Adey A

Althorp House before the heavy hail storm yesterday. [email protected] #althorppark

11.30 today, Female caught fly-tipping on the estate. " it's ok, my friends do it" was her response when challenged. All reported to the council, let's see what is done, even with two witnesses and photographic evidence! Worth watching this one. [email protected] #crime

Life size, Grizzly bear made from box clippings, chicken wire and moss. He stood outside Dairy Cottage for a couple of years before being pulled apart by the peacocks and Guinea fowl! When it turned brown it looked very realistic indeed. [email protected] #Spencerestates

The beech hedging @AlthorpHouse was being trimmed by gardener, Alex P. Yesterday. It will take Alex approximately one week to complete the many metres surrounding the front lawns. [email protected] #Spencerestates

1st century roman keystone. It was found in a field where a roman villa once stood. Hand cut and beautifully preserved piece of historic stone. I found a quern stone from the same period a couple of years earlier in the very same place. [email protected] #Spencerestates

This small unassuming piece of limestone remains one of my favourite finds ever @AlthorpHouse If you know, you know! [email protected]

I'd been after this book for a long time. With William Kent, these two landscape geniuses towered above all others in their profession. Brown was commissioned by John 1st. Earl Spencer at Wimbledon and Repton redesigned The Harlestone estate, Northants. [email protected]

Young woodpigeon (squab) in Althorp's arboretum today. I find them a little strange looking, in a nice way. They typically leave the 'twig' nest after two weeks but still have to learn how to fly whilst being fed by both parents. [email protected] #Spencerestates

The late brood of blackbird chicks have grown like weeds. They will fledge next week, all being well. 🤞 [email protected]

Naturalist and author DJ Watkins-Pitchford (1905-1990) aka 'BB' wrote many books and thousands of illustrated articles that inspired me to work with nature and to draw and paint wildlife. Born a few villages from Althorp 'BB' taught art at Rugby school. [email protected]

Biggest brood of tufted ducks I've ever seen @AlthorpHouse They were all busy chasing insects across the water. Mother did well to hatch that lot! [email protected] #Spencerestates

Stud male (macho) "The big Bopper" came to visit the lady Alpaca's today @AlthorpHouse He loved being in the minibus and even had his own bespoke window. [email protected]

A rather chilled out hare on the lawn @AlthorpHouse this morning. The brown hares here in the park are definitely less concerned about humans being around them. Visitors to Althorp often comment on how nice it is to see them. [email protected] #hares #Spencerestates

Couple of shots from the wetlands at Brampton Brook today. [email protected] #wetlands #Spencerestates

Newly hatched blackbird chicks @AlthorpHouse today. Likely to be a third brood. [email protected] #nature #Spencerestates

One of the regular hedge-pigs showed up early this evening. She had a good "blow-out", then scurried off again foraging in the field. A shallow dish of fresh water can be a lifesaver for many creatures, especially hedgehogs. [email protected] #hedgehogs #Spencerestates

Purple Emperor butterflies are showing well again at Althorp this morning. I saw one particularly nice male on the woodland track, it had been on some fresh fox scat! We will be planting more goat willow where we have had this latest colony appear. [email protected]

After a day of recording Purple Emperors and assorted butterflies and insects at Althorp, I come home to a hummingbird hawk-moth on my buddleja. Today is what I call a good day. [email protected] #Spencerestates #WildlifeConservation

Not got time to stay here with you, I'm photographing butterflies today! [email protected]