11th March 2026

Today I had an epic day hiking up on of our more remote waterways. I was heading up to place some NatureSpy camera traps and was treated to some lovely wildlife. Two female adders, coiled up in the sunshine were my first adders of the year. Around lunchtime I came across the most magnificent old birch tree. Huge limbs splayed from the base of this mighty beast, a true guardian of the valley as it commanded a fab view. Resting on it’s boughs for lunch I was thrilled to see raven, buzzard, merlin and peregrine all flying by. The merlin and Peregrine even had a little squabble. Alas the adders were not out on my way back so I couldn’t get a photo.

Beautiful Birch