Wow , just when you think it can’t get any warmer , it does . The thermometer at the hide today showed 37c , the hottest ever at the hide and there doesn’t seem to be any relief on the horizon. The hot weather is having a drastic effect on our water usage. Sounds like a broken record but we are now carrying in water on a weekly basis.

During the past few weeks , one of the highlights has definitely been watching and following the movements of a family of Bank voles. These little bundles of nervous energy are super cute and they have been popping up all over the wood pile that surround the ponds. They are also rather fond of Blackberries , which is handy as they grow all the way along one of our boundary hedges ! Getting a decent photo proved difficult at first , these little mammals are quick.

Meet the gang

Here’s today’s roll call for all the Feathers and furries visiting the meadow and ponds, starting with the furries and my new best buddies the Bank vole. Then we have the voles big cousin the Rat pack. Followed by the Rabbit family and a single Male Roe deer. Finally for the furries a rare visitor to the meadow , a single male Weasel.

Next on the list , the smaller birds including all the ever-present . The Robin’s , Blue tits , Great tits , Dunnock , Chaffinch and Wren. Then we have the Bullfinch , Chiffchaff , Goldfinch and Yellowhammer . The last on this part of the list , the Yellowhammer is becoming a little bit of a regular visitor to the ponds . Much like the Bullfinch it only seems to be interested in the water and never goes anywhere near the feeders.

So last but definitely not least we have the larger birds including, with the Jay , Jackdaw , Magpie and Wood Pigeon all making the list. Then we have the game birds and today we had both Partridge and Pheasant appearing at the ponds. Overhead enjoying the thermals we have the red kite , now a familiar sight once again in our skies. The Tawny Owl is still proving to be elusive , we can hear a pair of them calling each other and they have been captured on our trail camera but we are still no closer to spotting them.

©️ wildonline.blog 2026 , all rights reserved