My Garden Today. Highlights on a rainy day

It's dull, it's raining again and BBC Springwatch is over for another year. I particularly liked the brave Blue Tit mum who took on the Great Tit chicks (it gets confusing this nature lark).  There was more violent scenes in this year's Springwatch than an episode of Peaky Blinders and that's saying something. The last chick standing took an age to haul itself out of the nest box but I hope he or she is off having a wonderful new adventure now.

There has been a flurry of activity in my garden today with another brood of Sparrow fledglings, the first batch was on the 31st May. Amazingly spotted four fledgling Blackbirds scurrying around below the Rhododendron with Mum on hand to dish out the grub. The Robin chick was first to explore the big wide world on the 14th May but I didn't see the first baby Blue Tits until 12th June. So cute, great balls of fluff rather like a new yellow tennis ball.

It's important for them all to find their own food and there are plenty of insects around to eat but Mums and Dads need to eat as much as they can after all their hard work so I have given them a choice of mealworm suet block, peanuts and dried mealworms mixed with pastry. It was comical to watch a baby Blue Tit trying to grapple with a peanut on the feeder, pushing it round and around in circles.

At this time of year there are lots of chicks grubbing around, Robins and Blackbirds for example don't fly straight away but scuttle through the undergrowth so take care when mowing the lawn or strimming (if you have to). The RSPB advise not cutting hedges and trees between March and August as this is the main breeding season for nesting birds. (Article P. Adams 17/6/2016)

 

 "Nice to feel the sun on my back"

RSPB Advice on Hedge Trimming

It is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. It will be an intentional act, for example, if you or your neighbour know there is an active nest in the hedge and still cut the hedge, damaging or destroying the nest in the process.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 

Countryside Hedgerows regulation and Management (The main nesting period: 1st March to 31st August) 

Catch up with BBC Springwatch from RSPB Minsmere 

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All photos copyright Pat Adams North Devon Focus (All rights reserved)

North Devon Focus on Flickr

About RSPB Reserves located in North Devon  
Need help buying the right bird food? Use the RSPB 'Which bird food?' charts to help you decide

WGCCxxx

Petroc student organised Blues Brother Event raises thousands for Children's Holiday Foundation North Devon

Jackie Johns who is studying for her Foundation Degree in Events Management at Petroc raised £3265 for popular local charity Children's Holiday Foundation North Devon.

On Friday 22nd of April The Fugitive Blues Brothers appeared at The Pier House, Westward Ho! for a tribute evening packed with fun, laughter and dancing. As the sun was setting and the drinks were flowing there was a live auction with fabulous prizes donated by local North Devon business. Andrew Levick from Philip Smith & Dunn, the auctioneer for the evening was flamboyant and enthusiastic in conducting the auction making it light hearted and fun.

Jackie Johns has been working on this event to fulfil her Event Planning and Implementation second year module for her Event Management degree. Module leader for 'Event Planning and Implementation' Clare Chapple said
"It has been impressive to see the work Jackie put into the build-up of event, it is evident she had learnt so much from her studies here at Petroc. Her engagement with local businesses which resulted in an impressive variety of auction items. Jackie is going to make a fantastic Event Manager."

She enlisted the help of first year Event Management students Katie Kersey, Millie Wells and Katherine Harvey who assisted with the auction, raffle, décor and hospitality. Music between sets provided by Dean Kersey from Phatdog Discos. "Jackie's event was an extraordinarily well organised and attended evening. It was a thoroughly enjoyable night which raised a great deal for a good cause." Nicola Davies - Petroc.

Coincidentally on same night the Blues Brothers appeared, eight local children from North Devon landed in America for 2016's 'Holiday of a Lifetime', organised and funded by Children's Holiday Foundation North Devon. Jackie said
"It was an honour to be raising funds for the next trip and exciting that we managed to raise so much money on the night. Rob Braddick has been extremely supportive in letting me use The Pier House for this event, the staff were fabulous. I would love to support this charity again in the future."

Entertainment from The Fugitive Blues Brother was the perfect combination of live music from The Blues Brothers song books and audience participation and comedy. Songs included Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, Gimme Some Lovin', Soul Man and Jailhouse Rock. With audience wanting more, and unscheduled encore was agreed with a whip-round using the artist's iconic trilby hat!
"We were honoured to have been invited to be a part of a fundraiser for such a lovely cause. We have done events in the past and they were nowhere near as fun as this night. We would like to congratulate Jackie on running such a brilliant night." Thomas Mitchelles (Elwood Blues)

Jackie Johns and Clare Chapple met with Dr Buckland, founder of Children's Holiday Foundation at the end of May for a cheque presentation totalling £3265 Dr Robin Buckland said
"I would like to congratulate Jacqueline Johns on her amazing fundraising achievement on behalf of Petroc. The money will be used on the next holiday to Florida for eight more North Devon children in April 2017. This was one of the biggest cheques we have ever received." 

Cheque Presentation: Jackie Johns, Dr Buckland, founder of Children's Holiday Foundation and Clare Chapple.Photo copyright MK Collins Photography (All Rights Reserved)

 

Jackie Johns with Katie Kersey, Millie Wells and Katherine Harvey - Photo copyright MK Collins Photography (All Rights Reserved)

The  event featuring The Fugitive Blues Brothers was held at The Pier House, Westward Ho! 

Music between sets provided by Dean Kersey from Phatdog Discos -
Photos copyright MK Collins Photography (All Rights Reserved)

North Devon Wildlife & Environment Film Making Competition Open to All

North Devon Moving Image CIC (NDMI) wants your Wild Shorts! The local community film making organisation is calling for submissions of short films - between 2 and 4 minutes - about the wildlife and environment within the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The North Devon Coast AONB is designated to protect and conserve our beautiful and diverse coastal landscapes between the Hartland Peninsula and the edge of Exmoor. Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of NDMI, says "We want local people and visitors to capture the special nature of the area on video."

"We are hoping to see films about plants and animals, habitats, landscapes, conservation and just getting out and enjoying the beautiful coast and countryside. The competition is open to all ages - families, schools, young film makers and adults - with exciting prizes for the winning film makers in each category."

The Wild Shorts film making competition is open for entries until Wednesday 30 November 2016 and the competition terms and conditions and details on how to enter are on the NDMI website at www.northdevonmovingimage.org.uk.

To add a helping hand NDMI will be running a limited number of film making workshops for schools, families and community groups. The first event will be for families and will take place at the Braunton Countryside Centre on Sunday 31 July 2016. Additionally there will be some informal 'cafe style' events where people can drop in and get advice on film making techniques and equipment and details of these will be released soon.

Amanda adds "NDMI is really lucky to have some great local sponsors for Wild Shorts and so far we have some fabulous prize donations from GoldCoast Oceanfest, Down End Croyde car park, National Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust membership and Combe Martin Dinosaur & Wildlife Park. The competition has also attracted funding from the North Devon Coast AONB Sustainable Development fund with an additional contribution from Fullabrook CIC."

Caroline Leaver, Member of the Partnership that oversee the AONB commented "The coast of Northern Devon really is Outstandingly beautiful. It is contains some amazing scenery, wildlife and a range of world class beaches and coastal environments. The North Devon AONB Board is thrilled to be able to support the Wild Shorts competition, which will showcase some of what makes this area so special. We'd love to see entries from film makers of all ages, showing wildlife, habitats and what people enjoy about our coastline. North Devon Moving Image will be running training courses locally too, so its a great chance to learn new skills."