We spent most of January in Ethiopia and my thoughts keep returning there. One vivid memory is of a young barefoot boy, dressed in rags and none too clean. We had stopped at some random location in the rocky highlands and, as always happened, people just materialised out of nowhere. He was not begging but merely sought the comfort of standing next to someone other than from his own tribe. His life is harsh. He lives, as so many do in those remote areas, in a thatched, mud hut bare of anything except for a cooking pot and some bedding. His first …
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Did you know that the River Exe estuary is a RAMSAR site? This means that it is a wetland area of international importance and to visit the river in winter will immediately make you understand why, as the estuary is a major refuge for tens of thousands of birds. Make no mistake - this is a world-class bird location, and one which is right on our very own doorstep. The most important winter inhabitants are the Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits and they can number about 1200, whilst you also expect to see hundreds of Avocets, Brent Geese and …
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I have just returned from my morning walk around the farm to check the stock. Everything was in order and it is pleasing that the cattle are still out and not being housed early like last year when it was so very wet. The weather has been a real challenge this year and I hope that 2019 might be a little more true to form without the drastic wet followed by the long hot summer – there’s no pleasing some people ! With 2018 coming to a close we are very much looking forward to a productive 2019 on the farm and will strive to keep this small rural …
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We recently managed to get away for a short birding break in Hungary. This was a mixed experience – the birding, with a few notable exceptions, was poor and led me to ask myself if this was a vision of the future. The Great Hungarian Plain seemed largely devoid of wildlife and diversity and, dare I say, driving across it was at times tedious and monotonous? It was a welcome relief to drive up into the hills, where the autumn colours were magnificent. We added on a couple of days at the end to explore Budapest and, although I am no lover of …
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Devon pharmacists offer fast track to prescriptions Under the Pharmacy First scheme, trained pharmacists in participating branches can give out medication which normally has to be prescribed by a GP for the following conditions:   Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) for women aged 18-64 Impetigo Nappy rash Conjunctivitis for one-year-olds Only specially trained pharmacists offer the service – if you want to check it’s available at your local community pharmacist, phone ahead and ask about Pharmacy First …
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The robins at both ends of our garden have become very tame indeed, doubtless seeing me as a source of constant food. I have to be extremely careful when releasing moths from the traps, as they haunt my footsteps. One false move on my part and they pounce on some poor unsuspecting moth. In early November the nights were freezing but we had lovely sunny days and I enjoyed the high pitched squeaks of the Long-tailed Tits all around me – quite unmistakeable once you get your ear in. We do not feed the birds at all in the summer months, but …
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