Surveying for Dormice

Yesterday we were really lucky to be invited along to watch trained and licensed volunteers surveying for Dormice in an Exmoor wood.  This all came about because I fancy painting a Dormouse.  So for a while…

Nest Recording for the BTO

You may already be aware of the volunteer work that Jo and myself undertake for the BTO Nest Record Scheme. Jo is a registered nest recorder and each year we try to find and monitor nests within our local area. With…

Fitting Swift Boxes to our House

For a couple of years now Jo and myself have been thinking about making and fitting swift boxes to our house. We have breeding swifts in our village and felt that boxes may be successful. Unfortunately…

Putting up a Barn Owl Box

I have always loved painting barn owls, they are stunning birds with such beautiful colouration in their feathers – particularly on their wings. These ramblings are about making and putting up a barn owl box…

Marsh and Willow Tit Conservation

Six years ago I took a picture of a Marsh Tit at Tamar Lakes which I later painted. I had no idea that in 2019 I would be involved in a Marsh and Willow Tit conservation project. Or what that the subsequent…

Bird Nest Recording in a Local Wood

As a bit of background, Jo and I are registered nest recorders with the British Trust for Ornithology. For two years now we have undertaken bird nest recording for the BTO. This has involved us in monitoring…