#30DaysWild Day Day 16-18

Well, so what have I been up to? Apart from lots and lots of hours at work, I have been trying to fit in some small acts of Wildness every day, although some are very small!

On Day 16 I have a total fangirl moment as Chris Packham tweeted me back about the severe lack of graphs on this seasons Springwatch! (anyone else agree with me here - well he did at least!)

Day 17 I took a walk along the wild rising river in Bewdley, after about 6 days of almost constant heavy rain, the river is a murky brown and flowing swiftly, but it is still a joy to watch the bird hunting.

And today - I have made a crack at writing a wild poem! (now, please don't laugh, I probably haven't written a decent poem in about 5 years or so!) but here goes ...

Leaves softly waving in the wind,
Gusts small, but so big from down here,
But life this tiny learn to be thick skinned,
So that we grow, buds to peek and peer.

The sun, so gentle and warming,
I stretch, I unfurl, I grow,
Photosynthesising,
Turning me head to the sky, petals so yellow.

I bask and I breathe, filling my cells with life,
A radiance so full, yes so minute,
I am one of many, and we are the wildlife,
A presence so strong you cannot dilute.


Poet of the year material right? Thought so hahaha!

Oh- and I've also been watching Emma Caton Vlogs over at (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Ry14Y1FAnTlWmPLLrv2hQ) and I have been loving them! So if you haven't already, you should really go check out her videos and give her some love!

That's all for now folks!
Tayla

#30Days Wild Day 15!

I cannot believe we are now halfway through the #30DaysWild Challenge already!! So many more exciting things to do and see!

An absolutely sodden day tonight! It just about managed to dry up and brighten in time for me to head home for work - and just as I was packing away the outdoor cafe furniture, I spotted this little guy drying off on the windowsill! I calmy had to run into the shop to grab my phone to get a photo!

Now for anyone who doesn't know, this little guy is a Buff Tip Moth! He stands out a lot on our beautiful teal paintwork, but he is designed to camouflage as a Silver Birch twig. I'd known about these moths, but this is the first I have seen with my very own eyes, and of course I was embarrassingly excited about it. (Making sure to message my best friend about it all as quick as I could!)

So, I've made it a job that any species I spot I'm going to learn me some facts!

1. Their Italian name is Phalera bucephala (Okay so I'm probably not going to remember that)
2. They are a common species, often found in farmland, grassland, towns and gardens and woodland
3. You are likely to see them in June and July (mostly at evening or night!) 

I also went for a quick walk this evening after dinner, I didn't manage to escape the rain this time! But I did spot a wagtail of some sorts! It was either a yellow or a grey wagtail, oh I cannot wait to buy myself a camera that will do these beautiful species some justice! (only another £492.78 to go!) 

What wild things have you been up to? 

Tayla 

x

#30DaysWild Day 9 & 10!

If I didn't blog about what I was doing every day I would have totally forgotten everything I have done so far, this heat is frazzling my brain!!

So on day 9 I somehow found myself sat outside the pub with a large glass of wine, no idea how I got there honest! As I sat, chattering away, I saw something gliding down the river from the corner of my eye. A female bird and about 6 happy little chicks! Right, it all happened so quickly, or maybe it was the wine.. but what if this is the Mrs to my Mr Goosander!?

Fair to say, I got really excited, so I will now be on the hunt to see if I can spot them again (And maybe even scope out where they are nesting!)

And for today, day 10 (Can you believe we are already a 1/3 of the way through!?) I left my house extra early to take a walk through to the park to a local art gallery near me!

There was beautiful pieces of work, but I was mostly looking at the nature inspired pieces!

Beautiful pink water Lily peeping out! 

My Favourite piece, 'Hartlebury Common' by John Instance 

#30DaysWild Day 8!

I seem to be doing a lot of things for the challenge that aren't on the list of ideas I had, but yaknow, we're just gonna roll with it!

But anyway, today I started the Couch to 5K challenge! And instead of hitting the pavements, I decided to go along the river path! Of course, I decided to go out just after we had some heavy rain, good job I've always been a fan of mud! So you'll all be glad to know I survived my first run in probably forever, but it did make me think, are there benefits to exercising outdoors? Of course there are!


And here they are:

1. Technically you burn more calories, factors such as wind resistance, slopes and uneven ground all make small differences that make you work just that little bit harder. 
2. Being outdoors improves your mood, it has been proven by many studies that spending time outdoors reduces stress levels, and the fresh air and increased oxygen releases Serotonin! (We all love that feel good brain chemical!) 
3. It can help to improve your self esteem - Just think about it, no mirrors, anywhere at all. And I can promise you the wildlife don't care how similar your running looks to a beached walrus! (Not a care in the world!)
4. Benefits of sunshine! We are all well aware of the risks that come to exposure to the sun, but we also need to remember that sunlight is important to our health too! Sunlight on the skin creates the Vitamin D3, which is vital to bone health, metabolic function and helps you sleep better at night. 
5. Its cheaper - I really don't think I need to explain this any more that that!

Of course, I spotted a bit of wildlife whilst I was trying not to die! A few slimey snails making the most of the moisture from the rain, some startled bunnies and the odd dragonfly! 

After all of that information to digest, I think you've deserved a selfie! 

Bewdley's Bursting Banks

Though slightly overdue as the water levels are slowly decreasing now, Bewdley's flood defence barriers have been up again! Last week locals were issued weather warnings, following expected heavy weather in the Welsh hills. (Note: the source of the River Severn is situated  in Cambrian Mountains)

Water levels were noted to start rising on Tuesday 1st December, and the barriers were swiftly constructed the following day. The entirety of the defence system was not put up, only the barriers alongside Severnside North, where the pavement sits lower. Large debris such as logs and a few whole trees have been seen to be floating down with the fast current.

With water levels now dropping again, and pavements beginning to emerge from the murky depths of the Severn, it looks like another successful intervention from the Environment Agency. Quick thinking and very effective communication to the people bewdley helped to save many homes and businesses, with very little disturbance.

Here's to next years events! (Don't get me wrong, a flooding like this has been catastrophic to homes in Bewdley, but with new defences in place, we all feel much safer! And anyways, businesses in Bewdley that rely on tourists, its events like this catch people's attention!)

The view down Severnside South, the blue on the other side are temporary barriers to protect homes and roads.

Devil's Spittleful (Revisited) and Burlish Top

Gosh, it's been two weeks since I last posted, I hadn't realised how quickly time was passing! So here is my apology to those few that have been checking this space most days. I am sorry but also thank-you! (I like to pretend I'm not actually just talking to myself over here, ha!)

I haven't really been out and about much recently, work has been super busy and the recent autumnal change in the weather has had me snuggled under the duvet.  But, I suppose I should just put my big girls pants on and get outside, seeing as that's where all the adventures happen.

Right, so where have I been in the last 17 days...

Well, firstly I have revisited Devil's Spittleful Nature Reserve (with much better weather this time!) and then followed on to Burlish Top before going home.

As a result of more favourable weather I was able to truly appreciate the landscape and beauty of the heathland habitat. I also managed to find a few caches that I was unable to on the last trip (hoorah!)

Devil's Spittleful Nature Reserve 

View from the top of Devil's Spittleful Rock 

 I then went onto Burlish Top Nature Reserve, which consists of lowland heath, oak and birch woodland and acidic grassland. There are various easy access trails

 spreading across the reserve. There were around 6 caches within the trails, 2 of which I was unable to find that day.

Lowland Heath habitat of Burlish Top 

Lowland Heath habitat of Burlish Top 

Common Red Clover 

Hoverfly - any idea on plant species? 

Bombus Hortorium amidst a flowering Himalayan Balsam 

Speckled Wood Butterfly

Devil's Spittleful

If I could sum up today's walk in one word it would definitely be: RAIN. I set out at midday and I was soaked through by one o'clock. It was today that I rigorously questioned whether or not I was crazy, or just really stupid. (the answer I settled on was both)

So I set about on finding the 'Devious Devil' series of Caches, starting adjacent to the West Midlands Safari Park. Taking a wooded path behind the Safari Park's fencing was quite exciting, although I couldn't see any baby kangaroos through the chain-link. I found these caches pretty easy to find, which I was very thankful of because the miserable weather was quickly turning my mood sour! For each log that I found and signed, there had been two other names signed on this very same day. Although I didn't come across a single soul whilst I was out.

I came home with 7 Finds, and 3 DNFs, although I didn't log any of these as I know I didn't do a thorough look, so I will be going back soon to have a proper rummage! I also didn't go up to the top of Devil's Spittle Rock, I really just wanted to keep trudging along to get home. But I will be sure to go back very soon. (When it isn't raining hopefully!) But either way, the surrounding nature reserve was a beautiful sight, even in the gloomy settings. I can't wait to go back and take my time there.

Calluna - Common Heather

I have given myself a little research project (don't you just love the word project!) Anyway, I want to educate myself of Heathland habitats before I go back. So I can truly understand and appreciate the habitat when I am there, and this is something I would like to do before I go to any new area. I want to learn, not just observe. I think it would also be pretty cool to share these findings as maybe 'Idiots Guides' mhmm, that'd be pretty cool!

Devils's Spittleful Nature Reserve 

A few things I learnt from today's Geocaching adventure: 

1. I really need to buy a small first aid kit, just in case!
2. I really need to bring a small hand towel, signing logs with wet hands is not ideal!
3. I should buy a pair of weatherproof gloves. 
4. My iPhone doesn't do great in the rain ... (shocker) 

Geocaching Trio

On Sunday (16th August 2015) I met up with two complete strangers.  Being pretty new to Geocaching I'd only really ever gone alone, or gone with friends I had introduced to it. And here I was, approaching a stranger I didn't know, to check if he was in the fact the man I had agreed to meet. Having introduced ourselves, we chatted whilst we waited for the third and final Cacher. One thing became very apparent: Geocachers are inherently incapable of finding each other. Eventually we found the third and final Geocacher.

We followed the riverside footpath from Bewdley to Stourport, then crossed the river and walked back along the other side. And boy, the weather was absolutely gorgeous! Around 15 caches found with ease (perks of walking with experts eh!) with just one DNF :(

It was definately a lovely experience, to be able to share the day with two lovely people, who both loved to do this same thing! And they also kindly answered all my lame newbie questions, so I am now slightly more knowledgeable now. 

I am now planning a short day trip for this Sunday, hopefully to pick up another 15 odd Caches, and I am also planning a two night solo camp over at Arley to pick up quite a few! (Just hoping I can get everything I need before the summer season dissipates!) Has anyone got any camping tips they could pass on? 

The Importance of Binoculars

Pyronia Tithonus - Gatekeeper Butterlfy 

This is becoming a regular thing, myself apologising whole heartedly for not posting for sooooo long. So here I am again, now that life in my new house is all settled, determined to keep this blog going! (Promise!)

Today my lovely friend Sarah  joined me in Bewdley before she jets off to Canada for a whole year!! So we decided on a stroll along the river, having persuaded her to try out some Geocaching! We ended up finding four caches in total, and I think she may be hooked! A good day in my book. We also had a very good day wildlife wise too, although both annoyed we brought no binoculars with us!

A Dopping of Female Goosanders 

We spotted a butterfly on the vegetation alongside the river bank, snapped a picture and carried on. Having come home we were able to identify it as the Gatekeeper Butterfly. We almost settled on identifying it as the Small Heath Butterfly, until we noticed the number of white dots on the wing! (Gatekeepers have two not one!)
Sarah also spied a Kingfisher darting into the shrubbery on the other side of the river, but after waiting silently for some time, we decided to walk on.
I also spotted a dopping of female Goosanders on the river, a bird I had no seen before, so that was exciting, but gutted having no binoculars!
I promise to post again very soon!
If you'd like check out my instagram to see what I'm up to!

The Wilderness Warrior

Home Sweet Home

My absolute sincerest apologies for my disappearance! All I can say is that it all happened very quickly! I fledged the nest! I am now a fully qualified adult! (so they say!) And seeing as the new place currently has no internet it is safe to say that it has been a pretty long week!
I am rather saddened that I haven't been able to keep up with the 30 Days Wild Challenge, but I have been out exploring my new area! I have moved into a lovely 17th Century House along the riverside in the town of Bewdley, Worcestershire.