As the Sunflower begins to shed its tears
we look around at signs of Summer’s end.
No. 1
The Rowan is ready. Last year we made forty-six litres of Rowan wine. We need more.
No 2
It has begun. Scything the Meadow. Should be finished by October end.
No 3
More wine.
So heavy…
…it needs propping up.
This year we have grown more flowers than ever before – adding to perennials and a lot of annuals which ended up in pots as we ran out of space (a hazard with only three and a half acres).
Here is a little walk round some of them yesterday:
Bella (we only give names to hens of distinction) got up this morning and managed to eat some breakfast.
Understandably, she was still very fragile so we decided to move her to the special needs zone.
Current occupants are Dora,
who is a bit slow physically (and mentally) and spends a lot of her life sitting down.
And Eliza (because she is a Wayward Daughter),
who became a pathological escapee when part of the main flock.
They live in a strange harmony
which was interrupted today as Bella arrived in their bed.
As the day ends she is still alive although we had a time of concern earlier when she was lying on her side looking pained. This was the result.
Back in the main flock we have been stumped as to how to prevent a reoccurrence of the abduction. These hens have been recently without a cockerel, who can give early warning of overhead predators. We did have one to spare from one of the summer hatchings (currently being fattened up for the pot hence no name) so he was sent of to perform sentry duties.
He was a little puzzled but seemed to take the job seriously being shown the way by Inky,
who is in charge of the new flock next door.
We have many breeds of hens but the Speckled Sussex is one of our favourites. And they often treat us like their favourites:
Today our neighbouring farmer called with one which was rather sorry for itself
She has been found in the hedge yesterday and the reason was a bit of a mystery. The flock she is part of is well fenced and no one has escaped – they would not want to. We do have foxes around but not close by recently, nor would this be a way of operating for a fox.
When we had a closer look at her injuries
as well as damage to the back there were small incisions under the wings. Our only explanation was
a buzzard. We do have lots of them around. The RSPB says:
“Prey up to 500g is taken by active predation; anything heavier is usually carrion or seriously enfeebled individuals.
Gamebirds are sometimes taken, though these make up only a tiny proportion of the diet. Buzzards are more likely to feed on carrion.”
Well… she weighs more than 500g but a buzzard must have come in
and picked her up. Maybe too much to carry or perhaps she gave a fight but the predator must have let go over the hedge.
We set her up in medical quarters but she really wanted to go up the stairs to her normal bed
This particular flock does not currently have a cockerel and we wondered if this made a difference to giving warning of danger. Tonight we have put one of our young cockerels in there to act as security guard.
The end of August looms and, like the sunflower clock, life and vibrancy is draining away
The heat and drought have prompted the trees and shrubs to shut up shop and go for an early Autumn
Here is some young life that is more resiliant
Gribin Isaf 