Turning over an Old Leaf

A few leaves from around the plot today:

Visual warmth

With a noticeable ground frost overnight, the air temperatures may not have been very high today:

but the return of the sunlight brings warmth to the heart.

So here are some of today’s glimpses that provide a warm feeling.

Water, water…

Two days of rushing…

…and gushing

with a lot of water falling from the sky

Inspired by all this water, one Muscovy looks at what is on offer….

…is not impressed, and goes off to find something more exciting

She might look picturesque

but the Lake is not for ducks so she has to be encouraged to leave

and take the long walk home

where she keeps quiet

just looking pityingly on her fellow Muscovies and where they have to swim

this Cayuga in its bath

and the Aylesburys having to take turns

Meadow Maintenance

We are slowly increasing the diversity in the meadow area, some of which is documented here

This depends on cutting the grass at the end of every growing season and then removing it.

This takes time

Before:

and after:

Currently the mowed grass is being used to cover the mud in the duck pen

and to give Bert an island

Elsewhere today…

Mid-October Observations

Rain every day, 98.8 mm so far this month, but with day-time temperatures well into double figures and very little wind it has been pleasant working outside.

The young apple trees we planted two years ago are bearing fruit…

and the cookers from one of the established trees are being put to good use

 
The damsons have moved from this..

…through this

…to this

 
The last of the tomatoes have been picked

So far this Autumn we have not had to take into care any juvenile hedgehogs.  However, we are being prepared as the hostelry roof was leaking.

 
It is getting a bit muddy in the rabbitry …

…so work is starting on some winter quarters

Our neighbours are on the lookout for the tup

and colour is spreading across the Buddhist Tree

Other signs of Autumn:

 
The ducks have all settled down happily together

and we too are looking forward to having a bath

Eucalyptus Gymraeg

Twenty-five years ago Gribin Isaf was made up of sheep fields. Many trees were then planted but in order to get quick results Eucalyptus was included!

Now, some of them tower over everything

their swaying silver tops a beacon visible from far away.

But, as the RHS notes, the species is prone to windrock – not ideal for 900 feet up a Welsh hillside:

Unlike any native tree, Eucalyptus adds a layer of bark every year and the outermost layer dies and is shed adding fascinating sights to our surroundings:

Early October Miscellany

The colour is starting to creep across the Acer

We are starting to stockpile next winter’s wood

The rabbits are outgrowing their quarters

so Floppy and his two remaining ladies have had to shunt up

as ground is cleared for a rabbit extension

harvest continues… the less successful

and the more useful

Jessie’s water bowl seems a fertile hunting ground for interesting species. First this Hairworm

and then a newt

Oh, and it has rained everyday

and is due to continue that way

Putting all your Hens in one Basket

These hens thought they ruled the roost

but today they had new company as we ringed our youngest batch

and merged them with the main flock

A handsome batch made up of Partridge Orpingtons, Partridge Welsummers, Gold-laced Orpingtons and a French Maran

They soon made themselves at home

They had been living down next to Bert, not sure if he is missing them

Also today, harvesting the last of the Aubergines

and continuing to prepare the tomato harvest for preservation

Ducks on the Move Number Two

We are slowly learning that while managing livestock in multiple locations during the relatively benign months of the year can be pleasant, during the time of mud, cold and wind it pays to be more efficient.

So, today was a time for more duck consolidation.

Cayugas were the first breed of ducks we hatched and Lucky, the Drake in charge, dates back to that first brood

He currently has five ducks to look after and they have lived as a close knit isolated group for a long time. When they can find an accidental hole in their netting they are quick to explore but now the time has come to leave with permission they would rather stay where they know

They need encouragement to go down the step

not very elegantly

and it is off past the polytunnel

through the wood and into the meadow

Round the corner and past the hens

towards the gate of their new home

where a reception committee awaits

A bit of a stand off at first

but they soon start settling in, while keeping themselves to themselves