Owl Wood Tales

Several years ago I began drawing and writing a journal all about Owl Wood.   I thought it would be fun to record some of the animals, flowers and birds which come to take up residence.

This is the map which I drew for my grandchildren, it needs updating, but it gives you a general idea of the place

This is the area shown to the top left-hand side of the map, by the log store.

The gazebo is attached to the hen house; we put it there

when we had to keep the hens in quarantine during the recent bird flu epidemic.

The birds have roamed free for a few weeks now but we

are reluctant to dismantle the gazebo, just in case.

The important part of the photograph is the row of pots and tubs around the stumps.

They contain young trees which will soon be planted in Owl Wood.

Rowans, Crab Apples, Wild Cherries and Silver Birch.

A  lovely selection, and they were all 

free!

Someone had wildly over estimated what they required

but 

very kindly donated them to Owl Wood.

The patches of violets are spreading nicely, 

and

the wild garlic is very happily spreading itself around.

Before long though, the cow parsley will hide almost everything from view

under

 a froth of white, which will reach a height of about five feet

in places.

We could lose the hens for days!

This is Owl Wood this morning.

The undergrowth is already almost at shoulder height for the hens.

They don't mind, it provides a handy wind-break for when they hunker down

for a gossip.

The owl box has new residents.

I saw them spring cleaning the place, this morning.

Jackdaws, 

again.

Where have all the Tawnies gone?

I haven't seen any signs of the hedgehogs yet

but I did see the bats flying around last night.

That is a sight which always makes me happy.

The wild plum trees are bursting into blossom

so 

I hope that means we'll have a good crop of plums from them this year.

They are a seasonal treat,  greatly anticipated and much enjoyed.

Rather like the wild garlic.

I gathered enough for a small baking session.

I made wild garlic scones,

a wild garlic and mushroom quiche

and wild garlic bread.

I won't bore you with them here,

I'll post them on my Parsonage Cottage Kitchen blog.

I like to keep an eye on things.

Just as Owl Wood likes to keep an eye on us.