Following on from last month, we have suffered the loss of yet another bee hive. This one was overwhelmed by huge numbers of wasps, which have proved so troublesome this year. So, we are now down to just two active hives!
Those August storms also hit us badly, as we have lost two old favourite apple trees. They were both leaning over at an angle of 60° and were far too large to make any recovery feasible, but the apples have been harvested and the wood is now being seasoned in readiness to use in our log burner.
Andrew and Cherry have been telling me how much they dislike the tractor-driven flail machines that give the local hedges such a severe cutting and prevent any trees growing up out of them. Hedges cut this way are not at all ideal for wildlife and in particular their dormice who feed on brambles, hazel nuts and hips amongst other things. Andrew has decided not to cut the tops of theirs and he is going to leave selected trees in his hedges. The proposed ELM (Environmental Land Management) scheme that will replace the CAP will pay for environmental protection and enhancement and Andrew is hopeful that local farmers will also be aware of this and take action.
Do you remember this time last year local buzzards were grouping together in the large field close up to 
Colestocks and were visible quite close up from the path? We walked the “Upton Loop” the other day and this year they are gathering in large numbers in the recently planted large field to the north of the village, mainly juveniles judging from their generally paler plumage. A bright yellow and black caterpillar turned up recently. It turned out to be a larva of the Pale Tussock moth with its really hairy abdomen and red ‘tail’ stuck out at one end, so no touching!
One of the pleasures we enjoy is sitting eating 
meals in our conservatory overlooking one of our garden ponds, which attracts all manner of wildlife. One October visitor was a female Southern Hawker Dragonfly, which began ovipositing, not in the water but on the wood log roll edging the path, which is
nicely porous.
After the eggs hatch, the nymphs will live in the pond for up to three years; then when the adults emerge from the exuviae life expectancy is only a matter of a few weeks. During this time, the adults will only have one thing on their minds – to reproduce and secure their genetic future.
Paul Lister 841696
