30 Days Wild // Week 3

 

Welcome to Week 3 of 30 Days Wild!
30 Days Wild happens annually in June, run by The Wildlife Trusts and is to encourage us to get out and take part in 'Random Acts Of Wildness' every day of the month. Unless you are completely new here you will know we are a very wild family, to begin with! However, it's not only an excuse to share nature and wildlife-themed photos every single day of my project 365  but it is also a fun way to mix up my wildness to include things other than just my obsession with photographing every bird that enters my garden haha.

Just as I did last year I'm sharing each week here as well as daily on my Instagram.

See last week's post here >> 30 days Wild // Week 2

Check out Week 3 of 30 Days Wild from last year, 2021, here >> 30 Days Wild // Week 3

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Day 15
Happy Nature Photography Day!

Today we took our monthly visit to Beamish, however, we decided to leave Baker at home today as it's now too hot and dogs shouldn't be out in it.
That being said, it meant I was able to let my eyes and mind wander a little more than usual, spotting all of the wildlife and photographing all the nature haha.

Day 16
Water Conservation.

Today I finished yet another perfect book that I think everyone needs to read.
Talking about such an important topic but in a heartfelt fictional story, I hope that it will really help to make more people care and make a change.
It's fitting that I finished a book about water (and a super special whale of course) on this day of 30 Days Wild when we're thinking about water conservation.
I don't need to say how much of a lifeline water is.

We need water.
However, by the 2080s we will be in huge water deficits and so we all need to start being more aware of our water consumption.

Some ways that we personally save water are:
- Turning the tap off! Don't let it run when you don't need to.
- Only wash full loads of washing.
- Have a water butt to water plants.
- Use a 'waste water' tub. When freshening pets water bowls or tipping out used (but free from cleaning products etc)
water, we add the waste to a tub which is then all used for watering plants rather than sending it down the drain.
- Flush the toilet less!
- Keep on top of any drips or leaks, the small escaped water adds up to big amounts over time.
- Install a water meter. This not only helps you keep on top of how much water you are using but also saves you money!

We love water! We love ponds and lakes and lochs and rivers and seas and oceans.
Please do your part to protect them and their inhabitants by being climate aware and environmentally responsible. 🌊

Day 17
A Helping Hand for Hedgehogs...

An unexpected wild event today.
We have another Hog in the Hallow family mini-rescue!

For those who do not know, before I get comments, I have a lot of experience and knowledge with wildlife rehab.
I have helped pigeons, blackbirds, sparrows, seagulls and hedgehogs previously and if they were more poorly than I could personally handle they would be taken
straight to a wildlife rescue (there are none in my area, I'd have to take them a good distance away hence doing what I can myself when I can first) or a vet.

That out of the way, say hello to Ludo!
With our previous little female hog named Hoggle, I thought it fitting to name this big boy Ludo.
He was in the middle of a busy trading estate entrance heading toward a very dangerous main road in the bright daylight and was very, very slow.
A Jackdaw was pecking at him and he was not curling up to protect himself as I watched nor when I approached.
The road he was on has multiple dead hedgehogs along its length and I couldn't leave him with that fate on my mind.
So he came to the Hallow House 🦔

He was dehydrated, but at a good weight.
I do not touch the wildlife if it can be avoided so although he did have a quick once over during transfer to the hutch,
I observed him overnight to make sure he's ready before release into our (very hog and wildlife friendly) garden.
He ate, drank and pooped which is brilliant!

If possible, please provide plenty of fresh drinking water for all wildlife.
Always, but especially during these hot days!!
Shallow dishes, bird baths, bowls with sticks in for bugs and small animals to climb out.
It's very important and a huge help.
Remember to also clean them often and refill them daily to protect from bird flu and other diseases.

Day 18
Pebble Painting.

This was an activity I did in last year's 30 days Wild, with a sea theme for World Oceans Day!
I've painted pebbles for a few years and so I tried to think of new ideas that I haven't done before...
which is harder said than done. 
I'm no artist that's for sure but I do like to do these and leave them while out on walks for people to find.

Day 19
Wasp Friend.

I think most people just flap them away and run from them but this wasp (assuming it's the same one) comes pretty much every day and very loudly 'chews' the bamboo screening on our fence.
I can hear them from across the garden and love to watch them!
It's so interesting!

Day 20
Reepicheep is back again!

I did attempt some cloud watching today, but the sky was unusually clear and blue.
Yesterday I saw a cloud that looked like a whale with a calf but I was driving and had no camera.

 However, I did have a sky photo ready for today...until Mr H shouted to me when he had Baker out for the toilet.
Reepicheep was back on the bird table again!!
They seemed very hot so I brought out a smaller bowl of water for them and was shocked at how close I was able to approach.
It makes me a little sad (as well as insanely happy) because as much as I adore wildlife and love them to come near me, I do hope they retain a fear of humans and stay away as not all of our species are nice.
 It was lovely to see you again though Reep 🐭🖤

Day 21
Happy Summer Solstice 🌞

They've not been featured in my daily photos for a while, so here are Eos, Aurora and Baker enjoying both the sun and shade.

We were also able to release Ludo tonight.
In comparison to Hoggle, he's a very timid, shy guy despite being so big!
We left him in the front garden, near the hog-house with food and water in the proximity and
upon checking this morning he's completely gone - so fingers are crossed for long, healthy life.

With Summer being fully here now and climate change bringing record temperatures,
I implore you to look after pets and wildlife even more.
Make sure both have plenty of options for access to fresh, clean water.
Keep pets indoors, don't walk your dogs, provide shade for all, make sure to pay close attention to small animals and if hutches etc are outdoors please get them into the shade.
For all pets, there are numerous options for keeping cool, but a good free option includes filling bottles with water and freezing them, then wrap in a towel and leave in a place where your animal frequents.
 Search the internet for anything else you can do, please.
It is literally life and death.

Another week of 30 Days Wild has flown away on the wind! It was a mammal-heavy week which is wonderful and I hope it encourages you to make your garden extra wildlife-friendly and help the little creatures who are struggling in this heat.

We are currently on Day 14 of the challenge so pop on over to my Instagram to keep up with my daily posts in real-time >> Instagram
See last week's post here >> 30 days Wild // Week 2
Check out Week 3 of 30 Days Wild from last year, 2021, here >> 30 Days Wild // Week 3

Until next time...