Graham

No:001_smile:

Swallows are just starting to build in numbers now here. Swifts will arrive on the high warm winds soon. Heard a cuckoo this morning along with plenty of chiffchaffs, willow warbler and a grasshopper warbler.

Toyota 40 series. Landcruiser based.

Windburn and a bit of dust. Is it the Dale Winton look:001_smile:

Dust drifting like snow today. Made me think of this;

Abies concolour?

Hopefully something can be achieved from this to highlight Britain's veteran trees.

Walnut smells of horses.

Or cyanide

I spent a childhood mooching and bird's nesting and became very proficient in finding nests and knowing where to look. I know it was wrong but we were just simple country lads:001_smile: It taught me the likely places where goldfinches, chaffinches etc etc nest so I'm always on the lookout for nests. Observation is the key. Spend some time before the job looking to see what's about. Listen to what's about. Give the tree or hedge a tap and see if anything is disturbed. If anything flies out then sit back because they'll soon return if they're sitting. On a wet day they'll be reluctant to fly and will return quicker if they do fly. If they're feeding young then you'll see them flying in on a regular basis. If you're climbing get your mate to look for birds leaving as you climb. I try my best but was devastated a couple of years ago when I missed a GS woodpecker's nest and destroyed it doing a fracture prune on a dead tree. I won't do any conifers from the end of March until Sept nowadays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPgm69pMRUU

Had a walk through the woods today and full of the sound of chiffchaffs and willow warblers. Roll on May and June...the finest months of the year:001_smile:

We have a few around. April 13th is the average date for arrival here so they're about on time. Summer is never truly on its way until the swifts arrive on the high warm southerlies in May and the end is signalled when they leave in August. One day they'll be high and screeching and the next day they're gone leaving the youngsters behind. Always a sad day in my book when they leave.

My newest little guitar has the usual spruce top but the back and sides are paulownia. Very full sound from such a little instrument.

I wouldn't hold your breath:001_smile:

Should you not then be offering the difference back of the market value to the Government:001_smile:

It could equally apply to journalism though:001_smile: Saying that...I went out with a correspondent for Sky news who I know always got her facts right and never twisted anything.

I think it's true that the weather has a part to play. Some warm sunny weather will get people out thinking about their trees and gardens.

Statistics.

Here, here. I think you maybe had to be there to understand the state of the country at the time.

Had to laugh at that:001_smile: I'm not far behind. Could work for B&Q and have your name written on a card.....just in case you forget it:001_smile:

Still there. Part of OCS now. We do a bit for them.

I feel the same. Thirty five years in the industry and it has never been so bad. Trouble is it's been my life!

Wish I knew. We're pretty much the same at the moment. It'll pick up with the weather....hopefully:001_smile:

Here's hoping she does well. I often think about this when my spaniel's crashing into brambles and thorns.