Various ramblings by the small hobbit

It's been hot, so I've not been walking very far.

Big Butterfly Count
I did eleven counts altogether during the main count, and have submitted a further three since these can continue until the end of the month. Butterflies I saw in the period: Small white, Speckled wood, Meadow brown, Painted lady, Red admiral, Green veined white, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Large white.

British Trust for Ornithology
Now back to recording the garden birds every week. And regularly refilling the water bowls.

30 Days Wild

My activity over the past month:

British Trust for Ornithology: I've reported Garden Bird Counts every week.  Lots of sparrows, plus some pigeons.  One sparrow had a bath in our smallest water bowl, much to the disgust of the pigeon which arrived a little later and didn't fancy sparrow bird water.  I've done 8 surveys for Birds in Green Spaces in two sites, including yesterday when it was Birds in Green Spaces Big Day.

UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme: Nothing this month.  It's only just stopped raining for long enough to get out for a survey.

Butterfly Conservation: Butterflies for the New Millennium. 4 counts. It has not been butterfly weather!  Voted for Britain's Favourite Butterfly and took the quiz to see what sort of butterfly I was. (Large skipper - energetic and feisty)

30 Days Wild: Have gone out for a walk every day with an aim to keeping to the theme of the day.  I've practised recognising bird song and downloaded a number of spotter sheets which I can continue to use over the summer.  I also made a wildflower collage for fan_flashworks based on local wildflowers.

Maintenance: Topping up the water bowls and cleaning them now it's not raining.

Sightings of note: The swans together with five growing cygnets. A furry caterpillar. Several damselflies, including beautiful demoiselle.

Other activities: None

My activity over the past month:

British Trust for Ornithology: I've reported Garden Bird Counts every week, except when on holiday.  Numbers are now up, as the sparrows are finding insects on our plants, and the pigeons and magpies appreciate the water we provide.  I've done 7 surveys for Birds in Green Spaces in two sites.

UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme:  So far I've only managed one survey early last month.  Whenever I've had the time the weather has not been too cold.

Butterfly Conservation:  Butterflies for the New Millenium. 7 counts.  Because this is not site specific - I add location when submitting the report - there's more opportunity simply to count the butterflies.

Maintenance: Regularly topping up the water bowls on not so rainy days.  Emptied the bird feeder at the end of April to tie in with new guidelines - not that anything apart from the occasional pigeon was using it.

Sightings of note: Walking along the canal I spotted the swan on her nest with about 4 cygnets (exact number difficult to ascertain as she was on the opposite bank).  In addition I saw 2 moorhens and a cormorant.

Other activities: I've signed up for 30 Days Wild 2026 with the Wildlife Trust and downloaded the planner.  I've also signed up to vote for Britain's Favourite Butterfly.

Normally I would set my new goals towards the end of April, but this year I'm planning on beginning them this month, and running them with a month's overlap - my goals, my rules.

Goal No 1: Do a Themed Monthly Post
This is the same as this past year, when my theme was 'The View from the Window'.  That will be completed at the end of the month - we're on a coach tour through parts of Germany for a week towards the end of the month, so I shall be including a selection of hotel bedroom views.  I find having a theme to concentrate on for a year helpful, so this year my theme will be Water.  My intention is that there will be at least one photo from the canal, plus anything else suitable.

Goal No 2: Concentrate on Some Knitting Projects
Like most crafters I have a selection of books and magazines.  Many of which have projects which appeal, but remain in the book/magazine.  While I shall continue knitting my jumper, it's not something I can pick up for the odd 10-15 minutes, due to the pattern, so finding smaller projects would be a good move.  Last year with 25 in 2025, one of my 25 was to reduce the number of cross stitch kits I had.  That worked well, and I'm continuing to do so.  Also, I've finally found a knitting magazine I like, so I'm aiming to achieve 4 projects from the issues I have (I bought a number of back issues), plus at least one thing from the Christmas volumes.



Goal No 3: Engage More with Nature
I've bought a new notebook (of course) and intend to keep a weekly record of what I'm doing.  Last year I had grander plans of visiting places, but this came to nothing, as it would have been too time consuming.  I've realised that what works for me is to go out in the local area, so a 5-10 minute walk, and spend an hour outside (give or take, in view of the weather) two or three times a week.  I should probably do a monthly post, so that I keep myself accountable.  No-one needs to feel they have to comment, it's for my benefit!