Blog

Blanket Of Fog

Posted: 20th Nov 2012

It really feels like a winter's day with the whole valley smothered in a thick blanket of fog and the temp dropping to 7oc for the last few days. The fish are still quite active and the 7 acre lake is now full to the brim again but the water is coloured due to the fish moving around. The stockponds are full and flowing out after their draindown and sterilisation and it's good to see water flowing here, there and everywhere for a change.

The cranes are passing overhead on a daily basis now and to hear their hauting cackle over the valley is always the annual cycle and signal for the onset of winter. Kingfishers working the margins still each day before the lakes freeze and signs of the Wild Boar at the far end of the big lake are present, no doubt passing through at night and trying to survive another winter of being hunted which is the national tradition throughout France.

I did go looking for the Shorteared Owls again but to no avail, but instead found what I thought was a lone Longeared Owl down the Pine tree side of the big lake!!! He was sat in a tree staring right at me no more than 30 yards away but my compact camera was not up to the job. I did get a picture of him which is posted with this blog, but it's not the best. I set off walking again and no more than 10 steps forward I looked to my left and there they all sat like cardboard cut-outs in a sallow bush tucked out of the wind. I counted at least 10 Longeareds then the first one swooped out of the tree and down the path followed by another 11, counting 12 in total!!!!! What a site that was and at this time of the year it can be quite common to find them roosting together (collectively called a "Parliament of Owls") steady now nobody likes a smart arse!! 

I have been busy burning all the old branches from around the lake margins and putting a little sweetcorn & groundbait into the back stream hopefully to get a few wildies in the swim for next week? we shall see. There are also some cracking Perch to be had as well, so I will be lowering a juicy Lobworm under the bushes to see what lurks beneath.

I think it's time for another log on the fire and we will be back soon with hopefully a few fish pictures?????

Over & Out

Team Sanctuary