You will be forgiven for thinking I have given up on my woods or just got lazy. It’s three months since my last visit. The main reason I haven’t been was due to having cataract surgery. After the operation you are advised to avoid dusty and smoky places and heavy lifting for 4 weeks. Well what am I going to do at the woods that doesn’t involve any of that? After the first eye there was about 6 weeks before the next one, then same applied again. So it was time to pay a visit, bring back a few logs and tackle the bramble which I knew would have run riot and blocked my paths. Not much else in mind but to reconnect and just check everything was OK.

I was right of course, huge long bramble runners that act like trip wires. I used an old fashioned scythe to cut a way through which was hot and tiring but less so than using the big petrol brushcutter. Cutting it disturbed a whole load of various flying insects which seemed to take a delight in my face. I noticed lots of ladybirds and pleased to say not just the invasive Harlequin type but many of our smaller, less spotted varieties like this 7 spotted one – Coccinella septempunctata. Wow who thought that name up?

It’s very dark in the woods now, few birds to be seen as they will be resting up and starting to moult after breeding season. I had a good look around for signs of animal activity and found this hole. I would say it’s caused by a badger digging for food, most likely an underground wasps’ nest. My boot included for scale.

I have found this hole in my fire pit numerous times before and tried blocking it with a stone. Probably caused by a field vole. Of all the places to choose in the woods, why pick somewhere that will have a fire in it.

This is a hazel stool I coppiced in spring. I had intended guarding it from deer with netting but as I haven’t been since April, they have had meals from the new shoots. It won’t kill the tree, just stunt the new growth which I was hoping would make nice straight rods. Hey ho!

I am pleased to say there are numerous ash saplings that have not yet been clobbered by the dieback disease. Still could happen but also I am seeing some that had partly died back a few years ago, sent new shoots which are now still healthy. My feeling isthat some of them are developing a certain amount of immunity. Time will tell!

A lovely patch of wood sorrel (Shamrock in Ireland) one of several near my parking area. This has spread across quite a large area which started when I transplanted a small clump several years ago. It is edible in small quantities and tastes tangy, rather like cooking apples and goes nicely in salads.

Hopefully it won’t be such a long gap before my next visit.