Keeping the trail dry (and encouraging hikers to stay on the trail) is an essential conservation measure, to protect the surrounding bog. And the task is a journey rather than a destination, because as soon as we clean out a drain, the bog starts growing back over it again. And so on.

When there are puddles on the trail, walkers tend to walk at the edge, creating a new path (visible on the left of the track). Since the 'new' path is on bog, it will quickly erode and become muddy, encouraging walkers to inadvertently create yet another path to avoid the mud. And so on

I've a trailcam set up by a wet area in the meadow to record Common snipe but they haven't appeared yet. But it captured a thrush and a fieldfare - a winter migrant from Scandinavia. #fieldfare #thrush #westmeath #ireland #rahugh #wildmeadow

The leaves on the apple trees in my back garden are still hanging on, and they provide excellent foraging for this Goldcrest, which can pick off tiny insects living on the leaves. I've slowed the video by 50% for ease of viewing. @birdwatchireland.bsky.social #goldcrest #backgarden #habitat #galway

A new visitor to this perch in the meadow. It can see a faint reflection of itself in the trail cam, hence the bemusement. #trailcam #greycrow #Rahugh #Westmeath #Ireland

Yep - I spotted these pheasants at the edge of Galway city, presumably released by the local gun club. As challenging to hunt as farmyard chickens.

Me, after two days of my wife's birthday celebrations...

I repaired the high perch in the meadow this week after it fell down, and look who came back first. @birdwatchireland.bsky.social #BarnOwl #Rahugh #Westmeath #Ireland #trailcam

I've was clearing the overgrowth from the lawn yesterday (due to the construction work earlier this year) and spent half the time uncovering frogs which I then returned to the wildlife pond (and yes, there are STILL tadpoles swimming in the pond) #frog #tadpole #Galway #wildlife #pond

There are STILL tadpoles in the wildlife pond in my back garden. These ones really don't want to leave home.... #tadpole #wildlifepond #backgarden #Galway #Ireland

I recorded this earlier today - there are still a small number of tadpoles in the garden wildlife pond , and they look like they have a while to go before they transform into frogs. At least it will help keep the algae in check ! #tadpoles #wildlifepond #Galway #Ireland #biodiversity

Lots of bats hunting over the Eglinton Canal in Galway this morning #bats #Galway #Ireland