Earth Day, Serfdom, Foraging & Tanuki

Humanity’s annual reminder that we live on – and with – Planet Earth. Earth Day was first proposed by activist John McConnell in 1969 and was introduced to the world in 1970. It’s a day filled with hope and hypocrisy, but it should be celebrated by all those who hold Mother Nature dear, not justContinue reading “Earth Day, Serfdom, Foraging & Tanuki”

Poor Fox With Scabies Scratches Itself – mangy vixen in my garden

his poor fox vixen has had scabies (mange) for several months now. Both she and her dog fox partner are daily visitors to my garden.Last year many fox cubs were born in my area – and I’m talking many – but most didn’t survive long because they all seemed to hang out around roadsides. TheContinue reading “Poor Fox With Scabies Scratches Itself – mangy vixen in my garden”

Talking dog argues with owner about whose bed it is. EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT.

Jack Russell terriers are both vocal and hard-headed. Mr. Growley the angry talking dog has the same argument every night with me – he thinks it’s his bed. He never wins but it’s been the same conversation for the last 9 years. He’s definitely an angri boi….He’s the most loving, devoted and loyal dog I’veContinue reading “Talking dog argues with owner about whose bed it is. EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT.”

Trail Camera Buying Tips – How to choose the perfect game camera for you

What to look for in a trail camera for hunting, wildlife management, wildlife photography or home security? There are so many game cameras out there, many from big name brands, so how do you know which one is right for you? Is it better to buy a more expensive one from an established brand orContinue reading “Trail Camera Buying Tips – How to choose the perfect game camera for you”

Red Deer Fawn is a Secret Land Rover Fan

Red deer (Cervus elaphus hippelaphus) use my neighbour’s abandoned property as a nursery, as it’s safer than being out in the forest with wolves, lynx and bears when raising their young. Now it’s rutting season, and many hunters are also out and about searching for the giant red deer stags which bellow night and dayContinue reading “Red Deer Fawn is a Secret Land Rover Fan”

Dolphins in Croatia – watching Bottleneck Dolphins from my terrace in Cesarica, Karlobag

We don’t always get to see them. Last time we were in the next village and we didn’t, but the time before that we actually encountered them whilst kayaking out on the sea near Karlobag in Croatia. These are Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursops truncatus), and sadly there are only about 220 left in Croatian waters. SeeingContinue reading “Dolphins in Croatia – watching Bottleneck Dolphins from my terrace in Cesarica, Karlobag”

Spring Bird Song – Natural Ambient Meditation Music

Early morning in a cottage garden in the Carpathian Mountains of East Slovakia. The birds are extremely lively after the long, hard winter and perform both the dawn chorus and their mating rituals. Due to the sheer number of species we get, many different bird calls can be heard – including: Blue TitGreat TitRobinBlackbirdYellowhammerJayGreen WoodpeckerGreatContinue reading “Spring Bird Song – Natural Ambient Meditation Music”

Slow Motion Garden Bird Battle – Great Tit versus Blue Tit (in snow)

All-round favourite Great Tit goes up against the tiny contender Blue Tit in this shocking battle for dominance over cake crumbs in snow in the dead of Winter. Who will come out on top? Never before seen footage of two of the most popular garden birds duking it out for their very survival, and fatContinue reading “Slow Motion Garden Bird Battle – Great Tit versus Blue Tit (in snow)”

Red Deer Stag Kills Man

A 78 year old man from Prievidza (a town in the west of Slovakia) has died in hospital a week after being attacked by a stag. Apparently, it was a spontaneous attack as the man tended his orchard – the stag charged and skewered him with its antlers. More can be read here – noviny.skContinue reading “Red Deer Stag Kills Man”

Mousecapades – Yellow-necked mouse infra red

Another denizen of my attic, the yellow necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis). This little critter is caught on infrared trailcam as he darts to and fro. While he may be cute, the yellow-necked mouse carries tick borne encephalitis and, worse yet, the Dobrava virus, which is the Eurasian Hanta virus. It has a 12% mortality rate.Continue reading “Mousecapades – Yellow-necked mouse infra red”