23rd April 2003

Valerie

I have seen my first real live badger - at 4  in the afternoon! It was very small and it came hurrying towards us across the field.

We expected it to see us and stop  but it kept coming until it was only a few feet away. It then  went under the sheep netting into the wood, through the bluebells and under a holly bush.

It was making a little sound - something between a cough and a squeak. Later we investigated the holly bush and found a large hole we didn`t know was there.

We have a green woodpecker nesting within sight of the kitchen window. He has spent days chipping out the most perfect round hole.

We also have a robin sitting on eggs in the shed inside a coil of barbed wire.

Our usual pair of red legged partridges are also wandering around. They always nest somewhere close by. We only ever see them at this time of year.

Regarding the magpies - years ago they used to hang bullfinches in cages in the apple orchards to trap other bullfinches as they eat the fruit buds.  I have not seen a bullfinch for many years and wonder if they are rare now.

Isn`t Findon a lovely place to live!

Best wishes.
Pam. (North End Scout)

Pam Stepney, North End, Findon, West Sussex.