On the Levels, down the Parrett, looking for Cranes

We’re going on a Crane hunt…. but no t-shirts this time, although I promise a little woolly crafting item at the end.

We went for a walk on the Somerset Levels, beside the River Parrett, in the hope of catching sight of Great Cranes. There has been a project to re-establish cranes on the Levels. Luck was on our side and we did see them, but too far away for a photo. Three flew together and swooped down, out of sight, into a field. We heard them long before we saw them.

The herons and egrets are easier to photograph, as they mooched among the cows. I remember the excitement of seeing a little egret 15+ years ago in Devon. Now they seem to have moved successfully further north and are relatively easy to spot on the Levels.

We heard a cuckoo. When I was younger, a cuckoo’s call was part of the rhythm of the year. I expected to hear one every May/June. Until about 10 years ago, even from our current garden, we heard the call, but now it is rare. This was the very first time that any of my children had heard a cuckoo. They’ve read stories about them. They’ve watched nature programs and seen cuckoo clocks. They’ve grown up knowing the noise, but this was the first time they heard it for real. If for no other reason, I’m glad we took this walk, just to hear its call.

We also saw:

• hare
• banded demoiselle (damselfly)
• stoat
• little owl
• unidentified bird of prey, or two
• ducks and swans
• bat holes
• buzzard and kestrel
• woodpecker holes
• mistletoe in apple tree

Not all stayed still for the camera, but the yellow flag iris was gracious enough to pose. The children declared it the best walk ever. We plotted and planned how we could spend more time on the Somerset Levels. I’m not sure we would see the eldest from breakfast till bedtime, if we lived there.

Later in the week, we found ourselves down on another part of the Levels and saw the great egret and a secretive bittern. The boom call of the bittern is something else. I am so grateful that we live near enough to enjoy this area so rich in nature. Craft-wise, I find it very inspiring.

Talking of nature inspired crafting, and as promised, a finished needlefelting item.

I’ve made this for TF to give to him on his upcoming birthday. He requested a wallet like Daddy, not a purse. I wet felted around a plastic resist. Needlefelted a tractor and sheep on the front, which was inspired by the farm opposite us. TF and I often stop and watch the tractor working in the fields, although I mainly watch the sheep.

Added a zip and lining, ready for coins. He has seen it being made, but has not seen it finished. Not a purse, most definitely a wallet.

He’ll probably be more excited to find coins in there. Ah well. I’m sure he will love the wallet too.

(Now I have the urge to needlefelt a crane. The bird not the machine.)