Slow March Pt.2 - 16th to 31st March,2024

This blog post gives an account of some of the highlights of what was a rather gentle month in terms of excursions, but included a few welcome harbingers of spring.

Sunday, 17th March          Nature Alive, Coalville

It was a relatively sunny day, and quite warm too. I fancied a short trip out, but had to take into consideration the fact that, being fine weather after a period of poor weather, and a Sunday also, most of my usual haunts that were not still under water would be busy with people. I had heard of the Nature Alive nature reserve in Coalville but never visited. It was formed on a brown-field site of a relatively small area, trapped between a railway line, the Coalville ring road, and a small retail park. It has some ponds, the largest of which was formed by mining subsidence.

Having parked my car and entered the site, I walked up the slope to the embankment (on which a railway branch line to Swarkestone to the north once ran), and then descended the other side and found myself confronted by a torrent of water about 4 inches (10cm) deep running down the path towards me. Fortunately I had put on wellingtons, so was able to pass along the path undeterred. It was only about 15 metres until I reached dry land and was able to explore.

In one of the two smaller ponds I found there was a Coot having a splash-about.

Coot (Fulica atra) - Nature Alive

At the main lake, a pair of drake Mallards were having an interaction.

 

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (male) - Nature Alive

One of them then approached me, possibly hoping to be fed!

 

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (male) - Nature Alive

I carried on past the main lake, finding a few insects enjoying the flowers in the sunshine.

 

Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) - Nature Alive

Hairy-footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes) (male) - Nature Alive

There were some eye-catching clumps of Marsh Marigold around.

 

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) - Nature Alive

Arriving back at the main lake, there were two drake Shoveler in the distance.

Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) (male) - Nature Alive

Before I left, I could not resist taking a shot of one of the many magnificent clumps of Primrose that were on the site.

Primula (Primula vulgaris) - Nature alive

Monday, 18th March          Garden

This was a very special day, due to our first (and, so far, only) sighting of the year of Redpoll in our garden. It was a splendid male, and I did manage some shots, although I'd have been happier if I got some that were not on a feeder. Lesser Redpoll is a 'red-listed' species.

Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis cabaret) (male) - our garden

Tuesday, 19th March          Saltersford Valley Country Park  :  Donisthorpe Rail Trail

A quick visit to Saltersford Valley CP in the afternoon was a little disappointing in that the boardwalk was still closed, water levels were very high, and paths were still flooded. I saw nothing of real interest and only photographed a Mute Swan which appeared to have some staining from the discoloured water caused by leakage from the old coal mine workings.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) - Saltersford Valley CP

As I had spent so little time here, I decided to check out the disused railway line that is now a public trail, accessible from by the church on Church Street, Donisthorpe.

Again I found little to occupy me, but I did manage to get some photos of a Red-legged Partridge - a species that I have not photographed for a while.

Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) - Donisthorpe Rail Trail

The only other photos I took were of a lone wild violet.

Common Dog Violet (Viola riviniana) - Donisthorpe Rail Trail

Wednesday, 20th March          Garden  :  Bardon Hill area

We were visited by two male Siskin on this day, and I managed a few shots of one of them, away from the feeders.

Siskin (Spinus spinus) (male) - our garden

The previous day, there had been reports of a group of approximately 25 Waxwings on an industrial estate near Bardon Hill. As Bardon Hill is quite local to me, I felt compelled to visit for what might be my last chance of seeing a Waxwing of the season. I did a bit of research on Google Earth and sorted out where I was going to park in an area where most roads are very busy with trucks. 

Having parked, I only had to walk a couple of hundred metres before I spotted the flock in a distant tree, a little away from the area that they had been reported in. I took some records shots, as shown below.

Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) - Bardon Hill Industrial Estate

I counted 31 birds before I retraced my steps back to the road that my car was parked on, in the hope of being able to find another viewpoint for the birds that was perhaps a little nearer and not into the light, although it was not particularly bright weather.

I soon realised that there was no prospect of seeing the perched birds from this road and, to my dismay, the flock flew over my head and headed south in the approximate direction of the road that I was on. I followed the road to the end, but saw no sign of the Waxwings anywhere, although I did get a distant view of a Buzzard perched in a tree.

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) - Bardon Hill area

Thursday, 21st March          Garden

At the back end of last year, we had got used to regular visits from Magpie. However, this year they have become rather more elusive. On this day, two Magpies visited and I managed to catch one snaffling some dried Black Soldier-fly lavae that I'd tipped out of one of the Hedgehog feeding trays.

Magpie (Pica pica) - our garden

Friday, 22nd March          Our Conservatory

I noticed a small spider crawling up the window frame in our conservatory. I have not been able to positively identify it, but believe it to be one of the Philodromus species. If I had to make a guess, I'd say a female Philodromus dispar. It was released into the wild.

possible (Philodromus dispar) (female) - our conservatory

That afternoon I went to Calke Explore, which I have already reported on.

Friday, 29th March          Garden

This was something of a red letter day, as a Comma butterfly visited the garden - the first of the year. It was a bit tatty, so I believe it to be one that had emerged from winter hibernation.

Comma (Polygonia c-album) - our garden

Although a very common bird, the male Chaffinch is rather handsome.

Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) (male) - our garden

Saturday, 30th March          Garden  :  Willesley Wood

This was a good day for buterflies in the garden, with Brimstone, Peacock, and Small Tortoiseshell being seen. I only got usable photos of the Small Tortoiseshell.

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) - our garden

I was also pleased to see my first Bee-fly of the year.

Dark-edged Bee-fly (Bombylius major) - our garden

Seeing the butterflies in the garden prompted me to visit a local place which has been relatively productive for butterflies, including Brimstone.

I arrived and parked the car - although it is close to home, the road between my house and Willesley Wood is very dangerous to walk along as it is a narrow bendy road, running between dense hedges and has no verges.  There is, therefore, no option but to walk in the road, along which cars tend to travel at high speed.

As soon as I entered the site, I saw a Brimstone butterfly but it was distant and mobile, and soon disappeared. 

There were very deep puddles along the path and I was glad that I was wearing wellingtons. As I approached Thortit Lake I was astounded by how high the water level was. I suspect that it was about a metre above its usual level, and was approximately 4 inches (100 cm) deep over the path at one point. I wish, now, that I had taken some photos to illustrate this.

A female Mute Swan was busy tidying a nest, possibly incubating eggs, and it struck me that while this nest was currently like an island near the edge of the water, and quite safe from the many dogs that are walked here, when the water level receded to its normal situation the nest would be some distance from the water, and high and dry.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) (female) - Thortit Lake

A little further on, the male swan was dabbling around. That tree trunk, surrounded by water, is usually well out of the water.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) (male) - Thortit Lake

Close by, there was a Coot which seemed more confiding than I'm used to with this species.

Coot (Fulica atra) - Thortit Lake

There was little happening on the north side of the lake so I headed off in an anti-clockwise perambulation. Reaching the path on the south side of the lake, I was surprised to see water reaching up to the path. Usually, water is not visible from this path as it is about 150 metres away, through densely packed trees. 

At one point, I had nice views of a Heron.

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) - Thortit Lake

I also found my second Bee-fly of the year!

Dark-edged Bee-fly (Bombylius major) -Willesley Wood

I then headed back to my car, stopping to photograph a very tatty Peacock by the exit gate.

Peacock (Aglais io) - Willesley Wood

I was just about to get into my car, when a Brimstone flew by and stopped briefly, further up the lane. I followed it for a while and eventually it stopped long enough for me to take a record shot.

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) (male) - Willesley Woodside

Sunday, 31st March          Garden

Not a particularly eventful day but I had a rare opportunity to photograph a Wren in the garden - it is not the presence of the Wren that is rare, but the opportunity to photograph one, as they are forever on the move and soon vanish!

Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) - our garden

 

Thus ended what I believe was the wettest March on record. Fortunately, the weather seems to be improving a little and spring has now sprung - fingers are crossed that we continue to get some more helpful wildlife watching opportunities.

As usual, I expect my next blog post to be in about a week's time. In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and Nature. Thank you for dropping by - - - Richard

 

Owl Therapy - on 25th March, 2022

Since returning from the Isles of Scilly on 14th March, I have been somewhat preoccupied with trying to work through just short of three thousand photos shot during that break, and making a new door for a brick outbuilding, punctuated by what seems like a continual stream of medical visits. In fact I have just counted and have had visits to four different hospitals in that time, plus two other medical facilities. However, I am pleased to say that none of these seem to be concerning anything serious, although I am still awaiting completion of investigation on two counts.

Lindsay, unfortunately, has also had a few medical visits and her situation is rather more serious. The prognosis for her is that she will have a knee replacement later this year. We are hoping that this will alleviate her rapidly diminishing mobility.

This will be a relatively short blog post, just to keep the ball rolling while I sort out a report for my Isles of Scilly break.

On  Friday 25th March, I felt that I needed a break and so, having packed a picnic lunch, I set off eastwards to see if I could find a Little Owl. 

I was sorry to see a tree that, for many years, had been a favoured nesting site for Barn Owl had been destroyed in recent gales. 

Further on, at my Little Owl Site No.23, I found the barn that I regularly used to see owls at had been almost totally destroyed in the gales.

The disappointment continued when I found that a chain saw had been taken to the tree the was my LO Site No.37. I was no long fit for habitation.

I stopped for lunch at my favourite picnic site, which also happens to be my Little Owl Site No.34. No owl was showing at first, but part-way through my lunch, an owl appeared in the opening to the nest cavity.

Little Owl (Athene noctua) - my Site No.34

After my lunch, I set off once more and was soon approaching my LO Site No.42 - an owl was visible as I approached. With well-practiced fieldcraft I managed a shot of the owl, which was still in place as I left.
 

Little Owl (Athene noctua) - my Site No.42

Now feeling considerably happier than I was an hour previously, I felt that it was time to head a little further afield and set off for Eyebrook Reservoir.

Eyebrook was a pleasant experience although nothing outstanding was seen. The Cormorants were resting in their favourite place at the inlet end.

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) - Eyebrook Reservoir

A Mute Swan made a lot of noise and disturbance in its attempt to take flight.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) - Eyebrook Reservoir

Several ducks were observed at a distance. A drake Teal always looks splendidly handsome.

Teal (Anas crecca) (male) - Eyebrook Reservoir

A pheasant wandered by at close-quarters.

Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) (male) - Eyebrook Reservoir

A Greylag Goose was also unfazed by my close presence.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser) - Eyebrook Reservoir

A Red-legged Partridge was being very secretive and was only occasionally seen when it put its head up above the grass.

Red-legged Partidge (Alectoris rufa)) - Eyebrook Reservoir

It occurred to me that, sadly, a third of the species that I photographed (pheasant and partridge) at Eyebrook Reservoir were there because someone had introduced them so that they could be shot. That partridge was probably still alive because it was so good at concealing itself. It did, however, eventually show itself a lot more fully.
 

Red-legged Partidge (Alectoris rufa)) - Eyebrook Reservoir

It was now time to head homeward. As I reached LO Site No.34 once more, the owl was in the nest cavity opening and with more light on it, so I wound down the window and took a shot from the road. Unfortunately, it did not turn to look at me.

Little Owl (Athene noctua) - my Site No.34

Nothing more of interest was seen on my way home. It had been a day of mixed feelings - sheer delight at seeing the owls, but sorrow at seeing the destruction of nest sites. I also found myself reflecting on how many times I had taken this route with John Truman who is, sadly, no longer with us. 

It will probably be about a week before I'm ready with my Isles of Scilly blog post. In the meantime, take good care of yourselves and Nature. Thank you for dropping by - - - Richard
 

Putting A Toe In The Water - 15th - 28th February, 2021

The frustration of being in lockdown and not leaving the house came to a head on Monday 15th February. Feeling in great need of some excercise, and with further clarification on what was permissible under lockdown regulations, I decided that, provided my main activity was walking, I could legitimately go out in my car, as long as I did not venture far from my home, to reach a safe place where I could have a walk in the countryside, carrying my binoculars and camera - as long as I did not stop for any significant period of time. My mind was made up!

Monday, 15th February

A combination of factors, including weather and personal commitments, put my plans to go out on hold. The Pied Wagtail (not seen since) and female Blackcap both visited this day.

Tuesday, 16th February - Oakthorpe Colliery to Saltersford Valley, and return

With Lindsay out for a walk in the morning (she hadn't been out for even longer than me!), and me with some chores to do, I spent the morning at home, putting faith in the improved weather forecast for the afternoon. I did take a few shots of garden birds.

In the afternoon, I drove to nearby Oakthorpe Colliery - a place that is within walking distance of our home but along a road without verges that is favoured by speeding drivers, one of which nearly took me out last time I walked it - and parked in the car park.

The first part of my walk was along a broad hard-surfaced ride which gave me plenty of room to get out of the way of those persons who don't give a fig about social distancing. The second part was down a narrow track, hedged on both sides, and one of the two hazard stretches on my journey. Fortunately, however, I have never found myself crossing paths with anyone on this stretch. At the end of this, I join a farm access road known as Pastures Lane and I have had a few sightings along here - but not on this occasion. Pastures Lane brings me to a busy road where the speed limit is largely ignored, and this is the other hazard area as it has a narrow sidewalk on just one side, and this is bordered by a tall hedge. Fortunately, not many people use this footpath as stepping out of somebody's way is likely to put one into the path of a speeding car. This road then brings me to the tranquility of Saltersford Valley. 

Saltersford Valley was a favoured place for dragonflies and damselflies during the summer, but I have found that it can have some avian interest too, although I have not yet seen anything particularly exciting. Sadly, I did not do well here on this occasion, with little seen, and the only things photographed being a Blue Tit and a distant, partly obscured, Reed Bunting!

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) - Saltersford Valley

 

Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) (male) - Saltersford Valley

My return journey was a little less comfortable as I crossed with a number of people, the majority of whom made no effort to keep their distance and I got the impression that two parties were even going out of their way to pass close to me. I did manage to find a quiet few minutes, however, to attempt some photos of Long-tailed Tits.

 

Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) - Pastures Lane

My first trip out into nature had not been encouraging, but I was determined not to be put off.

Wednesday, 17th February - Normanton le Heath area

It was a bit cloudy and breezy, but fairly warm and I went out mid morning to what I used to consider to be my 'local patch' where I once had several Little Owl sites, all of which are I believe, now defunct. This is a fairly good area for Yellowhammer and I saw some in the distance, plus a number of Fieldfare, but my photos are not worth bothering you with here.

Back home, I grabbed a few shots of the female Blackcap that seems to have become a permanent resident but almost exclusively favours two very unphotogenic areas of our garden.

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) (female) - garden on 16th February, 2021

Thursday, 18th February - Babelake Street and across some fields

The day started with sunny spells and there was a strong cool breeze. In the afternoon I visited narrow dead-end lane which I had not visited for a number of years, but which is close to my 'local patch'. My outward journey was facing directly into low sun, making it difficult to see much ahead of me, so I was looking forward to the return journey. However it clouded over as I started back, and was raining before I got back to my car. It had been unproductive in terms of sightings, but it looked as if the lane might have promise in warmer, less windy, weather.

I was disappointed to see on one of the trail cams that we had another visit by Brown Rat that night - I really don't like rats!

Friday, 19th February 

We now have three Hedgehogs visiting most nights, and one of them is still up to his mountaineering tricks. On this night I forgot to remove the mealworm dish which, it appears, still had some in!

Sunday, 21st February

A mild and sunny day, and it was a delight to see bees in the garden. They mainly favoured the heather, but one was dipping into the crocuses. I have not yet attempted to ID these, and suspect that this might be difficult. - UPDATE:- With thanks to Conehead54 and Diane, these bees have been identified as Western Honey Bees.

Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) - garden on 21st February, 2021

We are now seeing flowers blooming in the garden. Here are a few.
 

Iris - garden on 21st February, 2021

Snowdrop - garden on 21st February, 2021

Crocus - garden on 21st February, 2021

This winter, one of our bird feeding facilities has started develping a number of bracket fungi. I am watching progress with interest.

Bracket fungus - garden feeding post on 21st February, 2021

Monday, 22nd February - Oakthorpe Colliery, Saltersford Valley, Thortit Lake

Having not been out for a few days, I took an afternoon trip out, revisiting my route of the previous Tuesday, but adding in another leg on the return journey. 

The water level on the lake which is visible in the distance from Pastures Lane was such that it had flooded into neighbouring fields. Some Canada Geese were enjoying puddles in the middle of the field beween the lane and the lake.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - from Pastures Lane

Further over, a Mute Swan was in the company of a pair of Coot

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) + Coot (Fulica atra) - from Pastures Lane

Hugging the far side of the lake, was a female Goosander. I spent a while here, hoping for her to come a little nearer, but this was not to be.
 

Goosander (Mergus merganser) (female) - from Pastures Lane

Having reached Saltersford Valley, on the first lake I found a Great Crested Grebe that looked as if it might just be starting its transition into breeding plumage. I moved to a different place where I was a little closer and managed some shots.

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - Saltersford Valley

At the second (main) lake, I was reminded of how some ducks have heads that seem ridiculously narrow when viewed head-on.
 

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) (male) - Saltersford Valley

Further on in my circuit, a pair of Bullfinch were visible through the bare branches. This was as clear a shot as I could get.

Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) (male + female) - Saltersford Valley

As I arrived back at the first lake, the grebe was in a much closer position.

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - Saltersford Valley

Heading back along Pastures Lane, I spotted a pair of Red-legged Partridge in a field to the south of the lane.

Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) - from Pastures Lane

Back near the lake on the north side, a Great Crested Grebe was in nearly full breeding plumage.

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) -from Pastures Lane

The Mute Swan was now out on the water, as were the Canada Geese.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) - from Pastures Lane

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - from Pastures Lane

Having returned to Oakthorpe Colliery, I decided to cut through Willesley Wood to take a look at Thortit Lake. To my delight, I found a pair of Goosander here, although they were hugging the far side of the lake.

Goosander (Mergus merganser) (female + male) - Thortit Lake

Goosander (Mergus merganser) (male) - Thortit Lake

Goosander (Mergus merganser) (female) - Thortit Lake

After walking to the far end of the lake, I turned round and headed back to my car, having had a slightly more productive time than on my previous visit to Saltersford Valley.

 

That night I put out the moth trap, and caught my first two moths of the year, both of which were March Moth - not an auspicious result.

 

March Moth (Alsophila aescularia) (male) - garden moth trap on 22nd February, 2021

Wednesday, 24th February - Oakthorpe Colliery, Thortit Lake, Willesley Park

 

Leaving the trail cams running a little after sunrise sometimes results in daylight footage, rather than monochrome IR images. On this day, one of the cams caught a Magpie exibiting that wonderful irridescence.

As, on the previous day, the only walk I'd been on was of just over a kilometre to the post box and back, I figured it was time to go a little further afield. I was also wanting to explore new routes for walking. My starting point was my well-trodden route from Oakthorpe Colliery and along the north side of Thortit Lake.

 

A pair of Great Crested Grebe, in breeding plumage, were already nest building. Here is one of them.

 

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - Thortit Lake

The male Goosander was there, but there was no sign of the female. I have never noticed before that the top of a Goosander's red bill seems to be relatively flat and almost black.

 

Goosander (Mergus merganser) (male) - Thortit Lake

At the east end of the lake there was much noise from a calling Buzzard which showed briefly.

 

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) - Willesley Woods

From here, I walked up Willesley Woodside to the point where it is severed by the A42 road. I then took the track that runs parallel to the A42 before cutting across to another footpath that takes a route through Willesley Park Golf Course. There are woodland sections on this path and there are many ancient trees around. I suspect that this area could do with further exploration. Currently there is no danger from flying golf balls, due to lockdown regulations. Just before I left the golf course, I could not resist a shot of a squirrel.

 

Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) - Willesley Park

I then rejoined my outward route and headed back to the car.

 

Thursday, 25th February - Thortit Lake, Willesley Wood, Willesley Woodside

The most garden excitement this day was spotting our first butterfly of the year. This was a Small Tortoiseshell. Unfortunately, it flew before I could get out there with the camera.

 

With a busy day in prospect, I took a short walk this day, parking on Willesley Woodside, walking the north side of Thortit Lake before taking a walk through Willesley Wood.

In Willesley Wood I found a charming spot where a number of ornamental figures had been placed by a tree stump.

in Willesley Wood

What made this place really magical, however, was the notice that rested against the other side of the tree stump. I hope that you are looking at this on a device wiith a large enough screen to read it.

in Willesley Wood

Further along in the wood, I found myself in a sunny ride between young trees. I spent a little time here with some Long-tailed Tits and a Robin.

Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) -Willesley Wood

Robin (Erithacus rubecula) - Willesley Wood

That night, one of the trail cams caught two Hedgehogs in a couple of clips.

Friday, 26th February

A trail cam caught Starlings having a bath in the 'Duck Pond'.

That morning, I made a return visit to Babelake Street. There is some conjecture about the pronunciation of 'Babelake'. I had always thought of it as being pronounced as 'Babbellake', but I have an aquaintance who lives on the road and always pronounces it as 'Babe Lake". I must remember to ask him if this is the way it should be pronounced, or just his own little joke.

 

Near the inner end of the lane, I found a couple of Carrion Crows high up in a tree. Here is one of them.

 

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) - Babelake Street

A short while later, a Buzzard appeared, and was soon being worried by a Crow.

 

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) + Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) - Babelake Street

Little else was seen on the rest of the walk, but I still think this area has promise.

 

Saturday, 27th February - Normanton le Heath area

 

There was excitement this day as we had two different Small Tortoiseshell butterflies visit the garden at different times. At first, I assumed that these were the same individual. However, on examining my shots, I found that the first one had some minor damage to its right hind wing, which the second did not. If it was the other way round, I could not have made this assumption as it could easily have got damaged in the interim - a fact that was born out when the second one flew from its place on the wall and was immediately grabbed by a Great Tit and taken to our Viburnum, where its wings fluttered down as it was eagerly devoured!

Small Tortoiseshell #1 (Aglais urticae) - garden on 27th February, 2021

Small Tortoiseshell #2 (Aglais urticae) - garden on 27th February, 202

That afternoon, I went for a walk on my local patch, where virtually nothing was seen and the only photos I took were of a Blue Tit, purely for the purpose of exercising my shutter-button finger.  I show this photo because (and you may think I'm going crazy here!) I find that I can't look at it without thinking that the bird's head has an almost human aspect to it.

 

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) -my local patch

 Well that's it, Folks. I started with a Blue Tit and I've ended on one too.

 

That second week had given me some good clues for new places to investigate for future walks close to home, and had also given me some much needed exercise. My gizmo tells me that this was the furthest I had walked in a week since our vacation on the Isles of Scilly in March 2020. 

 

This week I am mainly staying in, catching up on some of the things that I should have been doing last week. I have, however, made a start on my latest leatherwork project.

 

Leatherwork Update

 

I do occasionally (i.e. roughly on an annual basis) taken to doing the odd bit of leatherwork. Until this year, this has been purely the making of decorated leather belts. If you missed my earlier blog on this, you can find it here:- http://peglerbirding.blogspot.com/2021/01/wildlife-inspired-leatherwork.html

I have now started work on a small 'messenger bag', with the purpose of carrying some of my paraphernalia when I am out dragonfly hunting. The first part of the process was to make a dragonfly motif for the front of the bag. I decided that a detailed realistic representation was well beyond my capabilities, so settled for a stylised motif. The motif is now completed, as shown on the right. It's far from perfect, but I am quite happy with it. I am now working on the main fabric of the bag itself. I have cut out and stained all the leather. I now have to give it a protective coating, then add the metal hardware (I'm waiting for the brass to finish its 'antiquing' process in a pot of vinegar!) and finally screwing and sewing it all together. It will probably be a few weeks yet!

I hope to be publishing my next blog post in a week or two's time. In the meantime, take good care and stay safe.