A Cotswold Year - Charting the seasons in the South Cotswolds


Friday 30 September 2011

Severn Bore

High spring tides at this time of year result in the Severn Bore being larger. This tidal phenomenon is caused by incoming tides being increased in force by the narrowing of the estuary and then held back by sandbanks so that a wave sweeps right up the river.
It is a amazing to look out over a calm slow flowing river which suddenly becomes a torrent in the opposite direction sweeping upstream.

Wednesday 28 September 2011

Red Kite

Red Kites are not often seen in our area despite being common on the Chilterns but we spotted this one today near Coates. These birds were once hunted almost to extinction but have been reintroduced and are now doing well and are a welcome sight in our skies.Let's hope they start to nest locally.

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Westonbirt Arboretum

Taking advantage of a beautiful warm afternoon yesterday we had a lovely walk around the Arboretum at Westonbirt. The Acers are now in fine form, autumn is upon us and we suggest that if you too wish to catch the colours at their best & enjoy the display then do not leave it too long. The sunshine enhanced our visit, we hope that you will be lucky too.
We peeped inside the Oak Hall which we understand will be the venue for this year's BBC Autumn Watch starting in October.





Planted Fields

The landscape is rapidly changing to autumn browns with fields ploughed and planted and leaves turning golden brown. The poplars in this view looking particularly impressive.

Monday 26 September 2011

Holly


Holly berries are ripe and making us think of Christmas just under 3 months away when no doubt we will be looking for holly to decorate the house.

Wednesday 21 September 2011

Stormy Skies


Showers interspersed with sunshine give some spectacular skyscapes over the Severn Vale

Monday 19 September 2011

Haws

Autumn is here and although many leaves are still green the hawthorn is heavy with berries which some say is a sign of a harsh winter ahead.

Saturday 17 September 2011

Pigeon update

The pigeon nest in our hedge was destroyed last week by the neighbouring farmer's flail hedge cutter but at least one chick survived and was being fed by its parent today.

Thursday 15 September 2011

Rose Bay Willow Herb

Autumn is now well and truly here and the fluffy seeds of the Rose bay willow herb are ready to be blown away by the autumn gales.
The trees are looking more colourful every day

Friday 9 September 2011

Maize

Maize crops are now nearly ready for harvest and form an almost impenetrable barrier across fields sometimes blocking footpaths.
Maize does not usually fully ripen in UK and is cut for silage to feed animals or sometimes for biogas.

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Pear picking

With high winds forecast we decided it was time to harvest the pears from this tree. We think they are conference pears and the crop is heavy. At the moment they are very hard so we have laid them out in boxes and hopefully they will gradually soften ready for eating. They are usually delicious.

Saturday 3 September 2011

Pigeon update

The young pigeons have grown somewhat in the last week and changed colour from yellow to grey.


History in Walls

Sometimes bits of old farming equipment can be found in stone walls and in rebuilding this wall an old wagon brake has been saved.