Springwatch 2012 in the Vale of Ffestiniog

I had seen the mother squirrel carrying nesting materials up the tree but what was it bringing down? In its mouth was a fluffy ball of baby squirrel. I watched it hop along and then up a tree covered with dense ivy, presumably providing greater protection from predators than the Scots Pine it was vacating.  What was the threat? Crows nest in the same tree but they’ve been neighbours for a long time. Maybe it was the buzzard that had been flying not far above the tree. 

The ospreys have been back for a few weeks and the RSPB hide at Pont Croesor is open once more. There is spectacular footage of the Maentwrog osprey diving for fish on Iolo’s Wild Wales, a DVD box set which is being released on 9^th April. The bird makes several dives before it succeeds, re-positions the fish mid flight to be more aero dynamic and flaps past visitors to Portmeirion at eye level; oblivious to the spectacle of nature. 

The Welsh government’s decision not to cull badgers has been welcomed by the local badger community but they are a bit concerned about the prospect of vaccination.