and low for her with out any luck. Where she had been I really don't know.
5:31 Mon 22 Jun 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

These were all taken in my garden the nest in the eaves of the house is a housemartin I think there are only 2 babies this year. Sue.

This is a snap my sister took of my Dads cascade on his pond. Karen Stoke.

Duck. Karen Stoke.

It looks very much as a Fox has had one of our Geese. We have been looking for over an hour in the places that she hangs out but as of yet we have no managed to find her. Although it is not a certain sign we have found some down feathers that look as if they may have come from her neck area. Although not a certain sign it doesn't look good.

The Goose is one that has slightly deformed legs that makes her waddle with her body nearly touching the ground. The deformity has caused her to have difficulty walking so she is very often sitting on her own mostly on the lawn area out side our kitchen door. There are two other areas that she could be found, one being the overgrown sand Horse arena the other close to where we found the down.

It is nearly impossible without great expense to confine Geese and Chickens in a area that is suitable where the Geese can graze and Chickens scratch around so we allow them to be free range. They are not going to like it as we will need keep them in for a few days in the hope that the Fox will hunt in a different area if he doesn't see the Geese and Chicken around when he comes. As for sure he will be back tomorrow.


5:41 Sat 20 Jun 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

JUST HAD A WEEK IN DORSET

WEYMOUTH LIFEBOAT LYNNE

CONDOR FERRY WEYMOUTH LYNNE

PORTLAND BILL LIGHTHOUSE LYNNE

SUNSET OVER CHESIL BEACH LYNNE

BLUE POOL DORSET LYNNE

I hope more of you than Janice (Leeds) saw the Red Deer Hind with Twin Calves on the Valley Camera last night. We very rarely see Calve at all, so seeing twins was a first even for us. The images were not that good. It was only for a short time that we managed to see the three in the full infra-red light. The long grass didn't help either. Once out of the full infra-red light the images wee poor.

Unfortunately we found a dead Hind in the Valley. Worse still laying with her was a dead Calf. I knew there was something dead just under the trees on the left hand side Wood as there was a Fox hanging around the area. Some thing always seemed to delay me when I went to go and see what it was. It was only on Thursday evening that Diane, Vicky and family went there for me. It was to late to see what had caused the Hind to die. Although I am concerned that it may have been shot by a nearby Farmer who had found it on his crop and the wounded Deer fell in our Field in the Valley.


7:34 Fri 19 Jun 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Just looked outside at the (almost empty!!) fatball feeder in the Crab Apple tree and was totally shocked to see a Woodpecker! That's a first in our garden! I couldn't believe it! There was also a very agile squirrel a few days ago. Julia.

I took these pictures on Monday afternoon during a very violent thunderstorm. I have never witnessed anything like this before, the funnel cloud came and went about four times, it did eventually touch down and was classed as a torando, but, only for a moment. It didn't cause any damage. Jan (Herts).

Need more photographs.

Speaking today to one of this weeks Holiday Guests who was fishing I mentioned that I had not seen the Kingfisher this year other than once earlier February March time. She told me with two other of our Guests she saw the Kingfisher on the branch on Wednesday. I will for part of the day leave one of the webcams on the branch.

The Swallow wont be long in the leaving the nest. It only seems like yesterday that the first egg hatched. I will start to look for a new nest so that when they fledge we have another one to watch on the webcam.
5:14 Thu 18 Jun 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

The Bantams in their new house deciding if they have the courage to come out.

Thornton trying to encourage them.

Thornton wondering in amazement whats that.

The Geese were even more amazed.

The Bantams finally picked up the courage.

I either was to late in taking photographs or didn't have the camera when we put the Bantams into their new home. The Dogs could not believe their eyes, but by the time I had gone in the Farm House for the camera something else had attracted them. Thornton could not keep his eyes off of the Bantams and sat by the Ark for well over an hour as if he was guarding the Bantams. I missed a great photograph of the Leghorn Chicken inspecting her close relatives and although I got a camera to get a photograph of the Geese being nosey they were walking away as I photographed them.

Thornton may have decided that he has had enough of being a full time Sheep as for the past two nights he has knocked on the door to come in. Once in he make sure that he is in for the night by going down a dead end passage and hiding himself. As he hears us going up for the night he show himself so that he can sleep in the kitchen with the Dogs. We haven't allowed that until the past two nights just in case the Dogs decide that Thornton would make a good meal but they have all been alright with no noise. In the morning as we come down the stairs the three heads are waiting for us. Last night Thornton didn't come in until well past 10.pm after the door had been locked. We heard a knocking but have thought that the Dogs had knocked something. Did Thornton protest and bang to let us know he was waiting to come in.

Our Holiday guests have also started to have a morning visit from Thornton again. Since he has been hanging out all day and night with the Sheep he has only occasionally been visiting, but for the past two mornings he has been knocking at the cottage doors in the hope of a biscuit or two.


7:45 Wed 17 Jun 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

5 photos taken around the farm whilst on our stay this week. Vicky.

Our Wallaby Joeys are ready to be collected from Cricket St Thomas. They have been weaned since we last went to visit the Wildlife Park but we want them to be independent before coming to Denbury. Hopefully we will collect them early next week and will try to show them on a webcam.

We have needed to get a Chicken Ark today to house the Bantams. Since hatching the first batch just over 4 weeks ago they have been kept in a run in our washroom. Fortunately they are not very big and don't grow very quickly but they are now too large to be in the run that they are now in. We will fit a heat lamp in side the Ark and mix the second batch that we hatched.
7:44 Tue 16 Jun 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

We are still short of photographs.

A few pictures taken in my garden.

Large Red Damsel Flies. CH.

Common blue Damsel Flies. CH.

Tadpole eating a fish-food pellet. CH.

Greater Spotted Woodpecker on the bird feeder. CH.

Bee on a Geranium. CH.

We have been hatching eggs for a month or so, and other than a very few mistakes it has been very successful and enjoyable. We have incubated Turkey, Geese and Bantam. The Geese were the only eggs that have given problems. Out of nearly forty eggs purchased we only managed to successfully hatch two. The eggs were either not fertile or didn't make it to the full hatching time. Our own eggs from one of the Geese that we purchased a couple of months back had very good fertility and we managed to successfully hatch most of the twelve that we incubated. We have left the Goose who layed the eggs sit a few. We believe that she is sitting two now that are due to hatch if they survive on Saturday.

We have not any experience in breeding Turkeys but we are told that the are very friendly. After being told that we have decided to try to purchase and incubate Pied Turkey to keep as pets. As their name suggests they are a very attractive Black and White. Their colouring takes your eyes away from their ugly heads. We have been hatching Bronze and White Turkeys. We had a problem with splayed legs with five of the first twenty Bronze that we incubated. This was caused as the floor of the hatcher was to slippery. Those who we knew that had incubated Turkeys told us to knock them on their head as they would not ever be able to walk, but we decided to hobble their legs with strips of elasticated bandage. We thought that it was worth a try and it worked, with four of the five walking as if there was never a problem in the first place. We finished up having them for four weeks and they became very friendly, so much so that they would fly onto our shoulders like a Parrot.
7:29 Sun 14 Jun 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

We are still short of photographs. I believe todays are the first sent in by Peter.

The track to Woodchester Mansion, Gloucestershire showing the Ramson. Peter.

Recent Tall ships festival in Gloucester, showing The Matthew. A replica of the ship which John Cabot in 1497,sailed across to Newfoundland. Peter.

The remaining three are self explanatory. Peter.



6:05 Sat 13 Jun 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

These are the last photographs that we have for the Photo Page.

These are taken on the daily walk with the dog.

4 week old foal called Phantom Spirit
Phantom and Mum

Swans nesting at the side of the canal. The people in the house have made a cover over the nest.

I am still keeping an eye on Denbury even though I don't go on the forum. Thank you for all the webcams and all the work that you do. Its wonderful. Merrilyn.
7:12 Fri 12 Jun 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Only a few photographs left.

Please check out the adds.

The Keep at Richmond Castle; Julia

I'm not sure what this tower is, but the photo was taken from the top of the Keep; Julia

This plaque was set into the pavement in the Market Square, Richmond. Interesting, but it doesn't really explain HOW or WHY Robert
Willance's life was saved, does it?! Julia

When I went into the Keep, suddenly a couple of birds were flying around above my head. Eventually I realised that there was a nest at the top of the wall! Swallow, I think, judging by the red throat. Not a great photo, but you can see what it is! Julia

This is the Smalls lighthouse off the coast of Pembrokeshire and the story that goes with it. Rose W'canton

The old lighthouse was the home of an unusual level of intrigue. The first message in a bottle was successfully sent from the small island, reaching its addressee through the miles of sea, and allowing a rescue of stranded repair workers, including Whiteside himself.

More disturbingly, the old lighthouse brought about a change in lighthouse policy in 1801 after a gruesome episode. The two man team, Thomas Howell and Thomas Griffith, were known to quarrel, and so when Griffith died in a freak accident, Howell feared that he might be suspected of murder if he discarded the body into the sea. As the body began to decompose, Howell built a makeshift coffin for the corpse and lashed it to an outside shelf. Stiff winds blew the box apart, though, and the body's arm fell within view of the hut's window and caused the wind to catch it in such a way that it seemed as though it was beckoning. Working alone and with the decaying corpse of his former colleague outside Howell managed to keep the lamp lit every night.

When Howell was finally relieved from the lighthouse the effect the situation had had on him was said to be so extreme that some of his friends didn't recognise him.Lighthouse teams were changed to rosters of three from this point on until the automation of all British lighthouses in the 1980s.

Having so many Goslings with the Goose and Gander is causing a bit of a grass shortage for them all. We have needed to mow some of the grass around the Lake because there are quite a lot of weeds growing as well. We alternate mowing about 50% every two weeks believing there would be ample grass for all the Geese. As you can see by the way the Goslings are growing they are not short of food. Some of our Holiday Guests are feeding them bread and I am putting some mixed corn down at least once a day, although I may have to feed them twice a day.

We have been pulling some of the Reeds out that are in the middle of the Lake as they can cause those fishing a problem. The Geese eat the tender part at the bottom of the Reed. One of the Goslings decided to keep eating past the tender part, and this morning I found it with a whole Reed hanging from its beak, I had no chance of catching it but fortunately I was able to tread on the Reed when the Geese came on to the bank to eat. The Gosling had managed to swallow nearly two foot of the Reed and I am sure it would not have come out if I had not managed to tread on it.

Another problem that the Geese are causing is eroding the sides of the Lake when they get in and out of the water. I will need to secure a length of timber along the eroding part to stop it continuing. Now more of our Holiday Guests are fishing it was something that I would have needed to do, it has just made me do it sooner.
6:57 Thu 11 Jun 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

There are only 3 photographs left for tomorrows Photo Page.

First two photos.
In our accomodation in Wales just above the only entrance was a swallows nest , everytime we went in or out they left the nest , cant imagine the eggs will hatch as they kept getting cold. Rose W'canton

There were lots of these blue flowers. Rose W'canton

Two photos taken on the Island of Grassholme. Rose W'canton

7:16 Wed 10 Jun 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

There are only 3 photographs left for tomorrows Photo Page.

Kew Palace. Janice of Leeds

Princess Diana's Conservatory.Kew Gardens. Janice of Leeds

Waterfall outside Alpine House.Kew Gardens. Janice of Leeds

Chicken-Rhea-Ostrich Eggs.

Rhea.

Cricket St Thomas gave us three Rhea Eggs last week. They were from proven breeding stock, so we are hoping to hatch Rhea. Rhea eggs take about 40 days incubation. We put the eggs in the incubator 7 days ago so in just over a months time as long as the eggs are fertile we may be hatching the Rhea. The photograph of the three eggs show you the different sizes of the eggs compared to a Chicken egg. The Rhea egg is in the middle. The Ostrich egg would not be a good example on size, it is on the smallish size. The yolk of an Ostrich egg is approximately the size of 22 chicken eggs. Now and then when we bred Ostrich we would get a slightly cracked egg caused when being laid we would give them to a local Pub who would put them on their menu.

Rhea are in the classification of Ratites as are Ostrich and Emu. Rhea do tend to be more docile that the others and unlike Ostrich and Emu they can be kept without the need for a dangerous wild animal licence. The Hens are approximately 4 foot tall and the Cock bird about 6 foot. If we are successful with the hatching we will keep the Rhea on the Farm. If all goes well we will show the hatching on the webcam. From tomorrow the hatching webcam will be on with Bantam eggs due to hatch on Saturday. We have now 16 Bantam Chicks of various type and colours. If I get time I will show them on a webcam as there are some very well marked and coloured Birds.
6:49 Tue 09 Jun 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

These four photos were taken on the coastal path at St Davids Head , Wales last week. Rose W'canton.

The Geese at Denbury. Jenny.

I had thought that the Otter may well have made a meal of a lot of our larger Fish. After seeing the Otter on the webcam last Autumn I electric fenced the Lake, but I was still concerned that I had been to late. Some of you saw a couple of large Fish on the webcams around the Kingfisher branch, but last year I had seen a lot more and nearly every day. Those fishing this year up to this week were not catching very large Fish. The biggest this year was one being about 12lb. Other than that the largest was 6lb. Last year Fish up to 22lb were being caught, so I was still concerned.

This week one of our Holiday Guests who competes in fishing matches has come just for the fishing. On the fist day he caught over 50 Carp, one over 9lb. Early yesterday Morning he put some ground bait in to attract the Fish. Whilst putting the bait out he saw three Fish that would have been 15lb up to 20lb so if the Otter did take any Fish, it didn't take them all.

My previous experience with Otters was about 8 years ago, about two years after I had stocked the Lake. Every day I would feed the Fish in the morning and evening. One morning I found Carp Fish Scales on the Lake side. This carried on for a good while. The scales would have been from the largest Fish that we had put in to the Lake. To be honest I didn't know that we had Otters in the area then, so I did not suspect it was an Otter. A Mink maybe, so I put out Mink traps to catch it. That didn't work. It wasn't until a couple of years later that I found out that it was an Otter. Otters unlike Mink eat their catch by the side of the Lake and leave the scales. It was also likely that the Otter had a Holt with Puppies, as they rarely stay in an area for as long as the one that was eating our Fish. We also found Otter droppings around the Lake. They look like a very large piece of cigarette ash and have a not unpleasant sweet smell.
7:28 Mon 08 Jun 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Geese on Denbury Lake. Jenny.

A Ewe at Denbury. Jenny.

Thornton. Jenny.

A hatching egg in the hatcher that we had in our Cottage. Jenny.

A Goose at Denbury. Jenny.

Since last week when Thornton had his fleece sheared off he started to spend more time with the other Sheep. Until last night he would come in for his feed and go out in the morning. Last night he didn't bother to come in and stayed out with the Sheep all night. He hasn't even bothered to visit any of our Holiday Guests today to get any treat. Thornton could well have decided that he want to be a Sheep. We will soon know if we have a prolonged spell of bad weather as Thornton doesn't like to get wet.

Elsie sent in the article below about wool. When our Sheep are sheared we normally let the person doing it take the fleece. It hasn't been worth much money, but it was a way of getting rid of it. This year he didn't want to take it. The 10 fleece from our Sheep were not even worth 5 so it wasn't worth the hassle of sorting it out. We now have the problem of getting rid of it.

History of wool is an interesting yarn!

Researchers at the University of Bradford have helped unravel the woolly history of sheep domestication, by examining the animal DNA from thousands of years ago.

Scientists investigated endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), which are like genetic fossils, preserved in sheep DNA Eremnants of ancient infections caught by sheep and their ancestors thousands of years ago whose DNA has been integrated into the animal genetic code and passed on to subsequent generations.

The ability to differentiate genetically primitive sheep from more modern breeds provides valuable insights into the history of sheep domestication.

Originally sheep were used primarily for their meat, but up until now it was not known where the selection for secondary products like wool first took place.

There was also no genetic marker to differentiate primitive breeds from modern ones.

Now a study, contributed to by Dr Ingrid Mainland of the Archaeolo-gical Sciences at Bradford University, suggests the breeding of sheep for products such as wool occurred first in Southwest Asia.

Researchers believe it then spread to Europe through secondary migrations which shaped the great majority of present-day sheep.

Dr Mainland said: This project has significant implications for understanding the development of sheep husbandry, in particular the use of wool by early farmers.

The result may provide the first genetic support for a much-debated hypothesis, which suggests human selection for wool bearing sheep first occurred in Southwest Asia and then spread into Europe.E

Researchers made their conclusions through examining a particular group of ERVs within the DNA of 1,362 sheep, from 133 different breeds. By examining the ERVs they were also able to differentiate primitive breeds from the more recently domesticated animals.

The research will have wider implications Eas well as being able to differentiate primitive breeds and modern ones, it will helop in identifying and preserving rare gene pools.

The research was carried out in collaboration with Professor Massimo Palmarini, of the Institute of Comparative Medicine at the University of Glasgow.
6:28 Sun 07 Jun 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Getting short of photographs.

Lou named this nice nature and I think it sums it up. Jacqui

Im not sure what this bird is. Perhaps someone out there knows. It was taken on the Ashdown Forrest. Jacqui

An ants nest. Jacqui

Again, Im not sure what this is but Im guessing some type of dragon fly. Jacqui

These beetles decimate my lilies!! Jacqui

After previous years experiences I have been avoiding saying anything about the Geese, just in case, you know what I mean. I will mention them after what happened last night and this morning.

Last night at about 11.30pm as I do every night I go to the Lake to make sure that the electric fence was is and working. It is always possible that our Holiday Guest who fish may forget to turn the switch on when they leave the Lake. I have a tester that tell me what voltage that the fencer is giving out. If it is to low it is normally because the wire are touching the ground or a wire is broken. Last it was very low so I walked around Lake checking the wiring. The low voltage was caused by the weight of the rain on the trees leaves surrounding the Lake making the branches of the trees touch the wire causing a short. The grass was also wet that didn't help. I broke of the touching branches and flattened the grass as best that I could. On testing the fencer again it was worse than the first time. I spent a good hour trying to get it working properly without any luck. It was working but at a very low voltage. I had to hope that the Fox and Otters previous experience with electric fence would put them off of going to the Lake. It was a waste of time but I did go to the Lake at around 3.am to check.

The first thing that I did this morning after not seeing the Geese on the webcams was to go to the Lake to make sure that they were alright. As I walked around I came across a trail of Goose feathers ending with pile of about ten. As I was thinking the worse the family of eight were making their way towards me.

I have no idea if the feathers were from the Geese being attacked, from other Geese that had landed on the Lake or the Geese loosing their feathers, although there seemed to be to many for that. I don't suppose I will ever know. It did cause me a lot of work having to strim the grass under the wires and cut away overhanging trees. It was worth it as the tester is showing the fencer is at full power.

Lets hope that talking about the Geese have not jinxed them. The Gosling are changing colour and getting quite big. They are starting flap their stumps of wings. All of our Holidays Guests feed them and enjoy their antics.
6:30 Fri 05 Jun 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

I'll take ages to sort out all the photos I took in Yorkshire, but here are a few to be going on with! Julia.

A view from the Castle across Yorkshire - I didn't realise quite what a beautiful place it would be! Julia.

The two waterfalls are on the River Swale which runs through Richmond - on Saturday there were loads of people swimming in the river as well as some kids diving off the waterfalls!! I couldn't watch!! Julia.

The bridge crosses the River Swale and this photo was taken from Richmond Castle. Julia.

Yesterday Chris and I went to Morrisons in Weston Super Mare to do some shopping and there were volunteers from Secret World animal sanctuary with two of their rescue birds - Ben the Owl and Amber the Kestrel. Amazing what you get to see when you go shopping! Julia.

Article sent in by Elsie.

1.5 million bridge work delayed ... by bats

By Jo Winrow

Vital roadworks on a weak bridge have had to be scrapped at the eleventh hour until next year after experts discovered a colony of rare bats roosting underneath the structure.

The discovery of a large group of whiskered bats roosting in two of the arches of the 17th century Ireland Bridge at Bingley means the 1.5 million scheme, which was due to start next month, is likely to be put back until the New Year.

Bradford Council must adhere to strict wildlife laws as all species of bats and their roosts are protected in the UK and will have to ensure the creatures are not disturbed.

Natural England, the Government advisor on the natural environment, and an independent ecologist Peter Brooks, have been brought in to advise Council engineers.

It was agreed that carrying out the works in the New Year would provide the least disruption to the maternity roost currently in the bridge, any hibernating bats and the businesses and shoppers using the bridge in the lead-up to Christmas. Bat boxes will be installed further down the river to draw the mammals away from the bridge while the work is being carried out.

The Council will need to apply for a European Protected Species licence from Natural England to carry out the works in a way and at a time when the bats will not be harmed.

Mr Brooks said: This is a really interesting site and one of the largest roosts I have found in my career for these type of bats. It is important that we make the bridge safe but keep the bats here, and we will be working hard with Bradford Council this summer to ensure this really important roost is preserved.E

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the Council executive member for environment and culture, said: He acknowledge how important it is to ensure the preservation of this site and are therefore co-operating fully with Natural England to stay within the law and retain the environmental benefits for such a rare species in Bradford.E

Mark Brundle, a senior engineer at the Council, added: He will have to start some minor works underneath the bridge in September. This work will require the exclusion of the bats from the bridge to prevent them hibernating and the erection of suitable bat boxes a little further down the river. The works will need to be completed by the end of February so that the female bats can start building up their maternity roosts in March and April.

There are seven spans in the bridge and the bats seem to have made just a couple of them their homes, so they need to be back into those particular spans by the end of February.E

The works had been due to start in July in a 20-week closure to strengthen the 1685 Grade II listed bridge to enable it to carry two lanes of traffic again.

Coun Hawkesworth said: Once the strengthening of the bridge has been completed, it will reduce the journey time along Harden Road and restore this historic structure to meet public demands. It is a rare example of Bingley heritage and we would like to keep it for future generations.E

Peter Nottage, regional director at Natural England, said: Bats may be a fairly common sight around buildings at dusk but they are actually quite rare.

These nocturnal creatures and their roosts are therefore protected and Natural England is consulted when building work may affect them.
6:27 Wed 03 Jun 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

If it had not been for two of our Holiday Guests and Wendy having taken photographs whilst the Sheep were being sheared there would not have been a today Photograph of Thornton before shearing or the shearing in progress as I had lost the photographs that I had taken when I thought I had down loaded them.

Thornton before his hair cut. His long fleece was making him very uncomfortable. Lorraine.

Thornton's turn, little undignified. Wendy.

Shock and horror. Is it Thornton.

Thornton going off with his mates.

Ewy with her two Lambs after the remainder of her fleece being removed. There wasn't a lot left to take off.

After going through my previous years diaries I found the phone number of Alex the person who has done our Sheep Shearing in the past. He is very good and competes in shearing contests at County Shows. He came early this morning and with his Sheep dog got our Sheep into the holding pen we had put up. His dog soon rounded the Sheep up in the Horse Field and pushed them into the direction of the pen. The Sheep decided they were not going to go in the pen on the first try. Mind you that was my fault as I had decided to get my camera from the Farm House to get the photographs and there was no one to stop the Sheep from taking the only route to freedom. The second attempt with the help of a couple our Holidays Guests was successful. One of the Ewes made a dash for freedom, as she was loosing her fleece naturally it wasn't that important that she was sheared. We also managed to get Ewy captured. Most of her fleece had naturally fallen but there was still a bit to come off. Thornton followed into the pen not knowing what was going to happen.

From the pen we had made the Sheep were put into the shearing holding trailer pen that Alex had come with. The Sheep were all cramped in tight so as to make it easier to catch them when it was their turn for shearing. Alex was very fast shearing. It took him less time to shear our eleven Sheep than it had taken to round them up. Thornton didn't protest like we thought that he may have done, he was very good and I should think feels a lot cooler no that his fleece has gone. He looks a little flea bitten but should look better in a few weeks time.

Tass and Kye cant make out what has happened to Thornton. They are constantly going up to him and sniffing around him in amazement.
6:31 Tue 02 Jun 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Duck. Karen.

Hot pink water lilly in our pond. The blooms open during the night and early morning. By noon they starting folding back up. Karen, Florida (USA)

Monarch Butterfly caterpillars forming into their chrysalis (cocoons)
Karen, Florida (USA)

Two pictures taken at Kew Gardens.May 2009. Janice of Leeds.

One our Holiday Guests pointed up to a Bird who was flying high above us this afternoon. The Bird was so high that I could not see what it was other than it was the colouring of a Swallow, it wasnt, or I don't think it was as it was flying quite slow. The Bird seemed to be playing with something that was in its beak. It was letting the something fall from its beak and flying around to catch it. I saw it happen twice our Holiday Quest a few time more. Strange.

The Chicks on the Hatchery webcam are white Turkeys. Unfortunately our broken computer was repaired after the Chicks had all hatched. Tomorrow there will be Geese eggs that should be hatching any time. I must admit that we are not best pleased with the eggs that we purchased. Out of 35 eggs only one has hatched. The eggs that we got from our Geese have been very successful with all but two that we have put into the incubator hatching, with all of the Gosling being healthy. To be honest I didn't think that after moving our Geese on to Denbury that we would have had a fertile egg.

We were given three Rhea eggs from Cricket St Thomas. The eggs are from a proven pair of breeding Rhea so with a bit of luck we may have some Rhea at Denbury. The eggs are going into the incubator tonight and take between 36 to 40 days to hatch.
6:20 Mon 01 Jun 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

As promised Louise has downloaded her photos off her lap top onto my pc. Jacqui

A lovely white pigeon or dove that regularly visits the garden

Close up of a hornet which landed on her car windscreen wiper

Another shot of the hornet. I wouldnt want to be stung by one of these!

A lovely shot of a bee arriving at my bottlebrush

Manobier Castle near Tenby

A young Red Deer Stag has been visiting the Valley over the past two week. He must be staying around the Farm as although we have seen him mainly of an evening time, a couple of mornings ago I caught him on the webcam at around 7.30am.

Two of this weeks Holiday Guests on a walk with their dog last night caught sight of him, and when I went to clean the glass on the Valley webcam on Saturday evening he was at the far end of the Valley and although he had seen me he carried on grazing. I don't know how old he is but he is growing his antlers.

The Sheep were to have their fleece taken off yesterday, but we were let down at the last moment. With the good weather most Farmers are cutting their grass for silage. The person who was going to do the shearing was wanted to mow the grass. I must admit I was tempted to cut our grass for hay but the grass seed was still to small and wet to make good hay. Although it would have dried there would not have been the amount or quality that we would want. We have managed to find some one else to shear the Sheep on Wednesday morning. I will take a few photographs of them including Thornton before and after. I must admit I am a little concerned to how Thornton is going to look after. With the weather as it is they really need to have their fleece off.

In all the time I have been at Denbury I cant remember such a long spell of dry weather as we are having this year. Other than about four days we have not seen any rain at all. The Daffodils for the first time ever stayed upright from the start of growing until they have died off.

We have availability for Elm Cottage on the 20th June because of a last minute cancellation. There is a 20% reduction for that week. For any other details please phone 01823 433700.

7:23 Sun 31 May 09

One of computers crashed today, so we are working on it to try to get it going. Only Denbury Farm Cam 1 and 3 are working. Denbury Farm Cam 2 may be off for a few days.
7:29 Fri 29 May 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

The photographs on tonight's Photo Page were only just sent this evening. There are none for tomorrow.

As you seem short of photos, my daughter has a new camera and has been trying it out. The robin has 4 babies they still feed on our patio. She has a wonderful shot of a hornet. When she downloads it for me I will send it on. Jacqui ( Louises mum)
7:44 Thu 28 May 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

There are no photographs left after those on the Photo Page tonight.

ALL TOOK IN MY GARDEN. LYNNE.

BABY SPARROW. LYNNE.

MUM FEEDING BABY SPARROWS. LYNNE.

SPARROW ENJOYING A BATH. LYNNE.

ONE OF MY TAME ROBINS BABY'S. LYNNE.

MY TAME ROBIN. LYNNE.

A Jenny Wren has decided to nest by our kitchen door, inches from our head when we come and go. Other than last year one would nest in the same place every year. The previous year a Squirrel or Magpie pulled the nest apart after the Chicks had left the nest. Last year a Robin attempted to nest in the place but left the nest before the eggs had hatched. Probably we disturbed the Robin going in and out. I will try to find the time to fix a camera to show the nest.

Our three Black Swan Cygnets were delivered this afternoon, but after talking to the person who looks after the Birds at Cricket St Thomas who came with them we sent them back. I didn't realise that the Cygnets needed to be on the Lake within a few days or they may have started to have problems. We would not try to put them on the Lake until the Geese and Goslings have left, as I am sure that the Geese will attack the Cygnets if we introduced them. Our intention was to house them in one of the Stables and after letting them get use to the noise and surroundings we would have let them out to walk around the Farm Yard until the Geese had left. By all accounts that is not a good idea as they need to have some period in the water or they may get leg problems with their weight be constantly on their legs. Once the Geese have left the Lake the Cygnets will be returning.
8:23 Wed 27 May 09
There is only one day of photographs left so I will leave them for tomorrow.

We have needed to alter the way that you log into the webcams to have a cut off period after 15 minutes. All the webcams will have this restriction over the next week. Unfortunately there are to many viewer who are leaving the webcams going 24/7, many not watching them. The costs for this are far to high and if we had not had taken this action we may well have needed to close the site. We attract 10000+ unique visitors a day that cost a substantial amount of money. Those leaving the webcams running 24/7 don't help.

The hatchery webcam have Gosling on. After the failure of the first incubation of the Geese eggs we were worried that these eggs would also fail. We put the eggs from the incubator to the hatcher three days before they were due to hatch. One decided to hatch that day and it has taken four days for five to breakout. It wasn't a great success under 50%. Those Goslings that have made it look good and strong. We have had a lot better success with the Turkey and Bantams hatching. 80% of the Turkey eggs have hatched and about 65% of the Bantam. The Bantam eggs were due to hatch at the same time as the Goose eggs, as we have only one webcam working on the hatching we put a hatcher in one of our Holiday Cottages so that our Guests could see the hatching live.
7:50 Tue 26 May 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Getting really short of photograph's.

Please check the adds.

ALL TOOK AT THE TROPICAL BUTTERFLY CENTRE NEAR WORKSOP. LYNNE.

Just took this capture shot thought you might like to put on the gallery. The adults are either side and the chick is the white blob in the middle. Elaine.

Two Badger Cubs have been out for the past couple of nights, one was helping to get new bedding for the Sett. They had a bounce about and left to what looked like a hunting trip with their Mother.

It does seem that two of the Adult Badgers are missing. The most that I have seen is nine and a few on the Forum have seen nine.

By a bit luck the Swallow webcam is positioned in a place where it can be turned onto a doves nest with a pair of Dove chicks in the nest. There is a large choice of nesting Doves to pick from. They don't stop breeding and we have far to many on the Farm. We have a couple of young boys holidaying on the Farm this week and they have managed to catch a few for friend who wants them on their Farm. They may well come to regret it.

We have so many Dove that we will need to consider that we will need to cull some. I reckon that there must be well over a hundred. It wouldn't be a problem if they were not so dirty, but their droppings are every where. You can guarantee that at least a few times a day we manage to put our hands on it. Another problems with the Doves is that they will go straight to the Horses feed bowls when we feed the Horses. Branston does try to stamp on them but they still keep trying to eat his feed. For a couple of days of the Dove seeing the nets that they are caught in, they avoid feeding with the Horses, within a couple of days they go back again.
7:52 Mon 25 May 09
No diary or photographs tonight as I have been putting up the Swallow webcam. I have not counted how many eggs there are but I believe she has just started sitting them. The nest is in a very dark area of a Barn that we have been converting for ever. In the day there should be ample natural light for it to change into colour, if not I will put the lights on. The cameras inbuilt infra-red lamps has to be reset every hour, so there are going to be times when the screen will be black.
7:19 Sun 24 May 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Only one days photographs left.

Monarch Butterfly lying eggs on Milkweed in my garden. Karen, Florida (USA)

White blooms on our water lillies in our pond. Karen, Florida (USA)

We've had hard rain all week long here in Florida. My flowers are loving all this rain. Here is a picture of my Hibiscus with rain drops on edge of petals. Karen, Florida (USA)

Highland Cattle. Jill.

Bob cotton. Jill.
5:17 Sat 23 May 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

ALL TAKEN AT RUFFORD COUNTRY PARK NEAR WORKSOP.
LYNNE.
7:19 Fri 22 May 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

ALL TOOK IN MY GARDEN LAST YEAR

THRUSH. Lynne.

LONG TAILED TIT. Lynne.

YOUNG BLUE TIT. Lynne.

YOUNG BLUE TIT FEEDING. Lynne.

NUTHATCH. Lynne.

Very close to the entrance of the Farm we have found the decaying remains of a dead Badger that going from where we found it must have come from our Sett. It had been hidden by long grass that had been recently been cut. The amount of decay would have made it nearly impossible for me to see how it had died. A month or maybe not so long ago I saw eleven Badgers at one time at the main feeding site and other site below. The most I have seen recently is seven at one time. I didn't see it but a few of you put entries on the Forum that there had been quite a fight. In the Autumn this is a way of reducing the size of the Sett. The dominant Males will chase some of the younger Males away, but not normally at this time of the year. I would have expected to see most of the Sett feeding at the same time. Let me know on the Forum if you see more than seven Badgers at one time.
6:40 Thu 21 May 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Cheeky Cyril the Squirrel trying his luck on the bird feeders. Jill.

Highland cattle on Hothfield Heath. Jill.

Bog cotton. Jill.

Check out the adds it helps us and you may find some useful information,

For the second time we were caught out with the Turkey eggs hatching. The incubation period is normally 28 days, that would have been on Saturday that they were going to hatch. The intention was to put them in the hatcher today but on checking them this morning a good few of the eggs were showing sign of the Chicks breaking out (pipping) so it was a mad rush moving the Bantam Chicks from the hatcher to a box with a heat lamp above it. The hatcher needs to be thoroughly cleaned to stop any chance of the new hatched Turkeys Chicks from getting
any infections. In the hatcher the humidity is a lot higher allowing the Chicks to break through the shell of the egg easier. We have needed to help a few of the Chicks break out from the eggs already. I should think we will need to help a lot more.

We decided that until we have some success with hatching the Geese eggs we wont put any more into the incubator. There are about 40 Geese eggs in there now, some due to hatch next week and more the week after. Our Geese are still laying eggs so we have left them in the stable where the Geese are housed of a night in the hope that the Goose may sit them. This morning one decided that she was going to sit the eggs. With a bit of luck she may have more success than us.
7:37 Tue 19 May 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Garden birds feeding on dried meal worms. Clive.

We went to Cricket St Thomas this afternoon to see the new Ostrich that we purchased for them. It was collected last week but it hasn't settled in to well. When it was collected it should have been a very large Red Breed as the photograph that I put on the Photo Page, but the person who collected it decided for a number of reasons to take a Black type Ostrich.

On the first night at the Wildlife Park the new Ostrich was put into a holding area so that he could get use to the new surroundings. Somehow he got out and managed to get stuck in a muddy part of the Lake. After rescuing him he was put in a different holding area but was not at all happy. A Female Ostrich was introduced to him. That seems to have quietened him down a bit and it is hoped that he can be introduced into the main paddock Wildlife paddock shortly.

In all of the time that I kept Ostrich I never experienced any problems that the Wildlife Park have. The Ostrich was kept in an Ostrich Farm before I got him and may never had seen or been in the type of environment as the Wildlife Park,
the large area and other animals that again he may never have seen before properly stressed him out.

Whilst at the Wildlife Park we looked at the Black Swans Cygnets that we are having. They hatched in the Winter and should be ready to come to Denbury in a couple of weeks time. We have a bit of a problem of where we are going to put them. The best place would be on the Lake, but the Geese would have something to say about that wouldn't have them intruding, especially whilst they have the Goslings. There would be a lot of scrapping with the Black Swan Cygnets coming off worse. Until the Geese leave at the end of the Summer we will need to find somewhere else for the Swans to go. If I can find the time I will fence the Pond, or there is a small lagoon close to the Cottages that if we get time to clear the weeks will do temporarily.

There are also some Joey Wallaby's that have now left their Mother Pouch that we may also get very soon.

6:35 Mon 18 May 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Only one person has sent in photographs for the Photo Page. There cant be a Photo Page with out photographs.

ALL TAKEN IN THE MOSS VALLEY NEAR SHEFFIELD
LYNNE.

The Geese intruders have been coming to the Lake most days. Our pair with the Goslings are starting to get use to them and the Gander has stopped attacking them. He just marches back and forward on one side of the electric fence with the intruders on the other. Last year another pair of Geese must have nested by the pond. The area was well over grown that must have given them protection from any predators. This year other than a small area around the pond has been mowed leaving it open. As last year I did consider putting into the pond a floating island made from a pallet so that the intruder could nest. I don't think that it would be a good idea, especially as this morning the bottom two wires of the electric fence around the Lake were loose where some thing has tried to get into the Lake area.

Some of the Bantams that hatched over the weekend needed a bit of help in breaking out of the shell. Two that I needed to do had nearly broken all around the shell mid morning time. As far as I could see the Chick should not have had any problem getting out. By mid afternoon there was very little movement. On looking I could see that the Chicks were not going to get out as the membrane had dried out and was sticking to the Chicks. On breaking away the shell it looked as if I was to late to save then. I broke most of the shells away and one was having a good try, the other was all but finished, so I removed it from the shell and damped both down with water to get rid of the dry membrane and shell that was restricting their movements. It seemed to have done the trick as both after a good few hours started to look a lot better. Both seem to be alright at the moment. Although there is a chance that they may not survive. One of the two is only half of the size of the other Chicks, it is really tiny. The eggs were an assortment of eggs from various purebred Bantam that may have cross bred, so we wont know what type it is, or any of the other until they get a bit older.
8:40 Sun 17 May 09
There are no photographs for the Photo Page.

The eggs that have hatched on the Hatchery webcam are from an assortment of Bantam that we were given. Out of 14 eggs there are 10 live Chicks. Three eggs have failed to hatch and one Chick had tried to break the egg in the wrong place and died. We needed to help four of the Chicks to hatch by gently taking part of the egg shell away. The Bantam eggs were given to us from people that we had got some Geese eggs from. They have a large number of fancy Bantam so hopefully we may get a few pure bred.

We put 10 Goose eggs in another hatcher that we had hope to show on the webcam but unfortunately none are going to hatch. The embryos have died in the incubation period. We have more Goose eggs that are due to hatch over the coming weeks. After these failures we are not to confident that any will hatch. There are Turkeys and more Bantams due to hatch next week.

After a lot of running around and fencing with have finally managed to stop the Sheep from straying onto neighbours potato crop. They are staying mainly in the Horse Field. There is one gap in our fencing that they have managed om find but that leads onto our drive so that are straying local. This morning a few managed to find their way to the Lake area and were grazing around the unfenced smaller Pond. Fortunately our new gates have stopped them from leaving the Farm. Ewy has now gone back with the rest of the Sheep. She manages to feed with Breeze when we feed the Horses in the Field. We need to get the Sheep penned in shortly to get their fleeces cut off. Don't think that is going to be particularly easy. Ewy has started to lose her fleece naturally. Just as well as she would have been a nightmare to get in. Her new fleece is very dark, nearly black. I cant remember it ever being that colour before. I cant imagine that it would have changed.
2:53 Sat 16 May 09
Starting from number six there are four new photographs on the Photo Page.

I thought you might like the following pictures to post in the photo gallery, they are all of the Canada Geese that nest on a lake near where I work and there are some pictures of ducklings with their mum on the water. Bec.
7:00 Fri 15 May 09
Starting from number one there are six new photographs on the Photo Page.

Photos taken in our local park, Edwards Gardens, which is City owned. The flowers and bushes in this park are beautiful but still early for many flowers here.

The Bridal Bridge - brides like to have their photos taken here. This is a new bridge since in the winter of 97, the Bridal Bridge along with others in the park, and the river edges, were washed away after a massive storm. Repairs are ongoing - will cost millions of dollars to put as it was.

A yellow Magnolia tree - they say this one will grow to 25 feet tall.

Another shot taken in the park.

Rosie's Mum in Toronto.

The beautiful white beaches of the Outer Hebrides.Lindsay.

Ullapool,North West Scotland.Lindsay.
9:06 Thu 14 May 09
There is only one day photographs left so I will leave them until tomorrow.

I was speaking to the owner of a Fishery yesterday about the chemical that we need to get so that those who fish at the Farm are able to disinfect their landing nets to make sure that there is no disease put into our Lake. We got onto the subject of the Otter and the problems that they causing to fisheries with the fish that they are killing. One of our Holiday Guest showed me a fishing magazine a couple of weeks ago. In the magazine were photographs of fish up to 40lb, worth a 1000 or more that had been killed by the Otters. The fish had been savaged with a couple of bites. The bites killed the fish but most of it was still left. This is what the Otter does. It goes from fish to fish killing them with out eating all of the fish.

Although the Otter is a threat to our Fish I do think that they are a magnificent animal and should be protected. Like the Badger and other protected species they need protecting. What I do disagree with is Otters being released into areas that don't have them. In the wild animals breeding increase the numbers and their territories naturally. Nature will only allow the spread of any wild animal if the conditions are right. Otter hunting came about as they were in competition for food with humans for the fish in the rivers, streams and lakes. The hunting caused the Otter to

Unfortunately a lot of Otters are dieing in the South caused by a mystery parasite. The parasite is a flat worm that live in the Otters gall bladder and infecting their liver. It was introduced into this Country from Eastern Europe in ornamental fish. Some of the fish escaped from private ponds and found their way to the Somerset Levels. The Otter eats the infected raw fish and gets the parasite. Trouble is that there is a possibility it will infect other wildlife, cats and dogs and even humans.

Somerset, Devon and Dorset are the most infected areas of the parasite but it has also been found in other parts of the South. There is no known cure as the parasite is still a mystery. It seems to me that any release of Otters is undesirable until the parasite is identified and a cure is found.
5:49 Wed 13 May 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

A footpath called the Devil's Back-bone named by the shape of the path, linking South hinksey to New Hinsey near Oxford. Clive.

Grandpont nature reserve, this used to be the site of the old Oxford gas-works. Clive.

Railway bridge over the Thames at Osney with "boneys" footbridge in the back ground. Clive.

Narrow boat on the Thames at Osney with the old power station in the back ground. Clive.

Horse Chestnut Tree on the tow-path at Iffley. Clive.

As I was on my way to feed the Badgers last evening one of last years Cubs was walking towards me about 30 yards away. He was probably making his way back to the Sett in time for the food that I put down and would have turned onto the path towards the Sett before we go near to each other. It must have been in a world of its own as he was walking quite slowly. We both got to the path towards the Sett at the same time, and the youngster still had not seen me. Another youngster was also on the path at the turn, so it was a three way meeting with us all being within 4 feet of each other. The Badger on the path knew who I was there and unhurriedly knowing turned towards the Sett. It was then that the first Badger saw me. I have never seen a Badger move so fast. It spun around and was a distant blob in under 2 second.

The second Badger that was on the path is one that waits for me to feed them most evenings. As I climb over the gate it is waiting within a few feet of me and follows me just out of sight of the camera and appears close to the Sett entrance when I put the feed down.

Elsie want to know about Thornton. Thornton is spending some time with the Sheep. After breakfast Thornton goes to the Holiday Cottages on the scrounge. If he can scrounge enough he will hang around, if not he joins the Sheep in the Horse Field. He has a couple of favorites that he is with more than the others. He is fascinated with the Lambs and the Lambs with Thornton. The other evening whilst we were fencing to keep the Sheep in the Horse Field we saw Thornton laying with the Sheep surrounded by the Lambs. Thornton doesn't want to be a Sheep full time. He can always be found of an evening close to the Field Gate waiting to be called for his dinner. After dinner he settle himself in his sleeping place.
7:12 Mon 11 May 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Oystercatcher,Bantry Bay,Southern Ireland. Lindsay.

Little Egret,Bantry Bay in Southern Ireland. Lindsay.

Sea Pink everywhere in May on the Outer Hebrides. Lindsay.

The Torridon Mountains. North West Scotland. Lindsay.

Entrance to Loch Ness at Fort Augustus,the Highlands of Scotland. Lindsay.
6:05 Sun 10 May 09
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.
8:01 Sat 09 May 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

These are the last photographs that I have.

2 VIEWS OVER THE LADYBOWER DAMS NEAR SHEFFIELD. LYNNE

MILLSTONES IN DERBYSHIRE. LYNNE

DUCK BEING DIVE BOMBED. LYNNE

SOME KIND OF GULL. LYNNE

We are getting a few Heron visiting the Lakes over the past weeks. I suppose we get a least one most days but don't see them. I should think that they must have young and are wanting to feed them. We try to remember to check on the webcam around the Lake so that we can chase them off. This morning there was a very persistent Heron who when he was chased away was flying around in a circle to land on on Lake then the other. I had to go out four times before it finally flew away.

The Geese were hiding their Goslings under their wings and were watching whilst the Heron was around. The Goslings would make a good meal for the Heron. As soon as the Heron had gone the Goslings were out and feeding. At this time of the year with the Fish spawning they are also an easy meal for the Heron. The Fish spawn in the reeds on the edge of the Lake. It is a bit of a frenzy with many male Fish chasing a female trying to fertilise her eggs. Many times we can see the frenzied group half out of the water, allowing a Heron to catch the smaller Fish or to stab the larger Fish with its long beak, scarring or killing them. The Heron wouldn't be my favorite Bird.
5:18 Fri 08 May 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

Some of the colours at Denbury this afternoon.

Marsh Marigold on the edge of the Lake. Going over a bit, I should have taken the photograph last week when you could see very little green.

Apple Blossom in the Orchard.

Bluebells in Ash Wood. One of Jades special places.

More Bluebells.

Wild Garlic in Denbury Wood. All of the Wood is a Carpet of white.

Living at Denbury we at times forget what a beautiful place it is. I thought that you may like to share some of the special places at this time of the year. The Whole Valley is alive with the smell of the Wild Garlic. As I was taking the photograph of the Garlic I startled three Deer who were within twenty feet of me in the Wood. A young Vixen making her way towards the Farm House turned back when she caught sight of me as I was coming out of the Wood. Just as well with the Chickens and Geese in the Farm Yard and surrounding area.

Eleven of the Turkey Chicks have gone leaving us with six. four of the eggs did not hatch and one Chick died at the hatching. We made a mistake with the hatching by leaving the hatching tray uncovered, it was to slippery for the Chicks. This caused three of the Chicks that we kept to have splayed legs and they were unable to stand. We have hobbled the splayed legs with cut strips of elasticated bandage. The Chicks can now stand but if they fall on to their backs they are unable to roll on to their front and we have to turn them over so that they can stand up. We are hoping that the splayed legs will get right being hobbled. There is a a chance with odds against it that they wont. The Chicks are still in the Hatcher and will stay in there until we have to put the Geese eggs in it. That should be Tuesday or Wednesday next week. If the Chicks are able to walk properly I will put the webcam back on.

After speaking with other who have incubated Geese eggs we are told that they are quite difficult and that we may well finish up with no Goslings. We will see how it goes. If we are unlucky then we will let our Geese incubate their own eggs.

One Lady put an entry on the Forum twice over the past few days that at work she has numerous streams running at the same time, all minimised so that she can quickly look at them in between work. I would appreciate any of you doing so, not to. I am charged for every webcam that you have on. You cant watch two things at once. I cant and I don't know any one who can. The donations that some of you have sent in, and the Google adds, that again some of you are accessing (thank you) is just about making it possible for us to continue. Leaving more than one webcam on, and also leaving them on when you are not watching them is causing unnecessary costs that in the end I wont want to pay, and the site will have to close.
8:11 Thu 07 May 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

1, Male Bullfinch. Vicky.

2, Male Chaffinch. Vicky.

3, Speckled wood butterfly. Vicky.

4, Angle Shades Moth. Vicky.

5, Joey the Donkey. Vicky.
6:32 Wed 06 May 09
Here are some photos for the gallery, the first two are from my backyard feeders and the rest are from my trip to San Diego. Penny Chicago Chicago Chicago.

Sorry not got a lot of time to do a Diary. Our Sheep are being a pain. They are going into our neighbours Field on the other side of the Wood. The Field has been planted with potatoes and the Sheep will eat the new growth. We electric fenced the Field yesterday that stopped the Sheep from going into the Wood but this morning they decided to go into the Valley Field and get into the Wood from there. So we have more fencing to do.

Whilst I was fixing the camera into the egg hatcher I heard a cheep from the incubator. I really didn't take a lot of notice of it until I heard another. An egg had hatched. I had worked it out that the hatch would be on Friday so it could have been an early Chick and that the others would hatch on Friday, but there was a rush to get the hatcher ready just in case. Just as well for when we checked this morning the hatch was well on its way. We have needed to help three Chicks from the shell and one died. There are four eggs up to now that have not hatched, that may be as the embryo died late in the incubation. There is still a possibility that they will hatch and I will give them a couple of days before we give up on them.

I did not have time to get any info on the Peregrine Falcon webcam.

Attempts were made today to fix the Barn Owl Webcam. Unfortunately there seems to be a problem with the computer working the webcams. It will be fixed. I will give you more information as soon as I know.
8:13 Tue 05 May 09
The Peregrine Falcon webcam went live today. I don't know a lot about it. I will speak to SWT The Fall of the Clyde tomorrow and let you know more.

There will not be a Diary tonight as we are getting the Hatchery webcam ready. We tried it at about 7.45pm and it is working well. Hopefully it will be broadcasting when the eggs are due to hatch. It should be over the next few days.
5:23 Mon 04 May 09
Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

ALL TOOK AT RUFFORD COUNTRY PARK. LYNNE.

I WONT BE FEEDING THE BADGERS UNTIL 8.45PM

I have not been watching the webcams a lot after I feed the Badgers, so I didn't realise that the Rooks had been taking most of the Badger bread before the Badgers came out. It was only because some of our Holiday Guests had wanted to go to the hide last night after I had fed the Badgers that I realised. I don't normally let people go up to the hide after I have fed the Badgers in case it disturbs them, but on looking I could see that there was very little bread left.

The Rook Chicks will leave their nests over the next two days, the 5th and 6th of May so the parents a busily feeding them and will do until they can fly so the Badger food is easy pickings.

All of the twelve Geese and six Chickens are free range now, other than three new Chickens that we got on Saturday. We put all them away at night. The Chickens have got use to being shut up of a night and are all in their house by eightish. The Geese haven't learnt yet but they are not a lot of bother getting them into their Stable. Hopefully they will learn to house themselves soon. It is nice seeing all of them around the Farm, and our Holiday Guests enjoy them and the fresh eggs that we supply. The Fox is a concern as they will try to get both the Geese and Chickens. Unfortunately that is nature and other than keep them locked up all day there is not a lot you can do about the Fox. Badger also will take Chickens and Geese but as the Badger is rarely out in the day he is not such a threat when they are housed of a night.

All of the first Chicken that we got are now laying eggs. A little small at the moment as this is the first time that they have produced eggs, but they are getting larger. Mind you we have had a couple of double yolkers. At first they were laying here, there and every where, but over the past couple of days they have been going back to their house to lay their eggs. A couple of the Geese are also laying. These we are incubating as we have seen the Gander mating with the Geese.


6:25 Sat 02 May 09
Starting from number one there are five new photographs on the Photo Page, sent in by Elsie that go with the artical below.


Jasmine

In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog.. It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused.

In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a Greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, run by a man named Geoff Grewcock and known as a willing haven for Animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need. Click for-?http://www.warwickshirewildlifesanctuary.co.uk/index.htm
Geoffand the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved.

They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.

But Jasmine had other ideas. No-one remembers now how it began, but she started welcoming all Animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn't matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting Animal, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.

Geoff relates one of the early incidents. "We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terriercross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them."

"But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.

"She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose."

Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary's resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.

And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the Roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted.


"They are inseparable," says Geoff "Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary. It's a real treat to see them."

Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next Orphan or victim of abuse.

From left, Toby, a stray Lakeland dog; Bramble, orphaned Roe deer; Buster, a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; Sky, an injured barn owl; and Jasmine with a Mothers heart doing best what a caring Mother would do.... Such is the order of God's Creation.

6:33 Fri 01 May 09
Starting from number ten there are six new photographs on the Photo Page.

Grey Heron,RSPB reserve Saltholme. Lindsay.

Little Egret, Nosterfield nature reserve,North Yorkshire. Lindsay.

" No fish today" Marske by the Sea. Lindsay.

The Ostrich that we have got for Cricket St Thomas.

2 x Photograps of Faith to go wioth the artical below thay was sent in by Elsie.

Thisis 'Faith'
This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with 3 Legs - 2 healthy hind legs and 1 abnormal front leg which needed to be amputated. He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his Mother did not want him.

His first owner also did not think that he could survive. Therefore, he as thinking of 'putting him to sleep'.

By this time, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him. She was determined to teach and train this dog to walk by himself. Therefore she named him 'Faith'.

In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfing board to let him feel the Movements.
Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him to stand up and jump around.
Even the other dog at home also helped encourage him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his 2 hind legs and jumped to move forward.
After further training in the snow, he now can walk like a human being. Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he just attracts All the people around him.
He is now becoming famous on the international scene. He has appeared on various newspapers and TVshows.
There is even one book entitled 'With a little faith' being published about him. He was even considered to appear in one of Harry Potter Movies.

His present owner Jude Stringfellew has given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world to preach that even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul'. In life there are always undesirable things. Perhaps one will feel better If one changes the point of view from another direction. I hope this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to everyone and that everyone can appreciate and be thankful for each beautiful day that Follows.
Faith is the continual demonstration of the
strength of Life.
5:35 Thu 30 Apr 09
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.
5:53 Wed 29 Apr 09
Starting from number one there are four new photographs on the Photo Page.

If we had not received Tom and Roses photographs there would not have been any for tonight. There are none for tomorrow.

Remember to click.

My daughters recent visit to Zambia, these are from Victoria Falls area. Tom and Rose.

We had two female kune kune piglets to look at today. They were quite close to the Farm and on the way to Cricket St Thomas. I needed to go to the Wildlife Park as Hannibal the Ostrich that we have given them a eight years ago had died after being kicked by a Zebra. I have managed to find a replacement for Hannibal and went to discuss it with them.

Like most Zoos and Wildlife Parks there is very little buying and selling of Animals. They tend to exchange or give. I have always done the same and I knew that I would finish up doing it this time.

Hannibal was a Blue type Ostrich, standing an imposing nearly 9 foot tall. He was one of my favorites and I was pleased that we found the Wildlife Park as his home. He was about fifteen years old, having a good fifty years of his life left if it had not been for the accident. I thought that finding a replacement would be difficult but within a couple of phone calls I managed to find a breeder in Essex who was selling all of his Birds. The breeders main type of Ostrich is Black, the smallest type of Ostrich, but he did have one Red Type Ostrich that are the largest of the breed. As long as it is OK that is what Cricket will be having. I am waiting for a photograph to be sent. When I get it I will show you it on the Photo Page. We are getting a pair of Wallaby's in exchange. Not sure what they will be yet. Could be a couple of Joeys when they are ready to leave the pouch. If I can twist an arm it maybe a Male and Female and a joey in the pouch. As soon as I know you will be the first to know.

The visit to the Wildlife Park turned out to be very good. We have been given three Black Swans. This time they wont fly away. And we have been promised a few Rhea Eggs if they start laying.

On the way back from the Wildlife Park we went to see the Kune Kune Piglets. I must admit part of the visit was to see if the Pig that we went to get last Sunday was a good example of the size. The breed is described as small, but the adult we went to buy was not far short of the size of a domestic Pig. The Mother of the Piglets we saw today was in fact even a little bigger. After seeing them it didn't take me long to decide that we were not going to be the owner of any Kune Kune. The idea as they are a very friendly breed of Pig, would have been for them to be free range. Unfortunately although they graze we have seen signs that like all Pigs, and these are no different, they root. Rooting free range Pigs and lawns don't mix. I also believe that younger Children would find them with their looks and size a little menacing.

The Hatching webcam page can now be accessed from the Home Page. The Hatcher was delivered today. Our first eggs to hatch will be going in next week.

5:10 Tue 28 Apr 09
Starting from number eleven there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.

These are the last photographs that I have.

These are all photos taken in my garden.

Fox - Merrilyn

My dog Mick - I have had him about 9 years - He was a rescued dog - Merrilyn

Goldcrest - Merrilyn

Goldfinch - Merrilyn

Mr and Mrs Bullfinch - Merrilyn

After the run around that we had on Sunday to collect the Kune Kune, I am not to sure that I would want the bother of going all that way back this weekend. There never seems to be enough time in a day as it is. So for sure I don't want to waste this Sunday. There is another alternative that I will let you know if I decide against going back.

What we did see when we went to collect the Kune Kune was the Chew Valley water complex that some of the Ospreys on there way to Africa drop off at. It would have been good to have had a look around if we had the time.

I finished fencing around the Lake today. There are now six strands of electric fencing wire up to as height of about 32 inches, the bottom five being about 4 inches apart, the top six inches from the last. This will stop the Otters from making a meal of our Fish and should stop the Fox from taking the Geese and Goslings. So that our Holiday Guests are able to get to the Lake we have put in two gates at opposite ends. There is a big red switch to turn the fencer on and off. It cant be missed so hopefully we have done enough to protect the Fish and the Geese.

All is on course for the Egg Hatching webcam. The Hatcher we hope to have this week and the page that will access the new webcam should be on the home page in a day or so.

SWT told me that they have sorted out the problem with the new Peregrine Falcon webcam. It is hoped that it will be working next Tuesday.

7:20 Mon 27 Apr 09
Starting from number osix there are ONLY THREE new photographs on the Photo Page.

There are ONLY FIVE more photographs left for tomorrows Photo Page.

Gannets perched on Bempton Cliffs,near Flamborough Head, North Yorkshire. Lindsay.

Male and female Gadwall.Lindsay.

As its name suggests it flicks the pebbles on the beach,hence the name Turnstone.They are remarkably tame.Lindsay.

The drive to collect the Kune Kune was about 50 miles. We must have pasted within minute from where Julia and Chris live. If we had her address we may have popped in for a cup of tea. I don't think they would have enjoyed that visit much, with the way I was ranting.

The Pigs are kept in a large Garden, not what we had expected. Two Gilts one having a litter of Piglets from which our male was coming from and the Female that we were having.

After doing the Ministry paperwork we went to get our Female. She was not what I had imagined, she