Camera Critters #4 - Buzzard

Weekly Six – 16th – 22nd April 2007

Greetings and welcome to this weeks pickings! Before I start I would like to provide an update on our resident Starling. I mentioned in last weeks ‘weekly six’ that we had an injured Starling sheltering in our garden, and we had taken steps to ensure he could access food and water.

A couple of days later he ventured into next doors garden and we did not see him for a short while however, I am very happy to report that he is alive, well and making progress, and currently residing in our neighbours fabulous thorn hedge, apparently a guest of the sparrows!

In addition the loose feather has come out and he seems to be growing another one and improving in his flight ability daily. So, on that happy note here are this weeks items.

Item 1: Flower of The Week – Wild Wood Anemone, Anemone nemorosa

Anyone who has been out and about in woodland over the past couple of weeks may have noticed this plant growing amongst the bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), the wild wood anemone, Anemone nemorosa.

Apart from being a delicate and beautiful plant wood anemone is, along with bluebells, an indicator species, that is in this instance an indicator of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW).

Ancient woods are defined as sites where it is believed that there has been continuous woodland cover since at least 1600 AD. Before 1600 planting was uncommon, therefore woodland present in 1600 AD is likely to have developed naturally, conceivably over several millennia. Important features of ancient woodland often survive in many of these woods, including characteristic flora and fauna, and archaeology.

If you are interested in visiting ancient trees and woodland within your area please follow this link however, this is generally a great time to be out and about in any of the British countryside so pack yourself a picnic and go and explore! Image Credit: Fotosearch

Item 2: Charity of the Week – The Sensory Trust

For those of you unfamiliar with the Sensory Trust they are a charity that promote and implement an inclusive approach to design and management of all outdoor space with the intent of providing environments accessible by all regardless of age or disability.

I have some involvement with the charity and it really is amazing once you start to explore the possible additions, amendments and interpretations you can make to an outdoor or even indoor venue, just how much can be done to make it enjoyable and accessible to everyone, perceived in a multitude of ways.

They are a wonderful charity and have an active group of volunteers. If you are interested in finding out more or getting involved follow this link or email them at enquiries@sensorytrust.org.uk.

Item 3: Search Engine of the Week – Every Click

Every Click is a search engine that allows you to raise money for any registered charity of your choice via internet searches. You simply select the charity you wish to contribute to and set the page as your home page and then every search carried out accrues units transferred into money for your charity. You can even view the level of funds created via this search engine for each charity.

Now on an honest note I have found this search engine to be a little limited at present however even if you only use it to locate Google every time you go onto the internet you are still helping! Why not have a look and see if there is a charity you would like to assist in this simple way!

Item 4: Bird Accessory of the Week

As a nation of bird lovers I know there are many of us who take steps to provide additional food for the bird population throughout the year however not everyone provides water. It is essential that birds can access fresh water throughout the year, not only for drinking but for bathing.

We have a small bird bath in our garden which has become a regular watering hole for a multitude of birds however it has also become a favourite spot for a quick dip and if you have never experienced it, watching a bird take a bath is a delightful sight not to be missed.
There are occasional group bathing sessions, usually involving several starlings and a sparrow, needless to say the sparrow is not required to contribute by flapping wings as the starlings provide a wonderful effort free shower for him!

If you do not have a bird bath, or do not have room for one, a simple tray/ dish/ plant pot base/ of water will be happily received although is you do use a dish of this nature I would recommend the addition of a few stones in the bottom to provide a mode of exit for any smaller passing creatures that may fall in and be unable to climb their way out.

Finally, the addition of any water to your garden will ensure a multitude of wildlife however it is important to provide fresh water as regularly as you can, particularly if it is utilised as drinking water by the birds. Stagnant water can breed disease and if the birds are bathing and drinking from it, they will also use it as a toilet! Thankfully we have evolved to differentiate!

Item 5: Website of the Week – Museum Finder

I recently visited one of Britain’s many free museums as part of a day out and about arranged by my lovely man for my birthday. There are so many free museums and galleries in the UK and this website can help you find many of them.

A museum visit can be fitted in to a day out anywhere. You can spend as little or as much time as you want exploring exhibits and I am sure that there will be at least one item on display that will touch you in some way.

We visited our museum for just a couple of hours however I have many lasting memories of standing before paintings, Egyptian chambers, shrunken heads, antique instruments…..the list is endless, an the memory will endure as a fabulous portion of a fabulous day which culminated in a Jethro Tull concert. Does life get much better! Ok you do not have to agree with that last bit but have a look at the website and see what there is near you!

Item 6: Bird of the Week - The Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus (and other relatives)

Pigeons inspire a variety of feelings so let us just say if you are not a fan it’s probably best that you don’t read the rest of this item.

I have nominated the Wood Pigeon as my bird of the week however all pigeons are welcome at our bird feeding and watering establishment, and would therefore be included within this tribute, however we are currently only visited by wood pigeons.

All male pigeons are called Walter, their partners ‘Walt’s missus’. We have a pair of wood pigeons that visit regularly but Walt is a daily visitor and has recently begun to brave the bird bath and bird table.

This may sound odd however when you consider how big wood pigeons are along with the comparatively claustrophobic environment that our back garden provides, him visiting at all is pretty amazing! They can achieve 42cm in height with a wing span of 80cm.

Never the less he has fine tuned his abilities and in time has mastered descent and landing in confined spaces. This beautiful and enormous bird eats peanuts whole!

I therefore pay tribute to this native bird, which almost defies gravity, and am grateful for his continued presence adding to the variety of wildlife I am privileged to see from my own home.