Tree Climbing is one of those natural things that lots of animals do, but we humans have reduced in modern society in fear of risk of injury through falling out of the tree.

Tree climbing is something I used to do when I was young and was often climbing the apple tree in the back garden. Yes I did fall out, but learnt from that. You dont have to climb far to see a different view of the tree and land around. Its a great way to connect with nature.

The National Trust have some good advice on Tree Climbing https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/how-to-climb-trees as part of there 50 things to do before your 11 3/4.

They also have a good list of where you can Tree Climb on their properties around the country. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/great-places-to-climb-a-tree

Always make sure someone knows where you have gone and what time your due back. Also that you have permission to climb a tree. Enjoy but be careful.

Today I have produced an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt sheet for you to print off and go out with family and friends to play. See how many you can get before everyone else in your group.

Link to file Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Today I have produced a Nature Bingo sheet for you to print off and go out with family and friends to play. See how many you can get before everyone else in your group.

Link to file Nature Bingo

The best connection you can have isn’t the strength of your wi-fi signal, nor the number of social media friends or followers. Its outside in nature.

In todays rush of life and with the lockdown we have often turned to our electronic devices for entertainment that they have become our go to thing. Now that we are abl eto get out once again, leave the electronics at home for once and go for a walk or at least turn it off in your pocket.

Look at the trees and plants, listen to nature, the bird song and running water if near any and reconnect with the great outdoors. You will feel a lot better.

 

Herons. Love them or hate them, they are a skillful preadator for the garden pond and fisheries. I’ve picked the Heron today as we had a visit from one that decided that the garden pond was an all you can eat buffet and had a couple of fish.

Having spent the day shoring up fencing, netting etc. to ensure that the fish are safe there are some things you have to take into account with this bird.

Its a very smart bird and knows what it wants. Your fish. It will try anything to get its meal. To that end did you know:

• Herons live for aournd 14-15 years.
• They spot water gliting in the sun during their flight paths.
• They have an excellent inbuilt Pond GPS and dont need to drop a pin on a Google Map to remember where your pond is.
• They normally fish at the very start and end of day so we may miss them in the garden.
• There are 3 days of each month where the Heron can basically fish all night long. This is on the Full Moon and the day before and after this event.
• Herons can stand as still as a statue until the fish get used to it and come out of their hiding places. The Heron has a trick of regurgitating food to bait fish to come to the surface to feed.
• Herons don’t just eat fish. They will also eat amphibians, small mammals and small birds like ducklings.

Magnificant to watch in action, but would rather it wasn’t from my garden pond.