Corona Wildlife Diary: Day Fifty.
With the world shut down around us the uplifting role that wildlife plays in our lives becomes more vital than ever. So, for my own sanity as much as anything, I’m going to keep a daily diary of what I find around my garden. Photograph the wildlife you can see from your window or in your garden and post your pictures on the ‘Sussex Wildlife Trust Nature Table’ page.
Day Fifty
Fifty days!
Fifty days ago we were told to go home and stay home. I grabbed some bits and pieces from work; a laptop, a trail camera, and drove back to my bungalow and I haven't really been out since. I stocked up on black beans, shaved all my hair off and became extremely anxious about leaving the cul-de-sac. It's weird to think that for the last 50 days I have only made it past the end of the cul-de-sac a handful of times.
The new boundary to my world. Out exploring the furthest reaches of my kingdom where the cul-de-sac joins the road.
As my world shut down and shrank I turned to my garden as a focus away from the repetitive, depressing news. I had the idea that keeping an online diary would force me to write something each day - giving me a commitment and putting some structure into a life where hours and days all started to merge into one. I also hoped it would entertain, educate and inspire people and provide a distraction in these challenging times.
At first people worried that I wouldn't find enough to talk about each day, but the garden has been an endless supply of wonderful wildlife. I mean, I'm on day 50 and I haven't had to resort to getting the moth trap out yet. Or the Longworth traps. Or the pond net, beating tray, sweep net and hedgehog tunnel.
So today, I've been playing around with PowerPoint and have put together this seven minute presentation looking back over the wildlife highlights of the past seven weeks.
Thanks for reading the daily diary. Can I write another 50? Will I need to? Let's find out.
Comments
Brilliant.
06 May 2020 09:26:00
Brilliant idea to have a re-visit to all the adventures of the past 50 days, please keep it up, it’s the highlight of our days! Thanks :)
06 May 2020 09:53:00
Blimey 50 blogs and all entertaining! Keep up the excellent work. We love reading them everyday.
06 May 2020 10:52:00
Keep the blogs coming Michael, enjoying them immensely . There’re a tonic to my sanity . Have thrown myself into making my garden more wildlife friendly for my visitors & appreciating what I have outside my back door even more .
06 May 2020 12:35:00
Thanks Michael for sharing your humour and knowledge, you’ve certainly helped all your readers get through the last 50 days. You could consider opening your garden in the future to raise funds….I would pay to see your pond 😂
06 May 2020 12:42:00
Marvellous! That’s Entertainment!
06 May 2020 12:43:00
This actually made me feel quite emotional! So I’m having a Cherry Bakewell to celebrate your 50 brilliant blogs! If there are another 50 please can we give an Oscar to our fav one? I hope your boss gives you a huge pay rise for all your entertainment and knowledge during this really strange time. I have a lot more feathery friends as a result! I would love to join the wildlife trust so I will have to look into this. I defo feel you could have a strong career in nature voiceovers. Thank you again! PS please retake this photo with a tin of sweetcorn. It really reminds me of Ho Ho Ho – Green Giant! Or possibly BFG, but not sure how you’d hold Sophie!
06 May 2020 13:11:00
I can only agree with the comments above and particularly with Ginny-Vic’s mention of cherry bakewell, although in my case it is some roasted Kent Cob-nuts!
06 May 2020 13:45:00
I love your wildlife diary. It makes me happy AND makes me more knowledgeable.
Please can we have an update on the baby foxes?
06 May 2020 16:26:00
Thanks Michael for the entertainment and knowledge you have provided. It’s be a wonderful 50 day journey.
06 May 2020 16:58:00
This is wonderful stuff, thank you,
06 May 2020 21:18:00
Have really enjoyed your diary Michael. Thank you.
07 May 2020 11:32:00