Country diary : Nesting mallard, owl and woodcock in our garden – this is the ‘human shield’ (…)

Allendale, Northumberland: Once again, wildlife has made a home here, in part because they feel safe A big moon is cresting the Scots pine as I sit at an upstairs window looking down on to the garden. Awaiting the dusk emergence of a female tawny owl has become an evening ritual. After a day (…)