Surge of Activity

Have you noticed that the wildlife is getting busier? There seems to be a lot more bird and mammal activity as the autumn starts to kick in.

A good indicator of this surge of activity is the number of different tracks that have suddenly appeared on the main pathways of my local wood. The last time I went to identify tracks in this area about a month  ago, very little was to be seen.

Today, in my local wood, it was like a mini motorway.

There was badger...

Fox...

Muntjac...

Rabbit...

Cat(!?)

Not sure what the tracks between the fox tracks are. It could be weasel.

It was a beautiful weekend here and despite family commitments that stopped me going to the East Sussex meet, I was able to get out for a few hours on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, in Poor Park, I must have just missed some fallow deer laying up in my camp (no less - the cheek!) There were signs where they had scraped away the surface debris and in this photo you can see a dark urination patch (dead centre of picture). I deducted they were there perhaps 30 minutes before I came  along.

Today, I soaked up the sun as the temperature pushed its way into the 20's. After five hours in the woods I came home, sat outside with a beer and ate some strawberries. What a life!

Surge of Activity

Have you noticed that the wildlife is getting busier? There seems to be a lot more bird and mammal activity as the autumn starts to kick in.

A good indicator of this surge of activity is the number of different tracks that have suddenly appeared on the main pathways of my local wood. The last time I went to identify tracks in this area about a month  ago, very little was to be seen.

Today, in my local wood, it was like a mini motorway.

There was badger...

Fox...

Muntjac...

Rabbit...

Cat(!?)

Not sure what the tracks between the fox tracks are. It could be weasel.

It was a beautiful weekend here and despite family commitments that stopped me going to the East Sussex meet, I was able to get out for a few hours on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, in Poor Park, I must have just missed some fallow deer laying up in my camp (no less - the cheek!) There were signs where they had scraped away the surface debris and in this photo you can see a dark urination patch (dead centre of picture). I deducted they were there perhaps 30 minutes before I came  along.

Today, I soaked up the sun as the temperature pushed its way into the 20's. After five hours in the woods I came home, sat outside with a beer and ate some strawberries. What a life!

Three Days In Mark's Wood

The weekend's weather couldn't have been more perfect. I arrived at about 1.30pm at Mark's wood in Reading. The mile walk in was really pleasant and I stopped off to admire the still lake, which was on the way. I was pleased to reach the cool of the woods after a sweaty hike across the field leading from the lake.

The usual camp set up took place as the parachute was hoisted and King John's base-camp equipment was unloaded. We might laugh about the stuff he brings, but we're always grateful for the facilities and of course the camp kitchen producing the culinary delights of Saturday evening's meal. Did I imagine seeing a portable oven? No. There's definitely one sitting next to the washing up bowl!

As usual I set up the hammock and tarp on the slopes. The only change on this excursion was the choice of the heavier Nanock sleeping bag for the chillier nights. Later, we had a good chat about these bags and came to the conclusion they are bulky, heavy and not particularly efficient. I think a couple of us will be knocking on Alpkit's door before the winter sets in.

It was surprising how much quicker the darkness fell compared to the last time I was here. You have to work that much quicker to prepare the fire prior to dusk falling. The evening went racing past as we caught up, shared stories and drank a few (ahem) beers and brandies.

Despite a late start the next morning, there was still a slight mist, which gave a wonderful atmosphere to the wood. After a well needed fry up, Mark took us 'shrooming for a couple of hours where we identified a number of edible mushrooms - Amethyst deceiver, Spiny puffball, Bovine bolete, Penny bun and the excellent Chanterelle (pictured below).

At a rest stop near a small pond we spotted a pair of Emperor dragonflies and this Banded-demoiselle.

The afternoon was spent carrying up and chopping the fire wood collected from the Forestry yard, prepping the evening's meal and foraging in the small valley for willow to make Andy's bow drill hearth board. On the way I came across some Roe tracks and found a large Common frog.

The meal was, as usual, an excellent and extravagant affair created by Rich and John. A leg of Roe was cubed and fried up in red wine and onions with celery and carrots added later to make a venison stew. Potatoes were mashed up with cream, butter and garlic. This was finished off by Strawberry trifle for desert. Strawberry trifle?! Oh yes indeed. Base camp catering at its best! Well, anyone can be uncomfortable!

While the meal was cooking, Andy successfully tried out his new bow drill set up. The willow hearth worked well, but only when a lot more downward pressure had been applied on the thicker than normal spindle. The result was a fine glowing ember.

Estelle, who joined the group as John's guest, tried out flint and steel on charcloth. She was delighted with her success as some dried bracken burst into flames (Picture is a still from the video)

Bob built an interesting chair to follow in the mould of the other crafted chairs, which have become the trademark of Mark's site. He followed the design of putting two Roycroft pack frames together and added a number of horizontal branches to make a seat. His recent attendance on a Mors Kochanski course taught him how to do the lashings. The result was an ingenious, comfortable and stable seat.

And what did yours truly do? Well, I was slaving behind the video camera recording what went on of course. A full high definition account of this will be available next week once I've edited the two hours of footage down to fifteen minutes! Tough job, but someone had to do it!

Again dusk fell and another fine evening was spent around the fire; the conversation and banter was inter-dispersed with Mark's haunting Native American flute melodies.

The morning found Andy, Steve and I looking over the fields to some Roe deer browsing by the wood edge that Steve had spotted. We decided to stalk up to them and managed to get quite close at about 30 yards. I might have got even closer but I wanted some video shots that stopped me getting down to a crawl. I don't often see Roe and it was great to get this close even though I was inevitably spotted. (Picture is a still from the video)

Time went around quickly and all too soon it was time to pack up. The camp kitchen was loaded up onto John's truck as was our rucksacks and we walked out of the site across the fields and back to the Forestry yard with the warm sun on our backs.

This was a fantastic weekend and thanks to everyone there who made it like it was.

Pablo.

Three Days In Mark's Wood

The weekend's weather couldn't have been more perfect. I arrived at about 1.30pm at Mark's wood in Reading. The mile walk in was really pleasant and I stopped off to admire the still lake, which was on the way. I was pleased to reach the cool of the woods after a sweaty hike across the field leading from the lake.

The usual camp set up took place as the parachute was hoisted and King John's base-camp equipment was unloaded. We might laugh about the stuff he brings, but we're always grateful for the facilities and of course the camp kitchen producing the culinary delights of Saturday evening's meal. Did I imagine seeing a portable oven? No. There's definitely one sitting next to the washing up bowl!

As usual I set up the hammock and tarp on the slopes. The only change on this excursion was the choice of the heavier Nanock sleeping bag for the chillier nights. Later, we had a good chat about these bags and came to the conclusion they are bulky, heavy and not particularly efficient. I think a couple of us will be knocking on Alpkit's door before the winter sets in.

It was surprising how much quicker the darkness fell compared to the last time I was here. You have to work that much quicker to prepare the fire prior to dusk falling. The evening went racing past as we caught up, shared stories and drank a few (ahem) beers and brandies.

Despite a late start the next morning, there was still a slight mist, which gave a wonderful atmosphere to the wood. After a well needed fry up, Mark took us 'shrooming for a couple of hours where we identified a number of edible mushrooms - Amethyst deceiver, Spiny puffball, Bovine bolete, Penny bun and the excellent Chanterelle (pictured below).

At a rest stop near a small pond we spotted a pair of Emperor dragonflies and this Banded-demoiselle.

The afternoon was spent carrying up and chopping the fire wood collected from the Forestry yard, prepping the evening's meal and foraging in the small valley for willow to make Andy's bow drill hearth board. On the way I came across some Roe tracks and found a large Common frog.

The meal was, as usual, an excellent and extravagant affair created by Rich and John. A leg of Roe was cubed and fried up in red wine and onions with celery and carrots added later to make a venison stew. Potatoes were mashed up with cream, butter and garlic. This was finished off by Strawberry trifle for desert. Strawberry trifle?! Oh yes indeed. Base camp catering at its best! Well, anyone can be uncomfortable!

While the meal was cooking, Andy successfully tried out his new bow drill set up. The willow hearth worked well, but only when a lot more downward pressure had been applied on the thicker than normal spindle. The result was a fine glowing ember.

Estelle, who joined the group as John's guest, tried out flint and steel on charcloth. She was delighted with her success as some dried bracken burst into flames (Picture is a still from the video)

Bob built an interesting chair to follow in the mould of the other crafted chairs, which have become the trademark of Mark's site. He followed the design of putting two Roycroft pack frames together and added a number of horizontal branches to make a seat. His recent attendance on a Mors Kochanski course taught him how to do the lashings. The result was an ingenious, comfortable and stable seat.

And what did yours truly do? Well, I was slaving behind the video camera recording what went on of course. A full high definition account of this will be available next week once I've edited the two hours of footage down to fifteen minutes! Tough job, but someone had to do it!

Again dusk fell and another fine evening was spent around the fire; the conversation and banter was inter-dispersed with Mark's haunting Native American flute melodies.

The morning found Andy, Steve and I looking over the fields to some Roe deer browsing by the wood edge that Steve had spotted. We decided to stalk up to them and managed to get quite close at about 30 yards. I might have got even closer but I wanted some video shots that stopped me getting down to a crawl. I don't often see Roe and it was great to get this close even though I was inevitably spotted. (Picture is a still from the video)

Time went around quickly and all too soon it was time to pack up. The camp kitchen was loaded up onto John's truck as was our rucksacks and we walked out of the site across the fields and back to the Forestry yard with the warm sun on our backs.

This was a fantastic weekend and thanks to everyone there who made it like it was.

Pablo.

Admin and Stuff Sacks

If you're lucky enough to go on regular excursions and meets you soon realise there's actually quite a lot you have to do to prepare for the trip even if it's just for a weekend. This becomes second nature eventually, but it's still worth doing it thoroughly in case something is forgotten.

There are obvious things you have to do like choosing what kit to take depending on environment, location and weather - but you also have to sort out what I call "regular admin" i.e. things that you have to prepare on a regular basis for every trip.

Most of the time I top up items immediately after the last excursion, but it's always worth a check when you pack for the next one. So here is my personal admin list:

Make sure tea, coffee and sugar is topped up in brew kit bag
Check fuel (if using liquid, gas or solid fuel)
Check hygiene pack: top up toilet paper, medicines, alcohol gel
Check first aid kit contents
Sharpen knife or knives/axes
Recharge camera batteries
Clean, Wax or dubbin boots
Charge mobile phone
Pack or print off map of area
Fill water carrier with fresh water (if needed)
Prepare rations (ingredients or pre-prepared food)
Check utility bag for tools/items needed or not needed for the particular excursion

New for this weekend's 3-day trip down to Reading is the use of coloured stuff sacks. These are Exped waterproof stuff sacks from the Little Adventure Shop (£19-95  for a set of 4 varying sizes) that can compress soft contents quite significantly. The use of different colours is handy to quickly identify the contents (although these also have a see through panel.)

In one stuff sack I've packed my Swanndri and spare socks; in another is the hammock and ties; in the other the tarp. Food will go in another (not shown).

The contents of the rucksack are now compressed, protected from damp and wet, easy to find and organised. I can't think why I haven't done this before.

Admin and Stuff Sacks

If you're lucky enough to go on regular excursions and meets you soon realise there's actually quite a lot you have to do to prepare for the trip even if it's just for a weekend. This becomes second nature eventually, but it's still worth doing it thoroughly in case something is forgotten.

There are obvious things you have to do like choosing what kit to take depending on environment, location and weather - but you also have to sort out what I call "regular admin" i.e. things that you have to prepare on a regular basis for every trip.

Most of the time I top up items immediately after the last excursion, but it's always worth a check when you pack for the next one. So here is my personal admin list:

Make sure tea, coffee and sugar is topped up in brew kit bag
Check fuel (if using liquid, gas or solid fuel)
Check hygiene pack: top up toilet paper, medicines, alcohol gel
Check first aid kit contents
Sharpen knife or knives/axes
Recharge camera batteries
Clean, Wax or dubbin boots
Charge mobile phone
Pack or print off map of area
Fill water carrier with fresh water (if needed)
Prepare rations (ingredients or pre-prepared food)
Check utility bag for tools/items needed or not needed for the particular excursion

New for this weekend's 3-day trip down to Reading is the use of coloured stuff sacks. These are Exped waterproof stuff sacks from the Little Adventure Shop (£19-95  for a set of 4 varying sizes) that can compress soft contents quite significantly. The use of different colours is handy to quickly identify the contents (although these also have a see through panel.)

In one stuff sack I've packed my Swanndri and spare socks; in another is the hammock and ties; in the other the tarp. Food will go in another (not shown).

The contents of the rucksack are now compressed, protected from damp and wet, easy to find and organised. I can't think why I haven't done this before.

Last of the Summer Wine

Despite a couple of quite sunny days, the temperature dropped and the wind turned a little chilly. I could just feel a slight coolness on my fingers as the wind turned to blow from the north. Some say Autumn has started but I still say it's late summer. (Ever the optimist.)

I went out to Poor Park Woods yesterday and unsuccessfully tracked the Fallow deer around the woods for a few hours. They led me on a hilarious merry dance which I'll talk about another time. I ended up exhausted and, after a rest, decided to gather the last of the blackberries for my special Christmas brew. I had to be selective as many had passed their sell by date.

The landscape looked decidedly weary. Fields have been ploughed and the foliage looks decidedly tired and droopy. An occasional yellow leaf fluttered gently earthward on the breeze. No. It won't be long, but it's not here yet.

To prove a point I went to Broaks Wood today. It was actually warmer and the wind was again coming from the south west . 

I concentrated my efforts on the ponds and the dragonflies. I've not taken many photos of dragonflies this year and there wouldn't be too many chances left.

The bright morning sunshine brought out the larger ones first. An Emperor was hawking the main pond. Despite the 45 degree angled stick trick, he wouldn't land for love nor money.

 

The male Common darter didn't disappoint when I tried to get it on my finger.

The female's were a little more shy and tended to stay in the higher branches.

The Southern hawker preferred to "hang" on the gorse waiting until a little later for his flight.

This Forest bug clung to my trousers as if to hide from the aerial battles although with all that armour, I'm sure he would be fine.

This unidentified spider spun it's web quickly in the hopes of catching one of the dragonflies.

You find strange things in Broaks Wood ponds (after a design by Fenlander - cheers mate) much to the delight of the young naturalists in the area, who didn't see me put it in the pond!

Yes, it will soon be Autumn by my calculations. This weekend was definitely the Last of the Summer Wine.

Thanks for the visit.

Pablo.

Last of the Summer Wine

Despite a couple of quite sunny days, the temperature dropped and the wind turned a little chilly. I could just feel a slight coolness on my fingers as the wind turned to blow from the north. Some say Autumn has started but I still say it's late summer. (Ever the optimist.)

I went out to Poor Park Woods yesterday and unsuccessfully tracked the Fallow deer around the woods for a few hours. They led me on a hilarious merry dance which I'll talk about another time. I ended up exhausted and, after a rest, decided to gather the last of the blackberries for my special Christmas brew. I had to be selective as many had passed their sell by date.

The landscape looked decidedly weary. Fields have been ploughed and the foliage looks decidedly tired and droopy. An occasional yellow leaf fluttered gently earthward on the breeze. No. It won't be long, but it's not here yet.

To prove a point I went to Broaks Wood today. It was actually warmer and the wind was again coming from the south west . 

I concentrated my efforts on the ponds and the dragonflies. I've not taken many photos of dragonflies this year and there wouldn't be too many chances left.

The bright morning sunshine brought out the larger ones first. An Emperor was hawking the main pond. Despite the 45 degree angled stick trick, he wouldn't land for love nor money.

 

The male Common darter didn't disappoint when I tried to get it on my finger.

The female's were a little more shy and tended to stay in the higher branches.

The Southern hawker preferred to "hang" on the gorse waiting until a little later for his flight.

This Forest bug clung to my trousers as if to hide from the aerial battles although with all that armour, I'm sure he would be fine.

This unidentified spider spun it's web quickly in the hopes of catching one of the dragonflies.

You find strange things in Broaks Wood ponds (after a design by Fenlander - cheers mate) much to the delight of the young naturalists in the area, who didn't see me put it in the pond!

Yes, it will soon be Autumn by my calculations. This weekend was definitely the Last of the Summer Wine.

Thanks for the visit.

Pablo.