A NATURALIST'S NOTEBOOK

In the past two or three weeks I have been very fortunate to find the nest of a little owl in the hollow of a yew tree over-looking the banks of Queendown Warren. I have also spent several periods trying to photograph these charming little characters and to study the main food supply which is given to rear the young. The main food source May-bugs, moths and beetles, but rodents such as a long-tailed field mouse and common shrew have also been included on the menu.

During one of my photographic sessions, I looked out of the side of the hide and was rather horrified to see a rabbit struggling across the meadow obviously suffering from myxamatosis, and curiously enough my immediate thoughts were not for the rabbit who was suffering from this horrible disease, but for a section of the community who had suffered from the introduction of the virus - namely the village poacher. Most people who live in the country realize that the poacher's law is that God's creatures were made for the benefit of all men, and that he should be entitled to his fair share as is the Squire of the Manor. Poaching in his view is not stealing, but just fair shares for all men. I must admit that your own correspondent would be unable to plead "not guilty" in a court of law if it came to a case of poaching. Many a happy, if not hazardous hour, has been spent "tickling" a trout in a chalk stream or setting the pheasant catchers only a stone's throw from the keeper's cottage. In many ways it is rather sad to think that one our oldest of country traditions is fast disappearing.

Talking of traditions, I wonder how many of you have seen the swifts prospecting the church tower as a possible home to raise their families. Both the Vicar and I have seen at least four birds on several occasions flying round and round the church obviously looking for a one-roomed flat, with full central heating! I must confess that nothing would give me much greater pleasure than to see the return of these two old countryside traditions, namely swifts in the church tower and the village poacher.

W.F.A.B.

FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS

Weddings

June 15 Richard Carleton and Christine Major.
Peter Fraser Chitticks and Susan Lloyd.

Sanctuary Guild

July 14 Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Holt.
21 Mrs. Kitchingham.
28 Miss Danby and Mrs. Fea.
Aug. 4 Mrs. Wallis and Mrs. Dagge.