Snake Update

I found the snake again today and it is a Grass Snake I believe. This time I had a camera so if anyone has a different opinion, here it is.

May Update

As the last day of May 2008 emerges from the Cornish mist, I thought that I would review odds and ends that have happened.

Before I start, I would like to carry out a survey of anyone who is reading this so, click on Comment and just say hello, or make a comment, and I will then know that I am not just talking to two people - thanks.

Birds:
Today, for the first time, I saw two Goldfinches on the feeder at the same time. Also this month, for the first time since we moved here, I have seen the odd Starling; I would have expected more of them. A couple of days ago I saw some sort of hawk, maybe Sparrowhawk, being mobbed by three crows. The only other bird of prey seen was a lone Buzzard. We could do with something, anyone got a Harris Hawk?, a shotgun?, or are related to the Dingles in Emmerdale? (or Peggy Armstrong in Heartbeat) to deal with:

Rabbits:
These very cute animals are breeding like, well rabbits and are everywhere. I shall have to erect more protective fencing to deter them from reaching the garden.

This one was about 6" long!!

Flowers:
Most of the flowers in the garden are on shrubs but I did like this photograph of the Arum Lily that is just outside the conservatory:

In parts of the garden I encourage wild flowers, particularly Foxgloves; the ones shown below I found in the top field and was so taken with that I transplanted some onto the Turf Wall. Now, who is the expert who can tell me what they are?

Finally, as it has been a tremendous time for May Blossom, I have included the following photo of part of the bank adjacent to our lower field. The yellow bush is Broom but is past its best and the Rhododendrons are not fully formed yet.

And so to June, I wonder what it will bring?

Fox Alert

Today was a first for me as, at about 10:30 this morning, I got to within about ten yards of a fox in the garden. It was scrabbling about in the bushes on the left hand side of the main garden, presumably scavenging for some bread that I had put out for the birds. It soon dashed off to the bottom of the garden, over the wall and into the rough area below the field. That seems to confirm what happened to the various bits of rabbit that we have found recently, with the latest today (two legs). Recently Brandy was seen rushing around the garden with something in his mouth; when Clive caught him, he was extremely reluctant to let go of another rabbit leg; Clive subsequently found another two legs. Oh well, there are still plenty of rabbits left, so there might be some fat foxes around!