Still No Moths, Millennium Wood and another Theatre Outing

I put out the moth trap last night for GMS Week 4. Minimum temperature recorded was minus 0.7 degrees centigrade so I wasn't surprised to find an empty trap again this morning!



I haven't been to Millennium Wood for ages so as I was in the area this morning and had half an hour to spare I made a brief visit. It was freezing cold with a bitingly cold wind.

This small nature reserve covers 10 acres and was planted with over 9000 trees and shrubs in 2000.




Most of the time (like today) I see very few birds just the commoner species such as Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Blackbird, Robin and Blue Tits but occasionally visits pay dividends and I've seen large flocks of Lesser Redpoll, Long-Tailed Tits, plus Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay and Bullfinches







The most productive part of the reserve, bird-wise, tends to be the area along the entrance road - there's a horse paddock on the opposite side of the road to the reserve and the hedgerows contains lots of holly bushes and mature oak trees. On the reserve side there is a layer of shrubs and bramble under the silver birches.







Last night David and I went to the Old Repertory Theatre for an event by The Rep called "Hidden Histories" which has been created by The Foundry - an artists' development programme for theatre makers, writers and directors. The evening consisted of a tour of the theatre with various events explaining the history of the Birmingham Rep which is 100 years old this year. The Rep spent the early part of its life at the Old Rep Theatre before moving to a new Theatre in Broad Street. In each of the locations we visited such as the Stage, Dressing Rooms and an Exhibition, 7 different short plays were enacted each covering an incident in the history of the Rep. It was a fascinating evening and we got chance to take part as the crowd in a scene from First Night/Twelfth Night(The Rep's first ever play). It was interesting to stand on stage and see the auditorium from the actor's viewpoint. The exhibition was very interesting with various props, programmes, costumes, miniature stage sets and information about the Rep's performances over the last 100 years. The last play of the evening was by David's friend who attends the Foundry as a Screenwriter.


Back at home the cold, snowy weather has brought in a few species that rarely visit the garden these days - Mistle and Song Thrushes though no Fieldfare this time. The Goldcrest is seen on the feeders every day and 3 wrens are still roosting in the hanging basket.



Primroses and Cowslip flowers and buds are covered in snow. I was hoping this week to return to St Giles - the churchyard I discovered last year which has masses of primroses. There doesn't seem to be much point at the moment if they are going to be as snow covered as ours.!

Snowdrops at Baddesley Clinton

I gave David a lift to Baddesley Clinton last Sunday and, as the House and Gardens weren't yet open when we arrived, I decided to walk towards Hay Wood. It was freezing cold and starting to snow!



No sign of any lambs yet amongst sheep in a nearby field



Fungi (as yet unidentified) growing on a tree stump





The Church of St Michael



Snowdrops covered the churchyard











Finally, arrived at Hay Wood - looks an interesting wood to walk round although I didn't have time today as it was time to return and meet David from his meeting.






After looking round the second hand bookshop (somehow resisted temptation of making several purchases) we went into the newly refurbished restaurant for coffee and cake.
Lovely to see pussy willow and daffodils on the tables.



The Lemon Cake was delicious






I also paid a brief visit to Millennium Wood recently in the hope of spotting Bullfinches or Redpolls. None around just the usual species - Blackbird, Wood Pigeon and Magpie but this friendly horse in a nearby paddock came to say "hello" !

2012 Highlights - Part 3

Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens were developed as formal walled gardens in the 17th and eighteenth centuries. They were neglected for many decades in the middle of the last century but were "rediscovered" and a trust was formed in 1985 with the aim of restoring the gardens to their splendour. I try and visit the Gardens once a month as they are such a peaceful and relaxing haven and full of beauty.

"In green old gardens hidden away
From sight of revel, and sound of strife......"

Violet Fane
1843 - 1905

April Visit

Bleeding Heart - I love this plant and managed to obtain a few for more my own garden last year.

Daffodil

Crown Imperial - Fritillaria imperialis

My Lady's Border

Fruit Blossom

Cowslip

Bluebell

Orange Tip

Tulips

Snakeshead Fritillary

Primrose

I visited again a few days later as Brian wanted to have a look round. I took the macro lens this time but we were only able to stay a short while as the heavens opened and we got soaked!

May Visit

I saw my first ever Tree Bumble Bee

After this first sighting I saw Tree Bumbles everywhere I went and had to release several from the garage at home

Back at the Gardens there was still plenty of blossom

and Marsh Marigolds were blooming

June Visit

Lower Wilderness

I spent ages trying to get a record shot of this Chimney Sweeper Moth found in the Extra Gardens

Visit to a Medieval Market Town - Henley-in-Arden
Not only is it very pretty there with lots of old buildings, there is also an icecream parlour and tearoom well worth a visit

White Swan - 16th century coaching inn

Remains of a fifeenth century market cross which was once 17 feet tall

George House - a timber framed building possibly sixteenth century

Guild Hall

Millennium Wood - another visit in April. Not many birds on this visit but a pleasant walk

Fairy Door with the latest adornments - sadly I think the decorations have now gone rather over the top.

Brandon Marsh

A visit to my favourite Nature Reserve in April resulted in several new species for the year - Peacock butterfly, Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Swallow and Chiffchaff

Fungi - I now think these are Turkeytail having identified some at CBHG

Coots and nest

St Giles, Baddesley Clinton and Packwood

In April I had a day out with a friend. I took her to see St Giles churchyard at Packwood and there were still plenty of Primroses in flower plus this Yellow Archangel

We had lunch at Baddesley and then looked round the gardens at Packwood House with its famous Yew Garden said to represent the Sermon on the Mount.

In May I paid a couple of visits to places connected with JRR Tolkien - author of "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" trilogy - again some of my favourite books.

Tolkien spend the years between 1896 and 1900 (when he was aged 4-8) at 5 Gracewell Cottages (now 264 Wake Green Road), Sarehole, and often used to play at the Mill. It has been suggested that this area which was then rural and a village provided him with inspiration for the Shire and The Great Mill.

Sarehole Mill

Tolkien also lived for a while in nearby Edgbaston where two towers can be found which may have provided inspiration for Minas Morgul and Minas Tirith (the Two Towers)

Victorian Tower part of Edgbaston Water Works

and a few hundred yards away can be found Perrott's Folly

Next year I plan to visit Moseley Bog - another place said to have provided Tolkien with inspiration.