End of Month

September has been wet

and Autumn has crept up on us like the mist in the valley below

as our neighbours peer in

Colours are changing

and fungi is spreading

As the sap falls we do some tree work

clearing some self-sown sycamores

to bring light into the woodland margins

and adding new glow to the hydrangea

which acts as a twilight beacon

Work continues removing the grass from the meadow

and delivering it to the pigs

The most recent ex-pig is safely in the freezer. Not initially planned for this destination she was carrying a bit too much fat

but as well as these joints we do have a year’s supply of bacon and sausages

Down at the Lake, the lily has its own Autumn colours

and insect life continues unabated

Tomato production continues

Egg production has been down as feather changes take place. June has got her new set

Two recent arrivals, the Sussex Rangers, live up to their name by being the only hens happy to range in the rain

The youngest cohort leave their greenhouse accommodation for their first daytime outing

Solo and The Three Muscovites await

Wild bird activity has changed with territorial song starting up again.

This Bluetit is too busy trying to work out what to do with a large peanut

which it whittles down to a transportable shape and size

Spider activity continues. Looking closely at this Harvestman we are amazed by the delicate legs on the complex body

This Cellar Spider wraps up a fly

before clinically injecting it

As time ticks by, late born hedgehogs need help as they are too small to survive hibernation. One shed is turned into hedgehog hostel

containing six visitors at the time of writing – after passing through de-ticking induction

Flower colour continues

and a strange creature is squatting in the pantry

Autumn Signs: Running out of demi-johns

The branches are bending. What else can we do?

Autumn signs: The First Male Giant House Spider

As the weather turns cooler and wetter this month, giant house spiders, which can grow up to 12cm long, will emerge as they hunt for female partners. “Spiders don’t specifically want to enter your home; in fact they’d rather stay away as there’s less food and it’s too dry and clean [possibly…],” says Simon Garrett, head of learning at Bristol Zoological Society. “Most species of spider stay outside all the time and never come in houses. However, in autumn, mature male house spiders start to move around in search of mates. Although most remain outside, some will move into a house if there is an entry point for them [we have lots of those]. It is this need to mate that changes their behaviour, so it seems as though they suddenly come from nowhere at certain times.”

Turning of the year

Evening twilight has started to push us indoors before we are quite ready. On this equinox day we rise to find the lowlands around us under the mist

We get to the pigs before the sun does as they wait in the shadow of the ridge before the rays reach for morning greetings

Day by day we continue scraping the meadow

preparing to give flowering plants a head start on the grass next year.

Later, we add four gallons of Damson wine to our slow-bubbling collection.

Bath time

A new pool for the Cayugas today

which they enjoy

and the after-bath

Elsewhere Claire’s now-Pullets are practising The Stare

Tomatoes continue to flow

and

An Inspector Calls

“There are two serious brood diseases of honeybee in the UK which are currently notifiable and subject to control under The Bee Diseases and Pests Control Order 2006. These are American and European foulbrood, AFB and EFB respectively. The control of AFB and EFB disease is the responsibility of the National Bee Unit’s Inspectors who carry out a risk based inspection programmes on registered colonies across England and Wales. If you keep honeybee colonies in England or Wales, you may be contacted by your local Bee Inspector to inspect your bees.”

Fortunately the Bee Inspector not only inspects but also dispenses good advice

We are pleased to hear that our first bee colony is disease free, in good shape and has sufficient food stored up to last the winter.

Mind you, the Inspection did stir them up a bit

Meanwhile Bert gets excited

Is it to so with Lottie next door?

Black Beans and Bees

We inspect the bees

and are pleased to see that our provided feed is being stashed

Pollen is still being brought in

We harvest black beans

and other delicacies

Nitrogen Cycling

We have three-quarters of an acre in which we are trying to encourage more meadow plants

This means that the grass now needs to be removed

and recycled to the pig zone

where it provides fodder, leavening for the clay, and a floating island to give the pigs some dry feet.

Dry feet are hard to come by after the last couple of weeks but today there is less precipitation and more sun enjoyed by the Muscovies in their new land

which they go exploring…

…with Solo in the rear.

As fruits are harvested – bubbling increases. Damsons are fermenting

and plums lie in waiting

Last commute

For some time, Solo and the Three Muscoveers have been commuting daily

between their night time shelter

and day time hutch

Today it is time to move on.

First we need a gate capable of enclosing Muscovies

They have to wait outside the back door for a bit

Then their new 24 hour home is ready

(note Floppy keeping an eye on things)

Meanwhile today we think of the best way to use quite a lot of plums

and enjoy this

We are ducks, but not as you know them.

Following our distress purchase of three one-week-old Muscovies we have been getting to know these fascinating birds.

While all other domesticated ducks are descended from the Mallard, Muscovies owe their ancestry to an American Tree Duck.

So we thought we should give them a tree, or at least a stump

Unfortunately there was only room for two, so number three was a bit miffed – and Solo just watched, a bit puzzled.

They are developing beautiful plumage

and interesting tails

Solo is jealous

Other brightness comes from today’s rainbow

and a new lamp for the Guest Caravan