Theodore Roosevelt in praise of the English blackbird.

We are in the bleak mid-winter, but on my daily wanderings along the byways and hedgerows of this corner of South Somerset I have noticed a goodly number of blackbirds.  They are obviously not singing yet, but the warmer months should see them break into their wonderful song.

I was reminded of Theodore Roosevelt’s delightful tribute to the English blackbird in his autobiography.  I quote from it below.

In 1910 the former American president, having spent several weeks in England, was due to sail home from Southampton on June 10.  Being a lover of birds and birdsong he managed to arrange a day of birdwatching in Hampshire the day before his departure.

Roosevelt travelled by train to Basingstoke accompanied by his friend Sir Edward Grey, the British Foreign Secretary.  With Sir Edward acting as guide the two avid ornithologists drove to the valley of the River Itchen to view the birdlife of the area and listen to its birdsong.

Having walked for several hours in the area Roosevelt described the valley as follows: “It is very beautiful in every way, with a rich, civilised, fertile beauty – the rapid brook twisting among its reed beds, the rich green of trees and grass, the stately woods, the gardens and fields, the exceedingly picturesque cottages, the great handsome houses standing in their parks.  Birds were plentiful; I know but few places in America where one would see such an abundance of individuals . . . “.

The two men then drove to the New Forest where they had tea at an inn before tramping on through the forest to Brockenhurst.

Roosevelt wrote of his tramp: “The New Forest is a wild, uninhabited stretch of heath and woodland, many of the trees are gnarled and aged, and its very wildness, the lack of cultivation, the ruggedness, made it strongly attractive in my eyes, and suggested my own country”.

Roosevelt and Sir Edward reached Brockenhurst at nightfall and spent the night at an inn which was in Roosevelt’s words: “. . . as comfortable as possible, and the bath and supper very enjoyable after our tramp; and altogether I passed no pleasanter twenty-four hours during my entire European trip”.

The bird which impressed Roosevelt most during his walking tour was the blackbird.  “I did not know what beautiful singers they were”, he writes. He goes on to say: “I knew he was a singer, but I had no idea how fine a singer he was”.  Roosevelt concludes: “. . . it is far easier to recognise him as the master singer that he is.  It is a fine thing for England to have such an asset of the countryside, a bird so common, so much in evidence, so fearless, and such a beautiful singer”.

Starlings at Snowden Hill, west of Chard, in South Somerset.

No leaves on the trees at Snowden Hill on the A30 west of Chard in South Somerset, but lots of starlings.

I took this photo while on an expedition to the farm shop nearby.

The bare branches make an interesting pattern against a very dull, early afternoon, greyish blue sky.

Starlings in the trees at Snowdon Hill, near Chard, South Somerset.

A stroll to the Beacon on Beacon Hill near Ilminster, South Somerset.

On July 9 the weather was quite calm, not too hot, a bit cloudy, but with plenty of blue sky, so I decided on a walk with my camera up to the top of  the 332 feet high Beacon Hill to the Beacon.  I strolled up Dillington Park Drive on the eastern fringe of the ancient market town of Ilminster to the gate overlooking Dillington House.  The house dates from the sixteenth century and was the home of Lord North, the Prime Minister who was in office when Britain “lost” America.

Turning left from the gate onto Beacon Hill, I followed the hedgerow north, west and then south until I came upon the Beacon at the junction of Old Road and the footpath which takes you west to New Road, the B3168, the road from Ilminster to Curry Rivel.  Old Road is now just a track, very narrow and rutted in places on the southern side of the hill, but was once the route north from Ilminster.

The fields immediately around the Beacon are all planted with maize this year – at the moment the crop is about thigh high.

Maize growing on Beacon Hill near Ilminster, South Somerset.

The Beacon on Beacon Hill near Ilminster, South Somerset.

Overgrown Old Road leading south from the Beacon into Ilminster. 

Old Road leading north at the Beacon on Beacon Hill near Ilminster in South Somerset

 

The footpath leading west from the Beacon to New Road/B3168 in Ilminster. South Somerset.

I continued along the footpath toward New Road until I came to a bench which has fine views looking down on Ilminster and its Church of St. Mary.  Gazing over the town to the south one can see Herne Hill and Pretwood Hill, while Windwhistle Ridge is on the skyline to the south east.

Looking down on Ilminster in South Somerset from Beacon Hill.

The view south east from Beacon Hill above Ilminster in South Somerset looking across the Shudrick Valley toward Windwhistle Ridge on the skyline.

After taking a rest and enjoying the view I retraced my steps.  Just north of the Beacon I could see all the way to the Mendips and the transmitter on Pen Hill.  I could also easily see the tower of St. Andrew’s Church at Curry Rivel.

The view toward The Mendips from Beacon Hill near Ilminster in South Somerset. The transmitter on Pen Hill is visible on the skyline to the right.

Viewed in a South Somerset garden on the last day of August.

 Crab apples, slow-worms and the sunset viewed on the last day of August.

Crab apples.

Slow-worms in a compost bin.

A visit to Natural England's Barrington Hill National Nature Reserve in South Somerset.

I put some fuel in the car on July 16^th  - the first time since March - and decided to take a run over to Natural England’s Barrington Hill National Nature Reserve.  The entrance to the reserve is on a country road around half way between the South Somerset villages of Horton and Bickenhall – about 4 miles north-west of Ilminster.

There is only enough space for about 3 cars at the entrance to the reserve which is set back off the road, but luckily I found no-one around.  It was a very hot sunny afternoon with a slight breeze so it wasn’t too difficult walking up the quite steep slope to the highest point on the reserve.  The going was firm underfoot – no mud!

Although not especially high the nature reserve has some pleasing views in an arc from the north-east to the south-west.  I think I could make out the church towers in the villages of Ashill and Broadway, and the field patterns on Herne Hill south of Ilminster.  I will have to take some bearings and check the OS map next time I visit.

The view to the south-east from Barrington Hill Nature Reserve in South Somerset.

The view to the south west from Barrington Hill Nature Reserve in South Somerset.

Lots of common knapweed on Barrington Hill Nature Reserve in South Somerset.

Windmill Hill as seen from Barrington Hill Nature Reserve in South Somerset.

The view to the north-east from Barrington Hill Nature Reserve in South Somerset. The church tower in the village of Ashill is just visible on the skyline to the right.

One of my resident sparrows.

This little chap has been chirruping away happily in the sunshine of the last few days.

Black-tailed godwits on the River Axe in the neighbouring county of Devonshire.

More from the archives, this time some photos from an afternoon visit to Axmouth in the neighbouring county of Devonshire.  They were taken in October 2013 from the picnic area on the bank of the River Axe just as you exit the village of Axmouth and head toward Seaton. 

The Axe rises on the outskirts of Beaminster and meanders for 22 miles through the counties of Dorsetshire, Somerset and Devonshire to where it joins the English Channel at Axmouth Harbour.  It was low tide when I took photos of some black-tailed godwits which appeared to be feeding as they moved in a group along the mudflats.

The River Axe at low tide. Viewed from Axmouth in October 2013.

Black-tailed godwits on the mudflats of the River Axe at Axmouth in Devonshire. Photo taken 10th October 2013.

I am no expert on bird recognition, so they might well have been bar-tailed godwits!

February flora and fauna in South Somerset. A stroll on the fringe of Ilminster with my camera.

At the start of February I went for an afternoon stroll without my camera.  Needless to say I saw something interesting, a great spotted woodpecker, within range of my 300mm lens, but as I said – no camera!

On the 6th I took another stroll in Dillington Park Drive on the eastern fringe of Ilminster in South Somerset, and had my camera with me, but no woodpeckers this time.  However, there were quite a number of squirrels around and one stayed still long enough for me to take a photo.

As usual there was a lot of evidence of badger setts, and signs of fresh digging beside, and over, Sustrans’ cycle track.

Evidence of badgers at work alongside the Sustrans cycle track through Dillington Park in South Somerset

In Dillington Park itself the leafless branches of the oak and beech trees made an interesting photo, one of the trees is dead and its white bark stood out against the blue sky.

Dead or dying oak or beech in Dillington Park, South Somerset.

More squirrels were scampering around on the ground beneath a huge evergreen holm oak - if my tree recognition is correct - the branches of which were almost touching the ground.


I have been reading Arthur Conan Doyle’s Hound of The Baskervilles and recalled Dr Watson’s sighting of hart's tongue ferns as he journeyed by wagonette with Sir Henry and Dr Mortimore along the banked Devonshire country road leading to Baskerville Hall.  On my return along Dillington Park Drive, which is steeply banked in places, such ferns were a common sight.

Hart's tongue ferns in Dillington Park Drive, South Somerset.

Not a lot of colour in the photos I took that day, but the weather was quite tranquil – the lull before the arrival of Storm Ciara!

A jackdaw stands guard for the grim reaper in South Somerset.

I took this photo in my courtyard this morning.  I was trying to photograph massed squadrons of swifts, but they were too quick for me!

A jackdaw stands guard for the grim reaper.

Sunsets over South Somerset, but the swifts have gone.

The last week has seen some picturesque sunsets over South Somerset. 

Nearing sunset over South Somerset on August 3rd. 

Nearing sunset over South Somerset on August 5th.

Mares' tails over South Somerset late in the day on August 7th.

However, I am sad to report that the local colony of swifts are no longer gracing the evenings with their wonderful display of aerobatics; they disappeared a few days ago and must be well on the way to Africa for the winter.

The RSPB state that the oldest ringed swift lived for at least 21 years.*  Swifts pair for life and meet up at the same nest site each spring.  I look forward to our local couples’ safe return next year.

* https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/

Bees in decline? Not in my South Somerset garden!

I have read numerous articles this year reporting that bees are in decline, yet in this particular corner of South Somerset there does not appear to be a noticeable reduction in their numbers.  The lavenders in my garden seem to be a particular favourite for bees, as they have been in previous years.  Even though the flowers on some of the lavenders seem to be fading they are still attracting pollinators.  Yesterday evening at 8pm the bees were still busy, so I took some photos with a clear blue sky as background.  

A bee among the lavender on the evening of 23rd July.

A bee working on the lavender on the evening of 23rd July.

I remember watching a TV programme some years ago on which someone who grew lavender as a crop said: “They don’t like to get their feet wet”.  Those in my garden certainly haven’t got their feet wet this summer!  My south facing hillside garden usually gets a battering from rain and constant wind, the wind sometimes subsiding to a breeze, but for the last couple of months it has had a real scorching.  In such conditions I had one lavender plant six years ago whereas now I have five; all survive and prosper.

Returning to the bees, The Royal Horticultural Society website informs us that: “There are often more pollinators in our nation’s gardens than in surrounding agricultural land.”  The website is very informative and gives advice on how to help our indispensable little friends.*   

*    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=528

Starlings and sparrows cooling down.

It has been rather hot and dry in South Somerset recently, temperatures of 80+F.  Here is a photo of starlings and sparrows using my garden bird bath to splash about and cool down.

Starlings and sparrows splashing around and cooling down.

Sunset and swifts over South Somerset.

Swifts hurtling around the rooftops  always make me smile.  Three of them are in this photo I took of the sunset over South Somerset on 28th June.  I had not realised they were in the frame until I had a close look!

Three swifts are in this picture, hurtling around the rooftops as the sun went down over South Somerset on 28th June.

Rooks nesting high in the trees alongside Donyatt Cutting in South Somerset. A sign of a good summer?

Following another two weeks of wet, windy and miserable weather yesterday was a sunny day – a chance to get out and about!  Back in March I was told the rooks were building their nests high in the trees, a harbinger of a good summer.  I decided on a walk through Donyatt Cutting on the old Taunton to Chard railway line to check out the rookery there.

The rookery at Donyatt Cutting in South Somerset

The rooks did indeed seem to have built their nests high despite the very frequent strong winds we have had so far this year.  After walking through the sheltered tree lined cutting, now a footpath and cycleway, I reached Donyatt Halt where I stopped for a rest on one of the convenient benches on the restored platform.  Enjoying the view over toward the village of Donyatt, I noticed the field on the bank of the River Isle was waterlogged – another consequence of the recent dismal weather.

The view on April 18th 2018  from Donyatt Halt toward the village of Donyatt in South Somerset.

After five months of gloomy weather I hope the folklore regarding the rooks is accurate.

A stroll through The Shudrick Valley on the eastern fringe of Ilminster in South Somerset.

One day early in August I decided to go for a stroll along the Shudrick Valley on the eastern fringe of Ilminster.  The footpaths through the valley can be rather muddy underfoot but, as there had been a spell of hot dry weather, the going on this occasion was firm.  I had my camera with me as it was a fine day with some clear blue sky to provide a pleasing background.

The view to the east from the footpath along the floor of the Shudrick Valley.

During my afternoon meander I took some photos of the peaceful agrarian landscape, but was not quick enough to snap the resident wildlife.  I came across dragonflies, rabbits and two deer emerged from Pretwood Copse but quickly darted back into the trees when they spotted me.  There were at least three Buzzards circling high over the valley – too high, unfortunately, for the lens I had with me. I encountered several people along the way, some exercising their dogs, others seemingly just enjoying a brisk walk. 

The view east along the Shudrick Valley from just below Pretwood Copse.

However, it seems that future generations may not get the chance to appreciate the bucolic delights of this particular corner of England’s green and pleasant land.  Planning permission for 220 homes* in the valley was refused by South Somerset District Council in May, but the developers CG Fry & Son Ltd and landowner Lord Cameron of The Dillington Estate have lodged an appeal.  There will now be, in due course, a Public Local Inquiry into the subject matter of the appeal. The Inquiry will consequently decide the fate of this beautiful corner of Somerset.

It will be sad, to put it mildly, if the Shudrick Valley disappears under bricks, mortar and tarmac when, only around a mile and a half away on the western outskirts of Ilminster, an area once home to the Horlicks cheese factory remains derelict and awaiting redevelopment.  The factory ceased production in 2001 and the site’s bolted gates and appearance of neglect does not make Station Road the prettiest of the routes into Ilminster.

Be that as it may, if you want to wander through the picturesque landscape of the Shudrick Valley do not delay too long – it may not be as it is today for much longer.

*For those interested the Planning Application Reference is: 14/02474/OUT.    

A white Crab Spider in a South Somerset garden.

I spotted this white Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) on a rose in my garden.  It obligingly waited for me to dash indoors and grab my camera.


A white Crab Spider on a rose in a South Somerset garden.

The crab spider does not spin a web to catch its prey but sits and waits -  then pounces as a fly or other small insect passes by.  I have not come across one before, apparently they can change their body colour to white, yellow or green to blend in with their background.



A closer view of the Crab Spider waiting for its prey.

Slow-worms in a South Somerset compost bin. The gardener's ally.

The humble Slow-worm in a compost bin.  The gardener's ally.

This story appeared in the Western Daily Press on May 20th.

Damaging slugs and snails in spotlight as gardeners hit back.
A year-long study is being launched to discover the best way to tackle what many gardeners see as their ultimate foes – slugs and snails.

The research project examining mulching, slug pellets and nematodes, a form of biological control of slugs and snails, is being conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and chemicals giant BASF, the only UK maker of nematodes.

It aims to address gaps in understanding how best to tackle slugs and snails, which have topped the list of garden pests in seven of the past ten years, based on queries to the RHS gardening advice service.

The project will test six different control strategies, including the most popular with gardeners and combining multiple methods in a process known as “integrated pest management” to find the best way of battling the pests.

RHS scientist Dr Hayley Jones, who is leading the research, said: “The damage slugs and snails do to plants has, over the years, led to the development of a wide array of control methods.

“However, these animals are still a persistent problem, which means the current treatments are not working as well as hoped. By conducting scientifically robust research into which combinations of treatments are the most effective, gardeners will for the first time have access to guidance on which method best suits their unique circumstances. What this could mean is that in years to come slugs and snails will drop down the table of gardeners’ most troublesome pests.”

Among the six treatments to be tested are using a cultural treatment, or mulch, around plants and mulch with an organic – ferric phosphate – slug pellet.

This letter appeared in the Western Daily Press on May 30th.

Gardeners' welcome for the slowworm.
I read with interest the article reporting the study, by the Royal Horticultural Society and chemicals giant BASF, of the means available to gardeners to combat their “ultimate foe” – slugs and snails ( Western Daily Press May 20).

I suggest the encouragement of natural allies in the battle amid the garden and vegetable plot. One such ally is the humble slow-worm.

Four summers ago I discovered that some of these fascinating creatures had taken up residence in one of my compost bins; since then I have reserved that particular bin for their exclusive use.

Make the slowworm welcome by providing somewhere for it to hibernate; a pile of stones, logs or compost. The female has six to 12 young, born August to October. As their diet includes slugs and snails they will repay your hospitality by helping to keep your garden clear of such pests.

S.W.

Ilminster, Somerset