Spring Flowers

I had minimal woods time this weekend and maximum catch-up with the family. It wasn't a bad move as most of the weekend here in the east was windy and dreary. Still, I managed to get out on Saturday for a walk in Lowt’s Wood.

As expected the Bluebells were on their way out, but a few were still looking good.

The hedgerows were full of garlic mustard. I picked some leaves to help flavour the family Sunday roast.

Yellow archangel was abundant on the sides of a seldom used path. This plant is a relative of the dead nettles and is considered a guardian of the wood. It shouldn’t be confused with Yellow rattle which flowers later. The Yellow archangel has tiny red streaks through the bottom lip of the flower.

Red campion is found everywhere in these woods.

Not so far away I snapped this handsome looking insect on a nettle leaf. I have no idea what it is. It could be a leaf cutter bug or even a moth. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Although I saw no mammals, the woods were full of birds sounds including a cuckoo and, uncommonly, a male and female Tawny owl calling to each other.

These are wonderful woods but particularly at this time of year. After a little packed lunch, I couldn’t help myself and while sitting against a tree, felt the woods take me away in a little doze only to be woken by large raindrops falling down my neck. Reluctantly, I made my way home.

Spring Flowers

I had minimal woods time this weekend and maximum catch-up with the family. It wasn't a bad move as most of the weekend here in the east was windy and dreary. Still, I managed to get out on Saturday for a walk in Lowt’s Wood.

As expected the Bluebells were on their way out, but a few were still looking good.

The hedgerows were full of garlic mustard. I picked some leaves to help flavour the family Sunday roast.

Yellow archangel was abundant on the sides of a seldom used path. This plant is a relative of the dead nettles and is considered a guardian of the wood. It shouldn’t be confused with Yellow rattle which flowers later. The Yellow archangel has tiny red streaks through the bottom lip of the flower.

Red campion is found everywhere in these woods.

Not so far away I snapped this handsome looking insect on a nettle leaf. I have no idea what it is. It could be a leaf cutter bug or even a moth. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Although I saw no mammals, the woods were full of birds sounds including a cuckoo and, uncommonly, a male and female Tawny owl calling to each other.

These are wonderful woods but particularly at this time of year. After a little packed lunch, I couldn’t help myself and while sitting against a tree, felt the woods take me away in a little doze only to be woken by large raindrops falling down my neck. Reluctantly, I made my way home.

The Mystery of the Missing Man

If you are sitting comfortably, then I will begin…

When I was abroad I loved to climb up the steep, steep slope of the Cap des Llibrell. It was only 170 meters to the top, but it still took about 40 minutes by following the loose gravel path.

After the false summit, you can back-track and go up to the actual summit by following a smaller animal size trail. The tracks are wooded with Mediterranean pine and boulders on both sides. On the way, you are afforded spectacular views of the neighbouring cove of Santa Eularia and, in the distance to the south, the island of Formentera.

Once at the top, I came across what I can only describe as foundations of a round building. At least, they appeared circular and had a cross in the centre. At the time I had no idea what this was.

I sat down within the circle only to have a very strange feeling. Most of you who know me would say that I am the least spiritual person in the world, but still, I had this strange feeling I couldn’t put my finger on nor describe. Perhaps it had something to do with the utter silence of the place. I heard nothing - not even a bird-song. Nevertheless, I stayed where I was and enjoyed the sit-spot.

When I returned to the hotel I tried to find out what the foundations were and as luck would have it, there would be a guided tour going up the hill the next day.

My first question to the guide the next day was met with a knowing grin and I had to endure a slow route march back up the hill before I found out. As it turns out, the remains were that of a watch-tower.

The islands are famous for their pirate watch-towers, which were used as a surveillance system to protect the island’s rich salt resources from marauders. The look-out towers were constructed as far back as the Phoenician occupation from  3,000 years ago, right up until the 18th century when more substantial towers (or Torres) than the one at Llibrell were built. It was suggested that the tower at Cap des Llibrell may have been constructed around the Roman occupation. But on a more grisly note, it was said that human sacrifices were made in earlier times at the very same site, being right on the summit. It’s alleged that bodies were rolled down the nearby gully.

 

Is that the end of my tale? No. It’s just the start…

On Sunday 8 July 2001, following the family’s arrival at Calla Llonga , Jeffrey Hodgson, a mentally handicapped man with a mental age of an eight year old child, vanished from the reception area of the Sirenis Playa Hotel in the Cala Llonga while his parents Beryl and Derek were checking into the hotel. He was found 15 months later in a gully on the Cap des Llibrell.

[click to enlarge pic]

There appeared to be terrible mistakes made by the Spanish police (not least that they didn’t commence the search in earnest until 24 hours after Jeffrey initially went missing) and assumed to this day, contrary to the family’s conclusion, that Jeffrey had walked up the track and down the gully unaided where he curled up and died. I will let you read all the details for yourself.

There is no mention of the tower or of the previous history of the Cap des Llibrell; nor does any report mention the state of Jeffrey’s body when he was found except that there was no evidence to suggest any form of criminality against Jeffrey. The only consolation for the family is that the Stockport coroner on 20th July 2004 declared an open verdict.

Can there be a link between the foundations of the ancient tower, the site of the human sacrifices and my own strange feelings around the area? An open verdict adds weight to the mystery.

I can’t help agreeing with the verdict and that there was more to the supposed facts that poor Jeffrey simply wandered off and got lost in the pine strewn woods, although I know first hand that that wouldn’t be impossible.

I suppose we will never know.

If you load this kmz file into Google Earth, I will take you on a tour of the route and show you where the body was found but you can also see the details on the map above.

The Mystery of the Missing Man

If you are sitting comfortably, then I will begin…

When I was abroad I loved to climb up the steep, steep slope of the Cap des Llibrell. It was only 170 meters to the top, but it still took about 40 minutes by following the loose gravel path.

After the false summit, you can back-track and go up to the actual summit by following a smaller animal size trail. The tracks are wooded with Mediterranean pine and boulders on both sides. On the way, you are afforded spectacular views of the neighbouring cove of Santa Eularia and, in the distance to the south, the island of Formentera.

Once at the top, I came across what I can only describe as foundations of a round building. At least, they appeared circular and had a cross in the centre. At the time I had no idea what this was.

I sat down within the circle only to have a very strange feeling. Most of you who know me would say that I am the least spiritual person in the world, but still, I had this strange feeling I couldn’t put my finger on nor describe. Perhaps it had something to do with the utter silence of the place. I heard nothing - not even a bird-song. Nevertheless, I stayed where I was and enjoyed the sit-spot.

When I returned to the hotel I tried to find out what the foundations were and as luck would have it, there would be a guided tour going up the hill the next day.

My first question to the guide the next day was met with a knowing grin and I had to endure a slow route march back up the hill before I found out. As it turns out, the remains were that of a watch-tower.

The islands are famous for their pirate watch-towers, which were used as a surveillance system to protect the island’s rich salt resources from marauders. The look-out towers were constructed as far back as the Phoenician occupation from  3,000 years ago, right up until the 18th century when more substantial towers (or Torres) than the one at Llibrell were built. It was suggested that the tower at Cap des Llibrell may have been constructed around the Roman occupation. But on a more grisly note, it was said that human sacrifices were made in earlier times at the very same site, being right on the summit. It’s alleged that bodies were rolled down the nearby gully.

 

Is that the end of my tale? No. It’s just the start…

On Sunday 8 July 2001, following the family’s arrival at Calla Llonga , Jeffrey Hodgson, a mentally handicapped man with a mental age of an eight year old child, vanished from the reception area of the Sirenis Playa Hotel in the Cala Llonga while his parents Beryl and Derek were checking into the hotel. He was found 15 months later in a gully on the Cap des Llibrell.

[click to enlarge pic]

There appeared to be terrible mistakes made by the Spanish police (not least that they didn’t commence the search in earnest until 24 hours after Jeffrey initially went missing) and assumed to this day, contrary to the family’s conclusion, that Jeffrey had walked up the track and down the gully unaided where he curled up and died. I will let you read all the details for yourself.

There is no mention of the tower or of the previous history of the Cap des Llibrell; nor does any report mention the state of Jeffrey’s body when he was found except that there was no evidence to suggest any form of criminality against Jeffrey. The only consolation for the family is that the Stockport coroner on 20th July 2004 declared an open verdict.

Can there be a link between the foundations of the ancient tower, the site of the human sacrifices and my own strange feelings around the area? An open verdict adds weight to the mystery.

I can’t help agreeing with the verdict and that there was more to the supposed facts that poor Jeffrey simply wandered off and got lost in the pine strewn woods, although I know first hand that that wouldn’t be impossible.

I suppose we will never know.

If you load this kmz file into Google Earth, I will take you on a tour of the route and show you where the body was found but you can also see the details on the map above.

SAR and R

Before I started my Rest and Recuperation period, I went to Devizes to help Max Maxwell on a Search and Rescue (SAR) Tracking course on behalf of Shadowhawk.

I was highly impressed with the organisation known as UKLSI, the UK Lowland Search and Rescue Institute,which are teams of volunteers called out to carry out search and rescue missions.

The well-organised event, which included navigation and first aid courses, also featured the tracking course. It was very interesting to see how tracking integrated with search and rescue and I was very impressed at the motivation of the delegates and the way they took to tracking. The principles were not too far removed from wildlife tracking so it wasn’t too difficult to adjust from this to man-tracking from an instructional perspective.

After the course finished on Sunday, I made my way to Gatwick, which in effect, closed that night because of the volcanic ash cloud. It was touch and go whether our flight would go ahead the next day. We were the first flight out and the decision to fly was delayed for an hour. Our airline had the foresight to load us on board in anticipation of a favourable decision and as soon as it was made, we were off on a strange routing to circumnavigate the ash cloud. Is this the cloud in the picture? Not sure if there ever was one. The pilot was dubious as well.

For the next 8 days, I ate, drank, slept, and swam the clear, clear waters of Ibiza, one of the beautiful Pityusan (meaning Pine-covered) Islands. I was surprised at just how tired I was, but despite falling asleep at the drop of my Rogue hat, I still had time for a few outings; climbing the high-sided hill over looking the wonderful bay and discovering the myriad of wildlife under the water by snorkelling. Of course a few fishing outings were in order- unsuccessful of course.

I also made friends with the local wall lizards and discovered that getting close to them took a special technique that involved bribery with cucumber and tomatoes.

I’ll talk about a couple of particular excursions and events in the next couple of posts.

Until then – thanks for the visit.

Pablo.

SAR and R

Before I started my Rest and Recuperation period, I went to Devizes to help Max Maxwell on a Search and Rescue (SAR) Tracking course on behalf of Shadowhawk.

I was highly impressed with the organisation known as UKLSI, the UK Lowland Search and Rescue Institute,which are teams of volunteers called out to carry out search and rescue missions.

The well-organised event, which included navigation and first aid courses, also featured the tracking course. It was very interesting to see how tracking integrated with search and rescue and I was very impressed at the motivation of the delegates and the way they took to tracking. The principles were not too far removed from wildlife tracking so it wasn’t too difficult to adjust from this to man-tracking from an instructional perspective.

After the course finished on Sunday, I made my way to Gatwick, which in effect, closed that night because of the volcanic ash cloud. It was touch and go whether our flight would go ahead the next day. We were the first flight out and the decision to fly was delayed for an hour. Our airline had the foresight to load us on board in anticipation of a favourable decision and as soon as it was made, we were off on a strange routing to circumnavigate the ash cloud. Is this the cloud in the picture? Not sure if there ever was one. The pilot was dubious as well.

For the next 8 days, I ate, drank, slept, and swam the clear, clear waters of Ibiza, one of the beautiful Pityusan (meaning Pine-covered) Islands. I was surprised at just how tired I was, but despite falling asleep at the drop of my Rogue hat, I still had time for a few outings; climbing the high-sided hill over looking the wonderful bay and discovering the myriad of wildlife under the water by snorkelling. Of course a few fishing outings were in order- unsuccessful of course.

I also made friends with the local wall lizards and discovered that getting close to them took a special technique that involved bribery with cucumber and tomatoes.

I’ll talk about a couple of particular excursions and events in the next couple of posts.

Until then – thanks for the visit.

Pablo.

Busy Times Ahead

I’m off to Wiltshire this weekend helping out Max Maxwell of Shadowhawk on a tracking course. This one’s a man-tracking course for the UK Lowland Search institute.

We finish the course on Sunday and I drive to Gatwick to meet Mrs P and we’re off to the Mediterranean for a week’s break.

Last time I was there, I did some underwater tracking and came face to face with an octopus (read post). This time I’m going armed to do some serious fishing and a bit of snorkelling.

The pictures are of our local Lapwings. There are about 6 pairs on the fields around the area. Unfortunately, I found 3 dead chicks but there are others about.

They nest on the ground which makes them very vulnerable but camouflage and stillness is quite a good defence. You have to look very hard to spot them.

Obviously, I don’t hang around too long as the parents get very distressed and can abandon the chicks.

I’ve also found some more Oxlip clusters. These are getting past their sell-by date, but they still make a good picture. We are extremely lucky here as these plants are very, very scarce.

I will update this blog when I can but it might be best to keep an eye out for the mini-blog on the left (Twitter) to see what I’m up to.

Until next time.

Pablo.

Busy Times Ahead

I’m off to Wiltshire this weekend helping out Max Maxwell of Shadowhawk on a tracking course. This one’s a man-tracking course for the UK Lowland Search institute.

We finish the course on Sunday and I drive to Gatwick to meet Mrs P and we’re off to the Mediterranean for a week’s break.

Last time I was there, I did some underwater tracking and came face to face with an octopus (read post). This time I’m going armed to do some serious fishing and a bit of snorkelling.

The pictures are of our local Lapwings. There are about 6 pairs on the fields around the area. Unfortunately, I found 3 dead chicks but there are others about.

They nest on the ground which makes them very vulnerable but camouflage and stillness is quite a good defence. You have to look very hard to spot them.

Obviously, I don’t hang around too long as the parents get very distressed and can abandon the chicks.

I’ve also found some more Oxlip clusters. These are getting past their sell-by date, but they still make a good picture. We are extremely lucky here as these plants are very, very scarce.

I will update this blog when I can but it might be best to keep an eye out for the mini-blog on the left (Twitter) to see what I’m up to.

Until next time.

Pablo.

A Challenging Challenge

I’ve set myself a bit of a challenge in the last few weeks. Instead of the normal pictures of spring, I wanted to photograph one species of each category of mammal, bird, amphibian, reptile, wildflower, butterfly in a spring setting, but one of each species that you don’t see too often. I gave myself a deadline of today.

Initially, I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew, but looking back, I’ve actually not done too bad. Unfortunately, the only one I couldn’t ‘collect’ was the reptile. The weather just hasn’t been warm enough for them to sun themselves. It’s still a little too early for dragonflies around this area as well.

I was worried that I would be stuck with the usual picture of a deer for the mammal category until, as luck would have it, we had a visitor to the garden yesterday and I managed to snap this little Bank vole eating some seeds.

 

The piece de resistance came when I photographed what I thought was a slightly different form of cowslip in Park Woods. When I showed it to our wildflower expert from Essex Wildlife Trust, he identified it as an oxlip. This is now a scarce flower and only found in this area of the East of England. The flowers are bigger and paler than the cowslip and haven’t got the predominant red dots inside the flower. I’ve since identified quite a few patches around the locality.

Erratum: The previously posted picture was of a cowslip which is very similar. The picture above is definitely an oxlip.

I was lucky to photograph this Sawfly lifting off from some Lesser stitchwort and together with the ladybirds, I deemed that to satisfy the criteria for the insect category.

The pendulous sedge isn't at all scarce but is a good indicator of ancient woodland.

As for the choice of birds, I opted for this newly hatched wren. The nest has been made inside an unused external electrical box. Don’t worry, the electricity is off.

I’ve combined amphibians and pond life. There’s literally thousands of tadpoles in this large puddle.

I saw this Common frog not too far from the puddle. I think it’s still quite young and was very pale.

Not a great picture of a Speckled wood butterfly.

Bill and I have had great fun on this quest. Most of the time he’s come along and seems to have developed a nose for unusual events.

He spotted this young rook that had fallen out of the rookery.

If the rook remains hidden, he may well stay out of the foxes reach until he’s strong enough to fly.

Thanks for the visit.