Category: Notes from the sticks

A FEW days ago my husband Alan heard a cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) while he was on the fells with the dog. According to the old rhyme, ‘in June I change … Continue readingCuckoos clocked

IN A masterpiece of timing, after the fourth-wettest May on record the Royal Horticultural Society has told gardeners that they should not water their lawns but allow them to die back. … Continue readingBrowned off

I THINK I may be in a minority by liking Canada geese (Branta canadensis). I am sure if there were fewer of them they would be a lot more popular. Certainly … Continue readingHonk if you’re a good parent

ONE my favourite YouTube clips is this one from November 2011 of a black labrador called Fenton having a great time chasing red deer in Richmond Park while his owner … Continue readingStag do

HERE we are in the middle of May and I am still wearing my thermal vest. We have had frost nearly every night until the last few days and even … Continue readingShivering through spring

I HAVE always been fond of slugs (and snails, but I will do them in another blog). I believe I have the world’s largest and finest collection of ornamental slugs. … Continue readingHow to get along with slugs

WALKING beside the Ribble last week I found myself amidst a swarm of fast-flying sand martins. I had never seen so many at once so I had a go at … Continue readingSurrounded by sand martins

THIS week saw I ants scurrying about outside the front of the house for the first time this year. I find it quite hard to love ants, but like everything … Continue readingFor every human, a million ants

IT’S BEEN very cold here for several weeks, and dry as well. Apparently this is caused by an area of high pressure stubbornly lodged over Northern Europe. (This type of … Continue readingBeware of the cat

ON the other side of our stream is a steep bank which is covered with ivy. Occasionally I see a quick movement amongst the leaves and I immediately think it … Continue readingThe industrious Mr Wren