From Little Oaks

Today, land owner Joe Goddard and me set out to plant a few tree's in Manor House spinney. Each year I get a few tree's presented to me in exchange for doing a Wildlife talk at a Brockshill Country park. 

http://www.oadby-wigston.gov.uk/pages/brocks_hill_visitor_centre_and_country_park

Native species, mainly Oak with a few Horse Chestnuts now and again. These tree's are only small but ideal for out needs around my patch.

Oak & Horse Chestnut.

As you can see from the next image the spinney is getting rather sparse in some places, we hope to sort this for future generations, we plant about a dozen tree's each year, which doesn't seem a lot, but over a ten year period it equates to 120 new trees.

Joe is a great lover of nature in all its forms and is alway seen working on something or other around his land. I am indebted to him for allowing me the privilege of sharing it with him.
Joe likes to plant trees when possible next to an old removed tree stump, the new tree will feed off the rotting old stump and hopefully thrive. Cookie as you can see is never far from Joe's side.

Joe in action planting a small Oak.

While planting our next tree, we heard a scurry behind us, it was Cookie in full pursuit. We called but he ignored us, after a while we saw what he was after, a Pheasant. He was carrying it in his jaws, Joe said "Cookie leave" at which point Cookie dropped the bird. 

We assumed it was dead as it was lifeless, Cookie looked on. As we were discussing whether it would be a meal for Sue & Joe or the Buzzard it moved. It must have been stupefied momentarily, the only problem now was as soon as it moved Cookie was back on the prowl again.

Joe called him off and the Pheasant was away like a shot, a lucky old Pheasant if you ask me.

Here Cookie.

As we finished off the planting, I asked Joe if he would pose behind one of the Oaks,of course he agreed, we spoke about how good it would be to see it in a 100 years time, better still if I could take the picture as well, that would be nice aye.

Joe with the Lock house behind.

As we arrived back at the house we spoke again (yes we have ideas but don't always get around to completing them) about fixing a perch over the pond for the Kingfisher, we both agree its a good idea and decided we need to get the boat out and drive the perch in from the water side. I will let you know when we complete this mammoth task.

The Pond.

After a brew and scone, and a nice chat back at the house, it was time to leave, as I walked to my car I looked at the old barn and realised that  it won't be too long now before the Swallows will arrive back from Africa to start the their whole life cycle over again. Not long to Spring now, I can't wait.

The old Swallow barn.