Our gravel drive has had a makeover and looks very smart. The muddy puddles have gone.
A new car parking bay has been created for campers.
This leads to the front paddock where a large wildlife scrape is planned. The top 5-10 cm of grass and soil will be removed and used for a raised bank. The scrape will allow wildflowers to grow.
New Year's Eve 2021 and it's very mild today. I walked with Whippet around the paddocks watching birds feeding. The recent wet weather has given them plenty of worms. There was a woodpecker on a Silver Birch dead branch too.
Now all the leaves have fallen, the fields beyond can be seen. Amongst the outlines of branches, a squirrel's nest is on view. I don't think it is a crow's nest.
I like the ivy growth on some trees...it provides shelter and food for wildlife. Although the sky looks stormy it's forecasted a dry day and staying mild.
In 1970's the Dutch Elm disease killed our lovely trees. One by one they succumbed to the beetle's damage. However, some regeneration from the rootstock is happening and suckered growth. One in particular is quite tall now. I hope the beetle doesn't find it.
Here is the tall Elm tree....to the left is the large Oak.