Our Forest of Bowland Holiday Cottages One of the animals that has not only survived but positively thrived in the extreme winter weather is the mole. Mole hills seem to be popping up every way you look. On Saturday I could put it off no longer and the traps were retrieved from the depths of the garage and with more gritted teeth than enthusiasm I set out to set them. By Monday the population was five down. Tuesday morning was misty and cold and as my fingers tingled with cold delving into the sodden soil I was wishing I had chosen a warmer job when out of the mist a lapwing got up and flew to the next field__ the first tewit call of the year !And if that didn't manage to warm me through five minutes later I was glowing, seeing and hearing a pair of curlew. So even though the morning began looking bleak, there is light at the end of the tunnel and Spring will soon be here.
Our regular garden hare was again in it's favourite spot this morning while I ate breakfast. As I watched it performed it's morning ablutions, amazing to see the ear washing procedure. I went off to Church feeling I had had my "special sighting" of the day , came home to find two sitting side by side---- it was only coffee I was drinking !!
Watched a hare in the garden this afternoon, sunning itself in the lee of the beech hedge. Saw a large Buzzard flying off with newly caught prey, it landed in conifer woods nearby. The garden seems full of pheasants eating anything we put out. Our resident Kestrel is still roosting in niche above doorway and often hunting in fields near house. The autumn colours are fantastic at the moment. Hollies are covered in berries and ivy berries are starting to form. Flocks of Golfinches have been feeding on seed heads by roadside.
