Bubbling under

The late Spring has built up a backlog of energy just waiting to burst out.

Not least in The Lake.

Last year, when The Lake had just been dug, we found frogspawn in all manner of inappropriate puddles and ditches. This year the frogs seem to have got the idea and the waters are beginning to bubble and seeth.

As the sun warms the surface the tadpoles line up for aquatic sunbathing

The Snails begin to stir

and on the surface the Pondscater and Whirligig Beetles perform a dance

and this Water Beetle was spotted courting

This creature is still emerging from the winter slime

and up above green in spouting

Preparing for the swarms

Our beekeeping experience now amounts to around half a year – main achievement so far is that our one and only colony seems to have survived the winter with vigour

they were out in force today in the long-waited for sunshine

We learn that we are now heading for the swarming season – something, which like all aspects of beekeeping, seems to be a mixture of unpredictability, mystique, and much scope for Things Going Wrong.

We imagine part of the colony emerging to look for a new home in or month or two and promptly relocating next door with a minimum off fuss – that is if we provide them with a next door.

So to work

knocking up a stand

and locating it next door

and then cleaning up some hives


ready to make a desirable residence.

Doubtlessly, to be continued

April Moments

The Wood Mouse thinks bird ground feeders were a good innovation

Shortly we will be surrounded by more daffodils than is healthy for the gaze but the first few are welcome

They are late this year. Our bees are looking forward to them; meanwhile they are enjoying the heather

Wonder if they will be interested in the Fritillaries

We now see Bumblebees as intolopers

Seed beds in preparation

and some salad already growing

Violets are always exciting

The cordoned cherry, which will be the centrepiece of Polytunnel Zenith, is teasing with a first hint of blossom to come

We lamb late up here but some ewes are already wearying of their springing offspring

We have released seven hedgehogs brought into protection as Autumn juveniles. They have rejoined the local community which passes in the night

Tarragon also recovers from hibernation

as do the ferns beneath the vine

Territory wars are at full throttle

Watching and Waiting

We have scythed and removed last year’s grass from the meadow

and are excitedly awaiting what it will offer to us this year.

We are keeping a record here.

New Neighbours

Freshly minted in the night

Bank Holiday weather

Yesterday we were enjoying the signs of spring

watching the Nuthatch bring in nesting material

to the hole under the eaves, which he had reduced with render to a Nuthatch-sized hole

The frogspawn was starting to develop

vole holes were proliferating

the tomato seeds had germinated

and Ian was developing his poise

We enjoyed the snow on the distant mountains

and were amused by the one little patch remaining locally

The I-escaped-from-a-sparrowhawk-but-only-just Blackbird had been a week in the woodshed living a life of luxury.

And then today was a Bank Holiday

Wet, sticky snow with added ice crushed our optimism

Trees that had survived far heavier snow last month succumbed

one hen run was flattened

Our neighbours were not amused either