104. A week of wildlife...

On Sunday when I went running I met a badger. Seemingly also out for a morning trot, or perhaps late home after a hard night's worming. Ran towards me on the Sett Valley Trail for perhaps 40 metres, then saw or smelt me and did a U turn, re-traced its steps and disappeared into the scrub. Left an extremely distinctive and powerful musky smell.

On Tuesday there was a large bird caught in our fruit cage. I opened the door and encouraged it to leave. But it could not find the way out. It was a large bird with talons so I put my hood up and went in to help. But it could not find the exit. In the end I caught it - it simply gave up and just hung from the cage roof. When I had it in my hands I realised (95%) that it was a peregrine - a very special moment for me. I lay it on our (empty) bee platform and after 5 mins of recovering it flew off.

And yesterday saw the first lambs being born next door. Not strictly wildlife, but for any of you urban dwellers...

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