December 28th, 1998

One of the more interesting sights to be seen in the grounds at the moment is of huge flocks of wood pigeons flying over early in the morning, just after dawn. These come from the direction of Nostell or Wintersett, where they roost in the woods. They can be seen returning in late afternoon. A moderately sized roost of about fifty pigeons can sometimes be found in trees at the bottom of the cricket field. I often do not become aware of these until they see me approaching and take to the air, making a terrific clattering sound with their wings.

This is also the time of year for watching large numbers of gulls heading for their roosting sites just before sunset. Hundreds of these, often in 'V' formation, can be seen flying towards the large lakes at Wintersett, where hundreds or thousands of them spend the night on the water.

Two yew trees have been chopped down in Great Garden during the first part of the Christmas holidays. One of these trees had a trunk which was straighter and more solid than those seen on many other yews. Both trees grew below the orchard, on the north side of the two cottages at the bottom of the garden.

Also, a large sycamore was taken down near the pet hut. A quick count of the growth rings revealed that this tree was about ninety years old. Many of the growth rings were widely spaced, indicating rapid growth. The tree was removed because it has been attacked by the giant polypore fungus.