Wasps

The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is now creeping in and our Discovery apple tree is proving its usual magnet for the local wasp population – and there’s a question that has never been answered properly – “What is the use of a wasp?” The sharp-tailed ones are hot into any fruit that drops off the tree, and you've got to be pretty quick to get an unmarked apple while it is still growing. They seem to prefer the fruit when it is brownish and very juicy and set traps all over ...

A Squirrel Solution

Ever had an issue with squirrels gorging themselves with all the food in your bird feeders that were meant for birds? Well, the Twootz team have looked into this, and here are some useful tips: Put the feeders out of their reach (squirrels can jump 5 to 6 feet from rest, so at least 10 feet from any surface should work) Use a squirrel proof feeder, such as the Squirrel Proof Dome Feeder that we offer Attach a squirrel collar on the bird feeder’s pole or chain to keep squirrels away ...

Young Squirrels

Red squirrels feed in our garden all year round and we have seen as many as eight at any one time. When they are young, as in this hurriedly-snapped picture, they tolerate each other's presence and indulge in rough-and-tumbles just like other small creatures. However as the summer rolls on and they become more adult, they become far more aggressive towards their siblings.They spend more time defending the nut-feeder than they do feeding. Whatever the stage of social interaction, th ...

The Birdwatcher’s Glastonbury: Annual Bird Fair in Rutland!

The Bird fair encompasses the whole spectrum of the birdwatching industry whilst at the same time supporting global bird conservation. This is the event of the year if you’re into birds and wildlife. A wide range of fantastic conservation projects have been supported by Birdfair. There are hundreds of stands selling the latest products for wildlife enthusiasts. You’ll find everything, from scopes to sculptures, binoculars to bird food, eGuides to eco-holidays! This weekend the Tw ...

Moth Traps

Moths like this superb Eyed Hawkmoth are reasonably common and easy to find in your garden if you have the right equipment! As a birder I often get a little frustrated once the sun goes down, the birds go to roost and there's only owls left to look for, this of course is brilliant but Owling is time consuming and involves plenty of traveling. I found the answer..........Moths! I started trapping moths about 7 years ago, purely for something to do in the evenings when Birding subsides. Moth ...

It's a Dogs Life!

I’ve had many pets through the years, growing up as a small boy my parents always had pets around the house. Good company, good fun and always happy to see you. My pet list over the years has been impressive, from the usual cats and dogs to ferrets and gerbils. As I’ve got older, my wife and I have carried on the tradition of family pets, and my children have also benefited from having pets around them - Cats, Snakes, Guinea Pigs, Stick Insects, Hamsters and Rabbits to name but a few. W ...

Springwatch!

Springwatch is back on our screens (BBC2) for its tenth year, this year they have based themselves at the fabulous RSPB Reserve at Minsmere in Suffolk. Minsmere is the RSPBs flagship reserve and hosts an amazing 5600 species of plants, insects, mammals and birds! The programme this year is concentrating on bird species such as Avocets, Bitterns, Cuckoos, Stone Curlews, Nightingales, Marsh harriers, White –tailed Eagles and Garden Birds. Mammals being followed this year include Fox’s, Badger ...

Treats for your Free Range chickens

My brother has kept Chickens for some time now; he lives in a rural location close to Rutland Water and manages to keep his 1 male and 3 female Chickens happy in a coop in his garden. Originally the Chicken was a pet ‘request’ from one of his children, so he went to purchase one at a local farmers market, the seller managed to convince him that one would be unhappy so home he came with 4! The Coop was set up, a magnificent structure on two levels and during the day the Chickens ha ...

Twootz and the Badger Conservation Project

Not a typical birding story but illustrates an alternative use for bird food products. I run a wildlife conservation group whose focus is on badger conservation, helping to protect badgers from persecution such as badger baiting. Picture 1 Part of the group's conservation fieldwork involves establishing where badgers live and what territories they occupy, this is quite a challenge as badgers are shy nocturnal animals. One method is to use specially prepared food which is left for them, b ...

Battening Down The Hatches By David Cole

Battening down the hatches for the much predicted cold snap - which is to be accompanied by gale force winds, or heavy rain, or sleet and snow depending on which smiling weather boy or girl happens to pop up at the end of the News to further depress us - I have taken to musing about how the other folk in the surrounding countryside cope with the weather. The window of the room where my computer lives overlooks part of the vegetable garden, and I was curious as to why Mrs C. - who was clearing ...

Deer Watching

One of nature's great spectacles - the crowds of deer watchers who converge on Petworth Park in Sussex to witness the annual deer rut is drawing to a close. In October (and for a period of about three weeks) the testosterone fueled male deer of the large fallow herd are busy sorting out the pecking order for the breeding which is to follow. Bucks, for that is what they are, (Stags are the males of Red Deer,) are busy bellowing, groaning and thrashing antlers with any other buck who cares ...

October - A Busy Time For Wildlife

In October wildlife start to make preparations for winter and birds are on the move. Small birds such as tits, nuthatches and other woodland birds are joining other species to form flocks so keep an eye out for groups of birds arriving at your feeders. Now as winter progresses and the cold snaps arrive, birds will become more dependent on the food you put out. Make sure you clean your feeders and tables now, and get into the routine of washing them regularly. Resist the urge to cut bac ...

Bird Watching in Deepest West Sussex From David Cole

The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is now creeping in and our Discovery apple tree is proving its usual magnet for the local wasp population - and there's a question that has never been answered properly - "What is the use of a wasp ?" The sharp-tailed ones are hot into any fruit that drops off the tree, and you've got to be pretty quick to get an unmarked apple while it is still growing. They seem to prefer the fruit when it is brownish and very juicy and set traps all over the ...