The horse flies were still around, although not quite a bad as last week, it must be a very good year for them. I managed to get a closer look and they are definitely a fly of some kind, as opposed to a large mossie so that is that question answered!
The first round of birds nests have fledged and the trees around the yardarm were full of young blue tits, coal tits and nuthatches arguing amongst themselves and flitting down to the food trays. There were also some blackbirds and I think I saw a tree creeper too. They are all very brave already and not fussed by our presence at all. Forrest was busy darting back and forth from the stump to stock up on seeds.
Ant finished some details on the wood store and then spent the day filling it up with both new and old wood from over by his tent and up by the top shed. His new chainsaw got a good workout!
I wandered from job to job. I dug 4 stumps and poisoned 3 others in the wayleave by the shower, so that section should be done now and there are just a few more to get at the top of the steps.
Then I cleared some missed rohide twigs that were sprouting in the areas up near the cars, and some brambles that were starting to get established too before moving on to clear bracken in the wayleave. It's quite hard now the grass is growing taller to it will definitely need doing again in a few weeks.
After a break for some lunch I added chicken wire to the next two planks of the yardarm decking, it's looking ok.
Helen arrived around 4, after a five hour walk and the flies were still annoying so we left about half past.
