Am I the luckiest member?

[muddy]

As an Angler ( YES AN ANGLER !!!!!) I am also a keen wildlife watcher, there is nothing like sitting by the river watching the wildlife. But I thought I'd tell you a bit about my company office, set in private land on the outskirts of London.
The wild life around us there is amazing. Birdlife of all sorts including nesting Buzzards and last year a pair of Red Kites, which help to keep the flock of Green Parakeets in check. Earlier in the year we had Great Woodpeckers nesting in the tree outside my window, their hammering while nest building was so loud we had to keep the windows shut 'cos we couldnt hear the phone.
Rabbits and grey squirrels scurry around outside the office, and a fox comes to my office door most evenings for a chocolate biscuit or two.
Grey Squirrels abound the area and there is possibility of introducing Red squirrels to the land.
We are currently building a badger set to compliment the existing badger community we have there.
Red deer were going to be introduced on the land but the costs of protecting the 400 year old gardens outweighed the prospect. ( escaping sheep from the farm next door cause enough problems.). We get the occaisonal "wild" deer passing through tho.
We also have a stretch of river running through the ground and although badly affected by the drought of 1976 it is recovering with help. Our stretch has a few chub, pike, carp and the occaisional stray trout. The river is managed by our small group of anglers who, although do not fish it advise the caretaker as to its management. A restocking program is being planned as the fish stocks are still very low. (we had a visit from a Cormorant last year, which set us back a bit) !!
We also have some unusual spiders yet to be properly identified but believed to be a type of cave spider. (They can stay in the caves tho!).
I dont think anyone could ask for a more idyllic setting to work in.

[juliejam]

Hi ther Muddy..Welcome to WAB..sound a great place to work in ..Looking forward to seeing some pic's and posts very soon..Have fun ..

Julie

[buzfuz8149]

Hi Muddy,

a warm welcome to WAB, yes I think you must be very lucky, sounds perfect - looking forward to your posts and photos.

Carol.

[goosey]

Hi Muddy - great first post! Not everyone is as lucky as you to work in such an environment - or live in one for that fact . Welcome to WAB, with all that is going on around you, you should have lots to contribute - I look forward to your posts .

[stirling]

Hi and welcome from me.
Best from mike.

[ron1863]

Hi Muddy from another ex angler. Fishing is a wonderful way to observe wildlife, I spent many a happy day at the river or loch and it didn't matter if I caught nothing as there was always something interesting to see.

[jdurbo]

Hi Muddy
Hello and welcome to WAB from me

jen xxx

[JP]

Hi and welcome, id be interested to see some Digi pick's of these spiders bud

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Muddy.

[muddy]

re those spiders.

I will see if I can get some pictures. we took a few last year. They habit a sump hole which is under a large steel inspection cover which is bolted to the ground...judging by the size of them it was bolted to keep them in.

basically they are similar to cave spiders large reddish colour with the back markings as per pics of cave spiders but with smooth black shiny legs.