Owl Box Refurbishment

I thought I should clear out the owl boxes before the spring, after discovering last years residents were hornets or possibly just common wasps, I'm still not totally sure. Not that I really object to them using the boxes but it would be great to see if an owl would nest in one at least. It's possible it's a hornets nest as they are common in the south and prefer wooded habitats. I should have taken a photo of them when I discovered them initially a few months ago but I was somewhat surprised to find them and being up a ladder it was not really my top priority to stop to take snaps!

Apparently they are docile creatures despite their reputation but might become aggressive if you disturb their nests and have a nasty sting. Hornets are brown and yellow rather than the black/yellow wasps that can be annoying in the garden in summer. Particularly pub gardens!

Bough Down

What with the snowy weather and end of year festivities I haven't been down to the wood for a while. Happily it seemed to get through the recent snow without any noticeable damage. There was a large oak bough that had come down before the cold weather set in, which needed sorting out so I set it about it with the chainsaw.