The weather already in November has meant the lane as become
a river twice, which is astonishing because I’ve only seen it like this about
six times in the 12 years we’ve lived here.
It did the same last month and, given the amount of rain we’ve
had, any downpours will simply tip the water levels well over the limit again.
The moorhens living around the pond and stream have been
seen quite often recently, presumably trying to escape any potential danger
from the fast-flowing water.
In the garden the leaves from the surrounding deciduous
trees are covering the lawn, so I hope the worms and other small creatures can make
full use of them.
The birds feeders are now seeing a number visitors, with blackbirds,
wrens and dunnocks all being seen quite often.
I’ve heard the tawny owls calling on a couple of nights
recently; it’s great to know they’re around, but I just don’t know if they
stick around for the rest of the year.
There has been no sight of foxes, badgers or rabbits
recently, but I’ve spotted a rat and plenty of grey squirrels at the top end of
the lane, not too near the house.
If the weather manages to stop producing rain, and settle
down for a bit, I hope to see and hear a little bit more of the wildlife.
The pond has now cleared up, so the water is crystal clear.
Unfortunately, the oxygenating plants have perished, so in the spring I’ll get
some more to help any wildlife that wants to utilise the ‘facilities’.
We did have a small tortoiseshell butterfly in the house,
seemingly trying to spend the winter, but constantly being woken up by the
house warming when the heating went on.
Then when I found a box to house it in the garage, it
seemingly found a new place and hasn’t been seen in a week. Hopefully we’ll see
it again in spring.
