Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder?

 I think not . . .

Ar y Campws

This month we have mostly been  . . . Dysgu Cymraeg!

Earlier this year we both signed up for the intensive Welsh summer course at Aberystwyth University - Martin at the Canolradd (Intermediate) level and me at Sylfaen (Foundation) - and for the last three weeks we've been on campus every day, Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.

It's been a bit strange being back at the university (after all these years), and surprisingly tiring spending all day in a classroom (although we do get lots of breaks).

On the whole though we've both enjoyed the experience - we've met new people, improved our Welsh, and enthused ourselves to carry on when the courses finish (still a week to go!).

We've also had some encounters with the local wildlife - notably this bold fellow, who nearly gave me a heart attack when he jumped out of the bin I was putting my biscuit wrapper in!

At least the University is trying to discourage the seagulls - spotted this hawk being 'flown' around campus one day, and it certainly got them excited, although there was no evidence that they'd actually de-camped the next day.

Anyway, that hopefully explains the lack of activity on the blogging front this month - back to normality from the end of next week.

Gull with a Bone

One of the upsides of lockdown for many people has been the fact that wildlife has been a lot more evident in our towns and cities.

In comparison we aren't exactly lacking in wildlife, but with less people around the local gull population has had to up its scavenging activities - not sure where this one got the bone from!

And of course there's still plenty to see in our garden:

From the mice we are feeding . . .











. . . to the squirrel we are really trying not to!

Acrobatics #2

This year's squirrel pic . . .

Acrobatics

And of course, not having seen one in a while, it (or one of its friends) was soon back, and in particularly acrobatic mode:

Is it a bird?

No it's a squirrel . . .

Hadn't seen one for a while - obviously we chase them off the bird feeder, but still nice to know they are around!

Wildlife Cam

A small selection of the offerings from my birthday present this year - an infra-red wildlife camera, that can be moved around the garden to different locations.  First shots taken in daylight, caught birds and the local squirrel, cleaning up under the bird feeder: 

Then we have the night-time footage - one cat:

And something a little more intriguing . . .

. . . or it could be just another cat!

North Wales Wanderings

Had a few days off at the end of April and managed a couple of days out revisiting National Trust properties up in North Wales.

Started with Erddig, where the 'family' had particular regard for their servants, recording their lives in portraits and verse - adds a really interesting dimension to the house.




Lovely gardens - some fantastic pink tulip beds while we were there - plus the geometric lines of 'pleached' ornamental trees, leading away from the house.

Also encountered this baby squirrel in a corner of the garden - desperately trying to hide from us under a garden bench!

Later in the week it was on to Penrhyn Castle - a little more modern than it looks (the current building dates from the early C19th despite its distinctly Norman appearance).

The interiors boast some really rather extravagant stonework (the family did own a lot of quarries), and the whole setting boasts some lovely views out to the North Wales coast:

Autumnwatch

October arrived with some blazing hot sunshine - so it didn't really feel much like Autumn (then anyway!).


Took a trip out to this year's Springwatch location - Ynys-hir - beautiful day, fantastic scenery - and there were a few signs of Autumn . . .


. . . not least the steady thwack of acorns (hitting everything in sight), but also red leaves in the sunlight . . .



 
 

And the local squirrel population, squirrelling away their winter hoards.

Squirrel Tales

Or Raider of the Last Peanuts Part Deux . . .

We're going to be tolerant - unless she (we think it's a 'she' now we've had a closer look) decides to get destructive and knock things onto the ground.

Raider of the Last Peanuts

Need I say more . . .

Don't think he's a regular visitor as the peanuts don't disappear that quickly (the fat balls are currently the food of choice among the local bird population).  Something soon scared him off, but now he knows they are there I guess he'll be back . . . .