For many years I have been rising at dawn two mornings a week in spring and early summer to look out for birds, roe deer and other wildlife. This week I was thrilled to see a dingy skipper butterfly fluttering among some early-blooming heather, and a red squirrel watching me from an old oak tree. I am lucky to live near the coast and a walk on the beach is always rewarding for both myself and the dog.
Driving home along a quiet country road from the beach I met a flock of sheep being driven to new ground by two working collie dogs and a farmer, with a young son and daughter helping him. I frequently see a collie sheepdog, or two, accompanying farmers as they tend to their stock. The old cattle drovers who had to bring their sheep great distances to annual sales depended on their dogs, and both cattle and sheep looked upon them as guides and protectors.
A neighbour told me she had called a farmer in this parish last week when she came upon a flock which had strayed on to the road. He told her that they were not his sheep, but he knew who they belonged to, and opened a gate into a field. He gave orders to his collie dog, which made an impressive job of rounding up the confused sheep and carefully managed to get every one of them through the gate back into their field.
Meanwhile, Northumberland Wildlife Trust tell me they are pleased that the pioneering osprey pair that have bred successfully in this county for the last two years have returned to their nest at Kielder from their African wintering quarters 5,000 miles away. I shall look forward to visiting them but, sadly, I won't be writing about their progress and adventures in the Cheviot hills, on our lovely coast, and in my large garden. I inherited this column from my father, Henry Tegner, 40 years ago, and this is to be my last one. Thank you to all my loyal, and appreciative, readers.