FAUNA & FLORA

This page details some of the palnts and animals we are lucky to have in the garden of the mill.

The garden was essentially part of a field when we first moved in but several trees were added, along with non native bamboos, and rather than make it a formal garden it eveloved as a series of paths of short cropped grass through higher grass species and nettles. Some bulbs of snowdrops and daffodils were added and they have spread alongside the two small ponds which were established to encourage insects and frogs and toads. The increase in trees has unfortunately displaced some birds, such as Grasshopper warblers, which prefer meadow grass which are now overplanted in the main by trees. A kingfisher has been seen, fleetingly. Oak, Ash, Birch, Scots Pine, Balsam, Beech, Walnut and a Spanish Chestnut have all been planted along with Cypressus which was a mistake as they need cutting back as hedges / windbreaks. Spindle trees are dotted about too and shrubs such as Rhod. Ponticum have been added for some colour. Some fruit trees such as Egremont Russet and James Grieve apples were planted along with cherry and Victoria plum. Neglect means they probably don't do as well as they should but they feed the birds. Hazel also encourages field mice to stash nuts along with acorns in the shed in things such as motorcycle silencers which is only an issue when I go to refit them. Newts, frogs, toads, lizards and ants are frequently seens. Mustelids of various kinds visit regularly. Hares, foxes and roe deer wander at will too from the surrounding woods.

FAUNA

  • Several lizards inhabit the polytunnel and appear when the temperature increases in the Spring.
  • A fairly poor picture of an osprey which fishes in the Udale Bay. Several pairs nest on the Black Isle. They seem to wait for the tide to receed and are usually mobbed by gulls and crows.
  • A dish of peanuts and sultanas entice a pine marten into the open. This was taken early one evening in the summer.
  • Interesting stool discovered on the policies. Suspect fox as badgers generally use a latrine area and pine martens produce smaller number two's.
  • Three martens, presumably of the same family group, enjoying some peanuts and sultanas, the main attractions to entice them. They are also partial to a custard cream or two.
  • Our feral cat Meeps (Magnificent Empress Eugenie Postlethwaite) who lived with us for several years. She was some hunter.
  • Our first cat Gordon who we adopted from a cat rescue centre on the canal bank days after we moved in. He was a fearless hunter. He ridded the mill area of any rabbits and weasels with aplomb.
  • A badger takes peanuts after we set up a bullet cam out the back of the mill. A motorcycle tyre was used at first ot frame the feeding area in front of the new camera installation. They are creatures of habit, use the same paths each night and visit the same areas to seek out a meal.
  • This magnificent beast had a long history of inhabiting the upper bathroom. Either it, or its offspring, seem to reappear each year.
  • Another shot of a badger polishing off peanuts.
  • The crysallis of an Emperor Hawk Moth which seem to like the large swathes of Rose Bay Willow Herb that grow along the track in summer.
  • Newhall Burn is a favourite spot for otters who roam the foreshore of Udale Bay and come up the burn to wash and in this case sledge in the snow. A bitch and two cubs have also been picked up on the trail cam with typical spraint stones bening used near this spot.
  • Gordon in front of the stove.
  • A recent avian visitor (Autumn 2024) was this mature WT Eagle. I believe it had recently eaten as there was blood on its front plumage and was loath to fly off despite gulls and crows taking umbrage at its appearance.
  • The garden hosts many different invertibrates and plants which are attracted by plants, in this case lavendar, which we dot about the policies.
  • A Ruddy Shelduck with a gamy leg has visited several times over the summer of 2024. A colourful visitor, which was at the limit of spotting scope and phone camera combination, in this photograph.

A gallery of images of some of the animals which inhabit or pass through the policies.

FLORA

  • The odd shaped area extending east from the mill was an enclosed part of a rough grass field. The first job was to cut paths with a ride on to allow a survey of the area. A planting plan was then drawn up. Picture taken on early digital camera hence poor definitiion.
  • Several bamboos were bouught from a nursery in Strathdon. These have 3 distinct different coloured stems. The normal yellow, a black and a green.
  • A pond was dug and bridged. Here it is replete, with decoy duck.
  • "Granny Beech" has since been removed, due to rot at the base and proximity to the main building.
  • Alwaysa welcome sight in the Spring.
  • Sloe bushes were planted around the perimeter. Unfortunately over shading by neighbours planting has resulted in poor growth in recent years.
  • Looking up bank towards laburnum and copper beech and Acer.
  • Autumn colours on the bank.
  • Several hazels were given to us by Anna & Shaun McFie
  • Variety not known.
  • Poor definition picture taken with early digitial camera.
  • Mill in foreground with neighbouring properties, with Shawfield then Newhall House stretching off to the north west.
  • Granny Beech was an impressive but rotten tree in close proximity to the mill. With sadness it was decided it would be prudent to remove it in 2016. The area has been reseeded in this picture.
  • One of the first seedlings from Dundreggan nursery. Donated by Ian Dudgeon.
  • Rot had set in at the base and unfortunately fence wire was also embedded in the base which probably led to rot accessing the core.
  • Polytunnel being eraected after the demise in high winds of a cheap B&Q greenhouse. Erected circa 2014.
  • Meeps being vocal about the fact her old hunting ground at the cottage ruin was being turned over to a polytunnel.
  • Early attempts in the polytunnel.

A gallery of some of the plants left in place or planted by ourselves since moving in to the mill. A polytunnel is used to produce vegetables and fruit on a small scale.