Jasper We paid the same £160 fee for National Trust membership and did most of the Hampshire sites last year which paid for itself. I am a bit on the fence about NT. The sites are usually old houses and think the gardens are excellent in the summer. Good for birdwatching and butterflies. The sites are less appealing in the winter and I do feel that the historical information that is available can be very lightweight. The Roman villa at Chedworth is probably the worst example as there is not much historical context. If you read about the site , there's nothing to put Chedworth in it's true historical context. My favourite old house is Hatchlands because of the Cobb keyboard collection. Absolutely brilliant.
We like Kingston Lacey , but because of the gardens ., the snow drops are beautiful , though I admit they are not exactly there are all year round . Just walking around is so peaceful . Same situation for us with Mottisfont Abbey , walking by the stream looking at the fish REALLY relaxes me . Not set foot in Kingston Lacey house and have no real desire to . Lanhydrock house on the other hand was amazing , a kitchen etc to die for . Also +++++ Chatsworth House isn’t NT *****
I would consider the membership fee worth the money if I only ever went to Stourhead or Avebury once or twice a year. The fact that so many other amazing jewels in our crown are also on offer makes it a no-brainer. Off to Stourhead on Friday to see the early autumn colours. Not at their peak yet, but we can always go again in a couple of weeks, it’s only half an hour away!
We took out NT a couple of years ago and now use it quite a bit. The Car Parking helps I must admit as it turns a nice few hours in the countryside into a cheap nice few hours Studland is a regular for us and surrounding areas and the sunsets at Badbury Rings are stunning. Kingston Lacey too once a year probably now.
I've been meaning to say what a great picture you've taken there TRS. Sparrowhawks always look like they're really angry about something, fantastic looking birds. The wisteria on the front of my house sometimes attracts Goldfinches. Last summer, I was on the drive talking to a friend when a Sparrowhawk dived into the wisteria and pulled a Goldfinch chick from it's nest. It was both a sense of excitement to witness from only a few feet away but also upsetting at how cruel nature is. The fact that it then chose to eat the chick while still in the garden didn't help much either.
Thank you. Know what you mean about the angry face! “Don’t point that ****ing thing at me!” Yeah I saw a similar thing on another occasion. I was in my garden studuo and saw some movement out of the corner of my eye, turned to see a Sparrowhawk take a small bird on the wing and sit on the fence devouring it. Same sense of fascination but for the first couple of ‘bites’ the prey appeared to be still struggling. Nature is fascinating if at times brutal.
l keep forgetting you’re in Bournemouth . We were in Swanage yesterday . Love it . Polished our Brass Plaque on the pier , it’s been there just over 20 years ?
Studio? That sounds like you might be more than the average snapper, are you a pro? Your previous post about Red Kites in Northants. You will know all about the reintroduction programme in the Chilterns I'm sure. It's been so successful that it's helped them to spread around the country and I'm sure that although we only get a few, the Kites we see here are originally from the Chilterns. When I first moved here in the 1980's there were none and gradually they started to appear in ones and twos. As I said above, we don't get loads but do see them regularly now. We've got a little way to go to catch up with Gigrin Farm though.
No, the re-introduction programme was there, I live between Winchester and Southampton. But I think the Kites we now see here are a result of the Chiltern programme where they have spread from. I was trying to find a video clip of a news item about somewhere in the Chilterns where kites were dive bombing in the streets and gardens to snatch food. Being such big birds it was unsettling for some of the locals and they were asking people to stop feeding them. Although I would love to see that here I can understand their concerns, there were loads coming in from all angles. As you say Red Kite paradise.
I have seen Red Kites around Otterbourne which was something that was not possible 10 years ago. I so thr BTO garden birdwatch each week and the change is noticeable. Not seem Marsh Tits for years and 7 used to get them in my garden frequently. Ditto Bull Finches an Greenfinches . Nuthatch are really common and I get wrens most weeks. I think I have had about 40 species of birds in my garden, rhe most unusual are a sparrowhawk and grey wagtail. Usually have 8 to 15 species most weeks but July and August are a bit of a write off.
No, the studio I referred to is a music one but I have been taking photos all my life and was in the photo trade for a few years. I was aware of the reintroduction programme yes and that would explain the amount I see. I used to regularly travel on the A43 toward Kettering and also down into Buckinghamshire and there weren’t many journeys when I didn’t see Red Kites. Always tried to pull over to observe them when I could. Also saw a buzzard while out with the dog earlier this week. Flying below the level of the top of the trees - a fantastic sight!
We picked grapes from the garden two weeks ago. Who knew Stockton on Tees was northern hot spot. Don’t look supermarket quality but taste great.
