March 2017 - night vision reveals a range of after-dark activity!

1st March

2 more Willows planted in triangle at east end of Pit Wood; bullfinch seen in front of Willow bower; woodcock in Pit Wood. 

2nd March

Yellow Rattle, White Campion, Field Poppy, Ox-eye Daisy, Chicory, Honesty seeds and Snowdrops and Campion plug plants into Wildflower Meadow. 

3rd March

More planting on Meadow - Honesty, Betony, Campion, Evening Primrose, St John's Wort. 

6th March

Bird and Flower survey. 

9th March

Bird boxes 29-33 put up in Scrub and Pit Wood. 

11th March

Preparations for bringing ponies down from Top Grazing (fencing off bird-watching Willow arbour, protecting new Willow saplings, preparing for electric fence from SW corner of Meadow to SE corner of Pit Wood); seeds from Grassland Conference (NWT) scattered on Top Grazing. 

21st March

Rushes dug out of pond at (W) base of crag - frog seen. Pond near bird hide site heaving with frog spawn!

20th March

Tim put up a motion sensor camera in the Orchard. 

23rd March

Camera moved to gate into Orchard. 

27th March

Camera reveals roebuck, roe-doe, badger, mouse, grey squirrel visiting at night, and pheasant and cat during the day!

28th March

Chiffchaffs heard and seen on Meadow and in Scrub; 3 deer beyond Meadow; plug plants into Meadow (St John's Wort, Great Mullein, Michaelmas Daisy, Sneezewort, Valerian, Poppy) and Mugworts planted near Beech by bottom gate.

Where did I put the tree?

Oh, there it is!

Playing cat and ...

mouse

February 2017 - marking the arrival of Juno

3rd February

John rode Paul again; John helped with path, sawing log edging/step edging. 

14th February

Bird box (27) put on oak at north west corner of NE Strip for Valentine's Day; flower survey carried out. 

17th February

Last of the Corsican Pines felled in Top Strip. 

19th February

20 Field Scabious and 10 Snake's Head Fritillary planted on Meadow to mark birth of Clare's first grandchild Juno, born 18th February!

20th - 27th February

Arena fenced off. Grey squirrel seen on wall at west end of Top Grazing. 

23rd February

Bundles of Willow cuttings collected from Wenda and Matthew at Codlaw. 

24th February

Willows planted in triangle at east end of Pit Wood, near ponds at west end of Wetland, south of bottom driveway and in bower for bird-watching. 

27th February

We were told that 7 woodcock had been seen flying out of Pit Wood on shoot day at the end of January.

Kissing's in fashion

January 2017 - Bluebells in memory of Heather Lindsay

6th January

Bird and flower survey. 

9th January

c60 Larches planted with Mel and Neil's help; mostly in the verge and top strip.

14th January

A pair of treecreepers on the Oak with the barn owl box. Yesterday and today we began making 12 more bird boxes with offcuts from the shed's construction. 

16th January

Woodpecker heard drumming in NE strip. 

23rd January

Remaining (c40) Larches planted in Pit Wood (S edge and western border) and 5 Horse Chestnuts (grown at home from conkers) in SW corner of Pit Wood. Path in Top Strip extended approx 2 metres eastwards over rock outcrop. 

27th January

3 more Corsican Pines felled in Top Strip; paths extended approx 3 more metres east. 

28th January

200 Bluebells planted at W end of Top Strip in memory of Heather Lindsay; 3 new open-fronted boxes erected in Top Strip and one moved from Corsican Pine to a Larch in Top Strip. 

29th January

3 more bird boxes put up - Elder at West end of Orchard (wren); Hawthorn near gate on W wall of Pit Wood (flycatcher); Sycamore on N side of glade near path down to spring (flycatcher). 

30th January

John rode Paul on the Top Grazing unaccompanied; Clare made several more metres of path in top strip - steps down.

It was cold!

Mike with a miniature John on his shoulder

Snippets makes sure Paul comes to no harm

December 2016 - Holly, Hazel, Horse Chestnut

1st December

Sox and Snippets moved to Top Grazing to keep Paul company. 

20th December

Sox left us for his second gelding operation. Apparently a horse with one undescended testicle is called a rid or ridgling. The things we're learning! Snippets to be replaced in the Spring by Noah. 

27th December

56 trees (5 Holly, 50 Hazel, 1 Horse Chestnut) planted in Top Strip. 

First meeting

Putting their heads together

Awaiting understorey

Understorey equipment

Posts = tree positions

Understorey in place. It just needs to grow a bit

November 2016 - a mixed appraisal for new employee Paul

4th November

Mike P and John continued to remove Corsican pines from Top Strip. 

7th November

Paul hauls 6 huge logs from the Top Strip to the log shed - his first proper job!

10th November

John and Mike take down 6 Western Hemlock from the SW corner of the Pit Wood and cut them ready for logging. 

12th November

Mark came to give advice on underplanting. 

13th November

We moved barrowloads of chip onto the quagmire in front of the shed. 

14th and 15th November

And more!

24th November

More trees felled in top strip by John and Mike P. Paul very reluctant to haul logs today!

27th November

Kathryn and Nathan come to plant Juniper on the Crag to mark their marriage.

"Haul Paul!"

"Shan't!"

Henry assisting Kathryn and Nathan

October 2016 - new friends for Paul

1st October

More work on wall repair (2).

2nd October

Wall repair (2) finished!

6th October

More path laid at west end of Top Strip. 

7th and 9th October

Fencing added on top of Crag in readiness for sheep on Top Grazing. 

10th October

Paul pulled his first log! Part of Meadow wall knocked down by local farm traffic - trailer came unhitched and crashed into the wall. Farmer very apologetic and set to repair it tomorrow. 

13th October

Wall repaired. 

17th October

71 sheep from local farmer John arrived to eat theirs hearts out on the Top Grazing.

18th October

Mike P helped John take down and log a Corsican pine in the Top Strip. He loved it and wants to do more!

20th October

Bill, horse logger and woodsman, came to help advise with Paul and logging. 

24th October

Sox and Snippets, Exmoor ponies, arrived to graze the Wildflower Meadow. 

Remember the Plum blossom...

Harnessing Paul's strength

"Go straight ahead..."

Sox and Snippets

September 2016 - progress with Paul

21st September

Fenced added to Meadow to protect hedging from Exmoors.

22nd September

John rode Paul at Codlaw. 

26th September

John rode Paul back to Liddells from Codlaw. 

28th September

Wildflower Meadow fence (for ponies, to stop them nibbling on hedging plants) completed. 

29th September

Wall repair started on one of two areas possibly knocked down by cattle in neighbouring field. 

30th September

Wall repair (1) finished and (2) started; first attempt to fit Paul's harness. 

August 2016 - the adventures of Clare and her flatpack scythe

2nd August

4 Willows planted on wetland and an existing Willow discovered.

5th August

2 huge brash heaps created ready for chipper. 

6th August

Green Gym Day. Mel, Jane E, John and Clare had chipped both piles by noon - 2 hours' very efficient work. Then more chip spread on path with Barry's help and steps started by Mel and Barry while John and John M felled 2 Larches. 

11th August

Nick started scything the Wildflower Meadow. 

12th August

Eggs in hive 1. 

13th August

Eggs and brood in hive 1. Barefoot trimmer came to Paul - both very good!

15th August

Clare assembled her flatpack scythe! Clare scythed while John strimmed and Barry came to help.

16th August

Barry lent us his topper and we finished cutting the whole meadow and started raking rows. 

17th August

All hay raked into rows and tedding. 

18th August

Some green hay spread on top grazing. Steps up path in top strip - section completed. Tedding hay. 

19th August

More green hay spread and tedding. 5 dumpies of hay in store. Capped brood in Hive 1. 

22nd August

Campions grown from seed planted in meadow and 1 x Musk Mallow; hay removed. 

23rd August

More Campions planted; all hay removed; Yellow Rattle seed sown on top area of Meadow. 

25th August

Eggs and capped brood in Hive 2 - both hives viable! More Campion plugs planted. 

28th August

John built cavaletti for Paul. Clare planted Evening Primrose, Meadow Cranesbill and St Johns Wort plugs in Meadow. 

Stylish scything style

Topping is topping!

The agricultural equivalent of IKEA

Paul trying out the newly cut Meadow

John M supervising John H

Mel and Barry making sure the Silver Birch doesn't fall down

Jane tackling Mount Brash with no sherpa

Jane tackling Mount Brash with no sherpa

July 2016 - conkers, newts and queen bee cells

1st July

Tynedale Community Choir included Liddells in their Singing Walk and picnicked on the trailer on the Top Grazing. 

4th July

Becky rode Paul for the first time in the arena at Codlaw. 

6th July

Paul returned to Liddells. 

7th - 10th July

Strimming west end of Top Strip. 

11th July

First Horse Chestnut grown from a conker planted at west end of top strip. 

13th July

Second Horse Chestnut planted as above. Corsican Pine by top wall felled. 

14th July

Common newt found in chip pile. 

14th July - 4th August

Brashing and thinning in Top Strip; west end path re-chipped and extended and weeding 6" either side. 

19th July

No queens but 5 queen cells. 

Becky and Paul getting to know each other

June 2016 - moving day for the bees

3rd June

Green Gym: Mel, Barry and Sally helped: chipper hired - all chip in Top Strip dealt with and pile west of Meadow. More thistles removed from Meadow. 

5th June

Tim saw a Small Heath butterfly on Liddells - a first.

7th June

Bees moved to apiary; Paul second and much improved lunging session; fox seen on Meadow; Paul walked down through Scrub on newly opened up path and back and then escaped back along this path through unclosed gate!

8th June

Grey squirrel on west wall; 2 deer on Top Grazing; Paul long-reined down path through Scrub and back. 

9th June

Clare completed thistle removal on Meadow and environs - 40 bags filled!

8th - 10th June

Much potting on of wildflower seedlings for planting out 2017. 

10th June

Paul has a saddle!

21st June

Paul long-reined to Codlaw for a week's assessment re exercise and training needs. 

22nd June

Keith came to conduct our third bird survey:  family of redstarts in the orchard!

24th June

2 Common Blue butterflies on spoil heaps west of Meadow; meadow pipit seen on Meadow!

May 2016 - Northumberland Wildlife Trust Meadow visit

During May - more maintenance work on path west end of Top Strip - logs used for southern edge. 

2nd May

International Dawn Chorus Day - Clare did a breeding birds listen. 

5th May

Naomi Waite (NWT meadows specialist) walked over Liddells and found Adders-tongue fern in the Meadow. Janet made her first visit to meet Paul with a view to mentoring John. 

7th - 14th May

Janet looked after Paul. 

21st May

Steve Leigh, a barefoot trimmer, came and managed to trim Paul's forefeet. Lots of time spent moving Beech and Rowan logs and brash and ongoing logging and stacking. 

26th May

Clare started removing nettles from under Hawthorns on meadow and then began tackling the Thistles. Evidence of roebuck fraying on many saplings and the Spindle Trees. 

Plum tree in blossom in the Orchard...

and a different fragrance - evidence of a fox

April 2016 - primroses, Paul, paths

5th April

Primroses and Marsh Marigold out in Pit Wood. 

9th April

Disastrous meeting with farrier - Paul reared, took the gate off its hinges and careered into the barbed wire fence. 

22nd April

Bee shed constructed with Mel's help.

During May continued maintenance work on path west end of Top Strip - logs used for southern edge. 

One of the new ponds proves fruitful

Evidence of fruitfulness

Tadpoles

Kissing still in fashion (Thanks to Tim for these three photographs)

Snow on the hills

March 2016 - little drummer bird

1st March

Roadside Beech trees trimmed by Mark. 

2nd - 5th March

Owl box made. 

6th March

Chip from top strip bagged; owl box put up on Oak overlooking wetland; first woodpecker heard drumming in Scrub. 

8th March

Barn owl seen hunting over Wetland, tantalisingly close to owl box!

13th March

Hal and Beth came to help - clearing, splitting and clearing Rowan logs from the quarry and pulling brash out; Beth planted Cinquefoil by the picnic stone on the meadow. Dead woodcock on meadow. Logs stored in Shed No. 3 (Shed No.1 repurposed as tool shed.)

19th March

John bought 50 posts from the Mart Sale to use for path edging (brought to Liddells 20th).

During March Clare worked to remake path east of Top Strip, laying membrane, relaying chip and edging with stones from Liddells. Beginning of construction of shed for apiary. Or, as acute observers will realise, Shed No. 4.

Wednesday 30th March

Pair of pied wagtails on the top grazing. 

Don't they look better

Ready for splitting

But who made the owl box's maker?

Gathered winter fu-u-el

Cinquefoil

February 2016 - welcome Paul!

3rd February

Part of the south boundary wall collapsed. 

7th - 8th February

Dry-stone-walling repair!

9th February

Mark and Bill took down 3 Rowans that had been causing bulges in the south boundary wall. 

10th and 12th February

Long-reining tutorials in Cumbria. 

12th February

Bird hide Willows netted. Barn owl seen hunting over the Wetland and along near Top Strip. 

14th February

Bird box fixed in scrub near (s) of south west corner of Meadow. 

16th February

All bird boxes cleaned and checked, No 4 resited to Orchard; shed section 3 started; logs moved from top strip. (Even referring to 'shed section 3' hints that there will be more to come...)

20th February

3rd shed section completed. 

21st February

Paul the Fell pony arrives!

23rd February

Meadow wet area refenced and additional stile. Seat made on old wall line. Wood cleared for chip from Rowan felled in quarry and logs split. 

Between 16th February and 23rd February owl seen regularly! Pellets found.

Barn owl over Wetland

Barn owl pellets

While we work, life carries on

Shed 3, construction day 1

Shed 3 construction day 4

Our property expansion

Recycling to make a log shelter

January 2016 - wire on the treads

2nd January

We filled 37 bags with chipped brash...

3rd January

... another 11 bags filled, then all 48 stacked over the fence in the Top Strip and the unchipped brash from the same area moved too. 

4th January

John made a start on the shelter for Paul. (Please note we have already discovered we need more sheds.) Clare continued in her attempts to remove humps/molehills from the Meadow and excavate surplus stone from near the road wall. 

11th January

More work on pony shelter - frame now stable (pun intended) Clare would like it noted that while the photographs she took show John at work, she fixed every single board to the frame. Just saying.

12th - 28th January

Work continued on shelter to completion. Stumps cut in Top Strip. Stiles completed on new fencing at top of Crag; all stiles now have wire on the treads.

27th January

Chris visited with a drone camera and took footage of Liddells. Clare had a go at flying it - probably the most technologically advanced thing she has ever done.

29th - 30th January

Wildflower seeds collected locally last year, sown in pots/trays at home. 

Bags of bags

Kissing in fashion

From this...

to this...

to this...

to this

December 2015 - ending the year preparing for a new resident

2nd December

John and Clare visit Paul the pony at Roadhead. 

3rd December

Hedge started - Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Guelder Rose, Dog Rose, Field Maple, Crab Apple and Hazel. 

9th - 11th December

Clare worked on hedge in adverse weather! Mole hills decapitated!

10th December

Torrential rain, spring burst its capping, 2 Ashes blown down in Pit Wood.

14th December

Hedge completed, Crab Apple planted in Orchard hedge line; Christmas tree cut for Tynedale Community Choir party. 

15th December

Christmas trees cut for John and Clare and for Hal and Beth. 

16th December

Paul vetted at Roadhead; he passed!

21st December

2 metres of hedging planted to screen bee hives from the west. 

27th December

Damson and Wild Cherry moved from Meadow to Orchard. Post tidying/topping on lower entrance. 

30th December

We dug a pond on the site of the old water trough on the wetland. 

31st December

Luke came to visit Liddells having not seen the land since before we bought it. Pond so full, the stepping stones are covered! John made 2 stiles along the new fence. Clare worked on taking humps and molehills off the Meadow. 

Hedging and mud - Bramble in her element

More mud

Stylish stile

IMG_0273.jpg

Paul's favourite trick is putting his hay net on his head. Clare also thinks he is punning. He clearly has a sense of humour.

November 2015 - trees for bees from Trees Please

3rd November

Magnificent Meadows - Northumberland Wildlife Trust talk with Naomi Thwaite. 

11th November

Hedging to shelter bees ordered from Trees Please; woodcock sighted. 

During November John completed work on Top Grazing fence - made a gate into Scrub; strimmed, tidied and sawed Ash in Orchard; strimmed for Meadow edge. 

27th November

Hedge plants arrived; trench dug. 

October 2015 - Woolly new arrivals

1st October

John visited Barry at Quarry House and so began the idea of borrowing his sheep to graze the Wildflower Meadow. 

During October, Clare finished brashing all the Hawthorns on the Meadow; replanted the bird-watching arbour with sprouting Willows; Spindle Trees moved out of meadow to new site near spoil heaps west of Meadow; all brash to bonfire site. 

11th October

Mike T came to help collect Barry's sheep - 8 Rylands and 6 Shetlands - now grazing the Meadow. 

12th October

John began preparations for fencing the Top Grazing - strainers/stripping. 

24th October

Robbie came to help with the fencing - bottom wire, barbed wire and post in; help from Derek and loan of tractor and knocker from Barry; John hired a digger and began levelling site for shepherd's hut. 

September 2015 - (b)log shed

2nd September

A fox strolled along the top of the Crag east to west. 

7th - 14th September

Shed painted, still awaits guttering. First logs cut and stacked inside. Top path restrimmed and in Orchard. Rosemary's Oak, Penny's Plum, Mathilda's Bird Cherry and our Damson all weeded!

One of the bird boxes in the Pit Wood had been filled with leaves. We suspect by a grey squirrel.

21st September

Logs from Top Strip cut and stacked in shed; tools now stored there. Note the log shed is already changing its purpose. Read on for developments in the shed department.