The forecast for yesterday was dry but windy. I had hoped to do a bit more felling but when it’s windy, it’s too dangerous to attempt. Earlier in the week, two neighbours had reported that intruders had been into their woods and stolen their trail cameras and a few other things and thrown things around. So it was with some trepidation when I arrived that they might had been into mine too. The trail camera was in a new position that was quite visible to anyone walking around that area.  I could see there had been intruders, they had tampered with a few things in and around my log/tool shed. Nothing was taken and I don’t leave anything of real value. I headed down to the camera and was relieved to see it was still there. Next thing to check was my shelter. It seems that the thieves are attracted to structures in the hope that there might be something worth stealing and at the same time, get some small minded, sadistic pleasure from trashing other people’s property. Thankfully it was in tact. I suspect they had simply walked down the short car track to my logshed, found nothing worth taking, then moved on rather than exploring the centre of the woods. The shelter is visible from there, but unless you know the pathway to it, it looks difficult to get to through brambles and undergrowth. So no harm done but trespass, theft and vandalism really winds me up. I find it hard to understand why this type of person can be so different to most other decent folks. Some of us are builders – people who are driven to improve the environment, providing support and positive actions for the benefit of ourselves and others around us. Then there are the destroyers who have little or nothing to contribute. Selfish and lacking moral fibre, they spread their poison, causing damage and stress.

Onto more positive subjects. First the Robin I am befriending. Here he/she is.

It’s learning fast. This time I hadn’t even got the food out, when it landed close by, then flew toward me, ready to land. It stopped short, realising I wasn’t holding any food. I set my camera on a tripod aimed at the area I stand when feeding it. It has a wifi facility that connects to my smartphone which shows me what the camera is seeing and allows me to trigger the shutter remotely. Sure enough the little bird landed on my hand and I fired a few shots off with my other hand. I’m pleased to be able to share this image and one day hope to let other visitors have this experience too.

I checked the trailcam but this time was disappointing. Just squirrels and some redwings. No larger animals. I set it back up in a previous spot where I have had the fox, deer and hare. It will be about two weeks before I go again but hopefully there will be some good video.

I continued with the rebuilding of the composting toilet enclosure. Another side and part of the front built. I ran out of suitably long and straight poles so will have to fell some more small sycamore to complete it. It’s looking much more private though.

Last week I took my fixed point photographs and helped a neighbour fell some trees. It occurred to me that it would be a good area to include in my regular portfolio and asked his permission which he granted. So I headed down to take some shots. On the way I met some other neighbours who I haven’t seen for ages. We had a good long chat and it’s this element of joint woodland ownership that I enjoy. Never any danger of boring anyone with woodland talk! This is the photo where my friend has started working on. It should change quite significantly as he progresses and the woodland responds to the extra light. That’s all for now folks.