It was a lovely morning yesterday and I was determined sort out my birds’ nest boxes. I made one for Little Owl’s after hearing one had been seen nearby. Normally they prefer field edges rather than woodlands but as they are one of my favourite owls, I thought I’d like to put a box up and see if I can entice them into my woods. They like to have a tunnel inside the hole, leading into the box, so it is quite an intricate design inside. I placed it fairly high up on an open ride-side spot. Next job was to go around all the small boxes (nine in all) that I put up last winter and see how many had been used and clear out the old material ready for spring. I was pleased to find that five out of the nine had been used. I moved one of the unused ones to another location as it was rather near to the feeding area and might be too “busy”. Also I erected a new one I had made out of a sycamore log which looks more natural. It was my first attempt and I’ll make some more when I get time.

It was the busiest day ever for visitors. I called to see A. and J. (just initials for anonymity) nearby and on the way back met S. and J. Later on A. & H. called by and as they were leaving P. and family were having a walk (not met them before) then the new neighbours who have taken the plot next to mine arrived with their family. They were doing some sawing and L. & J. came round to see what the noise was. It is another aspect of owning these woods that I very much enjoy. Nice to swap notes and see what others are doing with theirs.

In between visits I managed to cut down four more small trees in the area I’ve been clearing. I got two of them wrong and trapped my chainsaw twice but luckily managed to wriggle it out. It happens when you make your felling cut and you’ve worked out the direction it should fall incorrectly. I used my new log lifter tool which rolls and lifts the trunks slightly off the ground so that you can cut into logs without hitting the ground with the chainsaw. It works great and saves a lot of back ache. My log pile is growing each week and the area looking progressively more open and light ready for some new planting soon.