Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[RED-DOG]

Great pics of the wren Geo, they can be devils to catch with a camera they never hold still.

Great idea with the Grandson, my Dad put a lot of time into getting a love of the hills & wildlife into me when I was a boy & it's stuck with me forever. He's a lucky boy.

You should see the effort I've put in with Tony.

I think he'll benefit from it as he gets older though....

[millidonk]

Incred photos itt from over the weekend. Keep it up!!

[Geo the Sarge]

Great pics of the wren Geo, they can be devils to catch with a camera they never hold still.

Great idea with the Grandson, my Dad put a lot of time into getting a love of the hills & wildlife into me when I was a boy & it's stuck with me forever. He's a lucky boy.

Cheers Rod, a lot of the info gained on here from the likes of yourself, Red and Junior have been incredibly helpful.

Whilst working up to our trip next year I'll be looking to get out and about with him as much as I can, however my knowledge is limited. Not backward in coming forward, I might call on your expertise in the coming months.

Geo

[Geo the Sarge]

I've given myself a challenge for this year which is not walk/trip related.

We live in a block of eight, 2 up and have a patch of ground in the back green. We have never used it and it's been the same for everyone else in the block apart from the ground flats who have front and backs.

My challenge is to clear the back green area. There are many birds in and around the area we don't get the benefit of so I intend to clear this area, build a "den"....................when I say a den I'm thinking of some habitable hut type construction where the wee man and I can spend some time and create an area around that the birds will wish to visit.

I am off this week so start this tomorrow, no mean task:

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

Would appreciate any guidance/advice on best ways of clearing this (big machinery not an option).

Geo

[outragous76]

Start with a strimmer to cut the grass (decent petrol one)

Then go down to the shops, buy a shed load  of burgers, sausages, bread buns and beer and invite all your mates around for a working party.

Looks like a "man-power" job to me

[millidonk]

Buy a few gallons of potent grass and weed killer, drench the place, sit back and watch it all die, sweep it up and you are good to go. It probably wont be that simple.. looking forward to the after pics.

[Rod Paradise]

Great pics of the wren Geo, they can be devils to catch with a camera they never hold still.

Great idea with the Grandson, my Dad put a lot of time into getting a love of the hills & wildlife into me when I was a boy & it's stuck with me forever. He's a lucky boy.

Cheers Rod, a lot of the info gained on here from the likes of yourself, Red and Junior have been incredibly helpful.

Whilst working up to our trip next year I'll be looking to get out and about with him as much as I can, however my knowledge is limited. Not backward in coming forward, I might call on your expertise in the coming months.

Geo

Always happy to help Geo, you already know how to observe rather than just see, you've got photos and videos I've never managed, it's just the tying the observation with the bird identification & just comes with identifying more and more. You'll get that you've a good idea of a bird's type from a fleeting glimpse. I got most of mine through birdnesting as a kid - not a way I'd recommend for anybody to try now though. Taking the wee man out and having a bit of competition will get you both going I reckon. BTW this is a great time of year for owl spotting - the days are so long they're hunitnga lot more at dusk & the barnowls are beautiful when it's not fully dark. Saw 3 last night bringing my Mum back from Prestwick, and proper long looks at them as well - even my Mum & my girlfirend saw them.

All excited at the moment - my neighbour saw a red kite only about 3 miles from the house. We've known of some down the valley, but this is the first sighting I know of this far up. They're a beautiful soaring bird & I can't wait to see them regularly.

[tikay]

Great pics of the wren Geo, they can be devils to catch with a camera they never hold still.

Great idea with the Grandson, my Dad put a lot of time into getting a love of the hills & wildlife into me when I was a boy & it's stuck with me forever. He's a lucky boy.

Cheers Rod, a lot of the info gained on here from the likes of yourself, Red and Junior have been incredibly helpful.

Whilst working up to our trip next year I'll be looking to get out and about with him as much as I can, however my knowledge is limited. Not backward in coming forward, I might call on your expertise in the coming months.

Geo

Always happy to help Geo, you already know how to observe rather than just see, you've got photos and videos I've never managed, it's just the tying the observation with the bird identification & just comes with identifying more and more. You'll get that you've a good idea of a bird's type from a fleeting glimpse. I got most of mine through birdnesting as a kid - not a way I'd recommend for anybody to try now though. Taking the wee man out and having a bit of competition will get you both going I reckon. BTW this is a great time of year for owl spotting - the days are so long they're hunitnga lot more at dusk & the barnowls are beautiful when it's not fully dark. Saw 3 last night bringing my Mum back from Prestwick, and proper long looks at them as well - even my Mum & my girlfirend saw them.

All excited at the moment - my neighbour saw a red kite only about 3 miles from the house. We've known of some down the valley, but this is the first sighting I know of this far up. They're a beautiful soaring bird & I can't wait to see them regularly.

They seem to be plentiful "down south" Rod, & there are loads by the southern end of M40, & on the M1 near Milton Keynes.

I pulled off the M40 on Friday just to watch them, it was a windy day, & they seemed to be "playing" in the wind, flying round & round, very low indeed, & so easy to watch. They don't flap their wings much in those conditions, just "fettle" & adjust, & they have a huge wing-span. It's an amazing privelege to be able to see them so often, & close. Very beautiful birds, & a spectacular sight.

I rarely see raptors, just the occasional kestrel doing their hover trick, but I'm hoping to see some eagles up in North West Scotland in October.

[Rod Paradise]

Start with a strimmer to cut the grass (decent petrol one)

Then go down to the shops, buy a shed load  of burgers, sausages, bread buns and beer and invite all your mates around for a working party.

Looks like a "man-power" job to me

+1

A billhook should manage to trim back most of the bushes - doesn't look to be too think trunks.

[Rod Paradise]

Great pics of the wren Geo, they can be devils to catch with a camera they never hold still.

Great idea with the Grandson, my Dad put a lot of time into getting a love of the hills & wildlife into me when I was a boy & it's stuck with me forever. He's a lucky boy.

Cheers Rod, a lot of the info gained on here from the likes of yourself, Red and Junior have been incredibly helpful.

Whilst working up to our trip next year I'll be looking to get out and about with him as much as I can, however my knowledge is limited. Not backward in coming forward, I might call on your expertise in the coming months.

Geo

Always happy to help Geo, you already know how to observe rather than just see, you've got photos and videos I've never managed, it's just the tying the observation with the bird identification & just comes with identifying more and more. You'll get that you've a good idea of a bird's type from a fleeting glimpse. I got most of mine through birdnesting as a kid - not a way I'd recommend for anybody to try now though. Taking the wee man out and having a bit of competition will get you both going I reckon. BTW this is a great time of year for owl spotting - the days are so long they're hunitnga lot more at dusk & the barnowls are beautiful when it's not fully dark. Saw 3 last night bringing my Mum back from Prestwick, and proper long looks at them as well - even my Mum & my girlfirend saw them.

All excited at the moment - my neighbour saw a red kite only about 3 miles from the house. We've known of some down the valley, but this is the first sighting I know of this far up. They're a beautiful soaring bird & I can't wait to see them regularly.

They seem to be plentiful "down south" Rod, & there are loads by the southern end of M40, & on the M1 near Milton Keynes.

I pulled off the M40 on Friday just to watch them, it was a windy day, & they seemed to be "playing" in the wind, flying round & round, very low indeed, & so easy to watch. They don't flap their wings much in those conditions, just "fettle" & adjust, & they have a huge wing-span. It's an amazing privelege to be able to see them so often, & close. Very beautiful birds, & a spectacular sight.

I rarely see raptors, just the occasional kestrel doing their hover trick, but I'm hoping to see some eagles up in North West Scotland in October.

Aye, it's strange but they've spread far better into the South of England than they have into the 'wilds' up here. Although at their peak they were more prevalent in urban areas living off refuse, London had thousands. When I've to go to Reading/Bracknell with work I really enjoy seeing them.

I've a bit of a personal challenge though - I want to see the raptors near to home. So far I've seen:
From the house:
Kestrels (had a pair nest within sight of kitchen window)
Buzzards
Sparrowhawks
Barn Owl
Tawny Owl
Merlin Hawk

Within 5 miles:
Golden Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
Short-eared Owl
Hen Harrier

Don't know why it's such a big thing for me apart from I suppose it's my own patch & I like to see my territory flourishing.

[Geo the Sarge]

Start with a strimmer to cut the grass (decent petrol one)

Then go down to the shops, buy a shed load  of burgers, sausages, bread buns and beer and invite all your mates around for a working party.

Looks like a "man-power" job to me

+1

A billhook should manage to trim back most of the bushes - doesn't look to be too think trunks.

I have my machette for the trees and a couple of axes if needed. When we moved here 11 years ago the trees didn't exist!!

Will be leaving a couple up once I've decided how I'm going to lay it out. It's the bramble bushes at the back which will prove most difficult I think. Gonna create a burning area and chop/scythe/trim and burn methinks.

It's a huge area so plenty of scope.

Unfortunately most of my mates are spread around the globe, mostly either still serving or doing private security. Wouldn't wish my civvi work colleagues on anyone as mates tbh.

Geo

[Geo the Sarge]

Great pics of the wren Geo, they can be devils to catch with a camera they never hold still.

Great idea with the Grandson, my Dad put a lot of time into getting a love of the hills & wildlife into me when I was a boy & it's stuck with me forever. He's a lucky boy.

Cheers Rod, a lot of the info gained on here from the likes of yourself, Red and Junior have been incredibly helpful.

Whilst working up to our trip next year I'll be looking to get out and about with him as much as I can, however my knowledge is limited. Not backward in coming forward, I might call on your expertise in the coming months.

Geo

Always happy to help Geo, you already know how to observe rather than just see, you've got photos and videos I've never managed, it's just the tying the observation with the bird identification & just comes with identifying more and more. You'll get that you've a good idea of a bird's type from a fleeting glimpse. I got most of mine through birdnesting as a kid - not a way I'd recommend for anybody to try now though. Taking the wee man out and having a bit of competition will get you both going I reckon. BTW this is a great time of year for owl spotting - the days are so long they're hunitnga lot more at dusk & the barnowls are beautiful when it's not fully dark. Saw 3 last night bringing my Mum back from Prestwick, and proper long looks at them as well - even my Mum & my girlfirend saw them.

All excited at the moment - my neighbour saw a red kite only about 3 miles from the house. We've known of some down the valley, but this is the first sighting I know of this far up. They're a beautiful soaring bird & I can't wait to see them regularly.

They seem to be plentiful "down south" Rod, & there are loads by the southern end of M40, & on the M1 near Milton Keynes.

I pulled off the M40 on Friday just to watch them, it was a windy day, & they seemed to be "playing" in the wind, flying round & round, very low indeed, & so easy to watch. They don't flap their wings much in those conditions, just "fettle" & adjust, & they have a huge wing-span. It's an amazing privelege to be able to see them so often, & close. Very beautiful birds, & a spectacular sight.

I rarely see raptors, just the occasional kestrel doing their hover trick, but I'm hoping to see some eagles up in North West Scotland in October.

Aye, it's strange but they've spread far better into the South of England than they have into the 'wilds' up here. Although at their peak they were more prevalent in urban areas living off refuse, London had thousands. When I've to go to Reading/Bracknell with work I really enjoy seeing them.

I've a bit of a personal challenge though - I want to see the raptors near to home. So far within I've seen:
From the house:
Kestrels (had a pair nest within sight of kitchen window)
Buzzards
Sparrowhawks
Barn Owl
Tawny Owl
Merlin Hawk

Within 5 miles:
Golden Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
Short-eared Owl
Hen Harrier

Don't know why it's such a big thing for me apart from I suppose it's my own patch & I like to see my territory flourishing.

Sure you've told me before Rod but where are you?

Geo

[Rod Paradise]

Start with a strimmer to cut the grass (decent petrol one)

Then go down to the shops, buy a shed load  of burgers, sausages, bread buns and beer and invite all your mates around for a working party.

Looks like a "man-power" job to me

+1

A billhook should manage to trim back most of the bushes - doesn't look to be too think trunks.

I have my machette for the trees and a couple of axes if needed. When we moved here 11 years ago the trees didn't exist!!

Will be leaving a couple up once I've decided how I'm going to lay it out. It's the bramble bushes at the back which will prove most difficult I think. Gonna create a burning area and chop/scythe/trim and burn methinks.

It's a huge area so plenty of scope.

Unfortunately most of my mates are spread around the globe, mostly either still serving or doing private security. Wouldn't wish my civvi work colleagues on anyone as mates tbh.

Geo

Good thick leather gloves and chop away for brambles Geo - horrible things to clear.  A proper Martindale No2 issue golok/machete is it? very popular with the Ray Mears bushcraft mob those.

Bramble canes can be useful though - this guy makes some useful baskets etc with them: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81721&highlight=basket+brambles - he's a talented devil though - me not so much...

[Rod Paradise]

Sure you've told me before Rod but where are you?

Geo

Sanquhar in Dumfriesshire.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&q=sanquhar&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x48629eda344fc03f:0xb064eb2e0e870f7b,Sanquhar,+Dumfries+and+Galloway&gl=uk&ei=cOvVT7yXFJKq8APynvyCAw&oi=geocode_result&ved=0CBsQ8gEwAQ

BTW those sightings are since I was 10. Only seen 1 golden eagle in all that time.

[RioRodent]

Sure you've told me before Rod but where are you?

Geo

Sanquhar in Dumfriesshire.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&q=sanquhar&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x48629eda344fc03f:0xb064eb2e0e870f7b,Sanquhar,+Dumfries+and+Galloway&gl=uk&ei=cOvVT7yXFJKq8APynvyCAw&oi=geocode_result&ved=0CBsQ8gEwAQ

BTW those sightings are since I was 10. Only seen 1 golden eagle in all that time.

Ha, small'ish world.. just a stone's throw from a cottage where me and my wife have spent a couple of holidays.

Here - http://goo.gl/maps/WpbI