OneGuyFromBarlick

On the way to the papershop this morning, I encountered two foxes seperately. One dog and one vixen both looked in tiptop condition, maybe small ones later in the year.

Heard my first curlew call of the year through the mist this morning. I got quite emotional.

That and the grouse shouting "go back" are two of the most evocative sounds I know.

It is lovely to see the new lambs in the field -soon be Spring.

Saw two deer laid down enjoying the bit of warmth in the sun this morning, they were quite close by and didn't seem bothered by us or the dogs (which were on leads).

Definitely milder and the birds are enjoying it as well.

Just missed a picture of a Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail working hard on Butts Beck this morning. Birds are singing their hearts out on a mild morning.

Couple of Moorhens trying to compete building nests. The river still flows faster and higher than normal.

Lovely day this afternoon, two buzzards circling overhead and the wood peckers in the wood behind us banging out a tune. The whole garden shows signs of new growth we will be turning the corner soon into another spring.Even the fish in our pond are coming out of their torpor and showing signs of wanting food.

TB from your pet cat! and again the badger gets the blame. TB has been on the increase for a number of years, most folks would lay this at the foot of mass migration to this country of hordes of people with poor health. Our government would sooner blame it on the badger, a creature few folks will ever see in the flesh, and never considered to be a threat before now. Looks like when you hear your cat coughing up a fur ball, you will think TB and rush to the vet.

Spotted my first swallows of the year down by the beck between Laneshawbridge & Wycoller. A beautiful morning for a walk, there are a lot of curlews about this year.

Just looked back to last year in the "Wild, I was livid" topic, and I saw my first swallow last year on Monday 15th April! It was the end of April before my barn swallows arrived...I'm watching out eagerly!

They have good internal calendars Wendy as well as superb navigation systems. Brave little birds....

One swallow flying round the house this morning when I opened up the barn door.

We have none yet but I think we were behind you last year Wendy.

Yesterday I learned something about European wasps; a tough lesson.

We have had a lot around the house recently, probably because most of the fruit is ripe on the trees and they are helping themselves. A number come into the house and die and I usually vacuum them up.This time I picked it up and closed my hand over it intending to throw it in the bin. It's sting stuck into the palm of my hand and my goodness it hurt! (I didn't really say that!) So, even when they're dead they can do some damage! Not as bad as a full on sting but still sore today.

I felt that Liz! Wasp stings are alkaline so the treatment is a mild acid like vinegar. I used to be allergic to them but haven't been stung for yonks. That'll do it, I'll get stung this year....

Spotted our first swallow across the road this morning---- aaahhhh.

I've got one flying around outside this morning but the barn is still swallow free. Don't know why I'm so pleased to see them, they make such a mess everywhere!

A harbinger of Spring and better weather Wendy. It always cheers me up when I see them. (Or the Swifts. I can't tell the difference!)

Swifts have more of a curve to their wings Stanley, and a shorter tail.

Saw a small brown gecko in the communal stairwell this morning. I love to see them but my Chinese wife thinks they are dirty, although in South America they are sometimes called house-cleaners (limpia casas). They eat insects so in my opinion they are beneficial. I'd rather have lizards than some of the creatures that are abundant in the tropics. We occasionally get them inside, they can squeeze through unbelievable small cracks such as under the patio doors. Very cool today, only 26C.

Two swallows have just been buzzing the stables, they haven't spotted our killing machine yet----- the cat

Nature, red in tooth and claw.

Our swallows turned up in the barn yesterday as well Gloria, same day as yours this year!