Bog Myrtle & Peat

Shooting and conservation run so closely together that, out of season, I am beginning to feel like quite the naturalist. Every time I visit the farm, I carry a .243 and a Sony SLR digital camera. Encouragingly, I am beginning to find that I can use my camera more and more as the spring develops. Conducting a photo inventory of the farm’s wildlife makes for a fascinating project, and as the years go by, it will help me spot any progress or changes.

Yellowhammers were once extremely common across the British Isles. Since 1988, their numbers have collapsed across their traditional strongholds, making them rarer and rarer each year. They certainly stand out against the greening grass, with dazzling yellow heads and an unfamiliar swagger. I was surprised to find that I had as much fun stalking and photographing this cock bird as I did on my near miss with the roe buck this morning.

There are several different types of “dickie” bird on the Chayne, and the more I learn about them, the more I am starting to really appreciate them. Pipits, warblers and the possibility of a ring ouzel can all now be found on my photographic hit list.