I'm Building A Wildlife Homestead! (First Steps)
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- The big move is finally complete, and it's time for me to start one of my first projects - building a hide! My goal is to make the land around the house a haven for wildlife, with a real focus on wildlife conservation and restoring local habitats for our most important species.
From the front room I've been observing the plethora of small birds that abound in the front garden. This has been formally planted so it needs re-landscaping. Out will go the formal plants and were going to plant some native trees. I'm also going to build a small permanent hide to take advantage of the bird species available and we need to look at positioning and what were going to build it out of.
Join me as we get stuck in and get going with what is going to be a busy first year in our new home in Wales!!
Check out my channel here:
/ @simoneardley
Check out my online shop for wildlife photography and bushcraft accessories -
www.etsy.com/u...
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No idea why UA-cam hasn't been recommending this to me. At least I've now got 3 to watch today whilst working from home. Excited to see what you achieve!
Thanks for watching !!👍🏼
@@simoneardley been a great series to catch up on! The house and lands look great. Would have preferred you in Scotland, then could have organised trips!
Fantastic stuff Si, can't wait to see how it develops 🙂👍
Atb Rick n Billydog
Cheers Rick 👍🏼
Briliant Simon,put a platform under your small bird feeders, catches feed dropped from feeders,
You mentioned about in your last video your grey squirrels and being not being too happy about them,well this is the reason I found you couple of weeks ago after you came up on a search for shooting hides,I have 10 owl/ kestrel nest boxes,pumping out chicks every year,but the grey squirrels are using them to breed in,my worry is now predation from the greys of the rare and endangered birds,hence my search for shooting hides, I've just bought an air rifle and now built a squirrel feeding station to cull the greys,I trapped and culled them 7 years ago but they are in every box apart from the one box the barn owl are in this winter,so I'm giving you a heads up not to let the greys undermine you wild life adventure,
Agree with you 100% I live and work in the country and spend a fortune on sun flower hearts fat balls meal worms day old chicks even stocking the pond with stickle backs for the king fishers, grey squirrels and rats will ruin your wild life projects, the miss informed that don't understand the impact on our wild life that these two mammals have on our wild life, should come and work in the countryside and see for themselves, nature's a very cruel thing, invasive species makes it even crueller, I'm with you on dispatching the greys and rats you will save countless young nestlings and birds eggs that would otherwise be predated by these rodents
Super stuff fairplay to you leaving that fire to head out even the dog had the oh no look on him 😀
Haha, theres too many jobs to get on with to let the weather stop me Pat!!🤣
Simon i dont think you need your satellite dish up on the chimney, doesnt look like trees in the way, enjoying your videos..... Ian
Its coming down as soon as I get a roof ladder!!! Eyesore👀🤣
I am so jealous Simon
Only just found your video Simon and its great me old mate, lovely house, plenty of wild life, wood burning stove, i have a similar thing going on but only rent my house off the estate i work on, get yourself some swann security cameras it will make youre evenings watching stuff from your armchair we feed the badgers and owls at night, Kites and Buzards during the day, you have some great ideas and the video is well put together well done very envious of you, ive found the birds that empty our feeders the quickest are Gold finches, i think they spend most of the time feeding the birds on the ground below them, lovely to watch though
Thanks for the compliments, my feeder emptiers are the Nuthatches. They throw it everywhere!!🤣I'll check out those cameras 👊🏼👀
Cheers Simon, good stash of wood that, nicely sorted. Feeding birds costs me a fortune in winter especially when a flock of starlings turn up and clean up in about half an hour. Worth it though. All the best. 👍📷😎
Cheers Rob, the Nuthatch is the main feeder destroyer at the moment. Messy eaters🤣🤣
Hiya Simon, bring it on and keep 'em coming. This is the stuff of hopes and dreams, well done.
Cheers Norm 👍🏼
Looking good..👍
Thanks for showing us the before of these projects, then when we see the final images that you capture we can see the steps taken to getting them.
Looking forward to the next one :-)
Thanks Tom 👍🏼📷
Roll on the series Simon 🙌 🛶📸👌👍
Thanks Martin 👍🏼
Interested to see this develop, what a great project for any nature geek
Looking forward to showing you the progress 👍🏼👌🏼
Very interested video Simon look forward to seeing the next one
Looks like you have a great place to live Simon and ideal for what you do looking forward to seeing your future video just been out with your Rick up in the scottish borders for 3 days amazing place be a great location for your photography atvb Jimmy 😎😎👍👍
Nice one Jimmy, watched the film last night. A great little mission. You've got a big old playground up there. Stay safe, atb. Si👍🏼🔥
Hey Simon, the property and the house look fantastic! How about your workshop for your Etsy store?
It will be great watching your progress and projects. Greg
Thanks Greg, its another job on a big list!!🤣🤣
Hi Simon.really excited for you .looking forward to seeing your future projects.Well done.
Simon, I wish I had some of your energy so I could work on my own feeders. I had 7 or 8 feeders in my back yards and did a lot of photography of different kinds of birds and animals there. But somewhere along the way something happened and I got old. Now I can't tend all of those feeders and I just have one main feeder at the corner of my back porch. I can walk outside and tend it without getting out in the weather and not having to go up and down the steps. I'm still getting some good staged pictures at that feeder, though. This is one of the reasons I'm looking forward so much to the development of your "bird farm". I want to follow along and watch you create a Shang-ri-La for your birds and your bird photography. Wishing you all the best in it's development.
Hi Clifton, it comes to us all I'm afraid. Youve just gotta keep going and doing your little bit mate. Just think of all those broods that youve helped over the years. Thanks for supporting the channel. All the best, Si 📷👊🏼👍🏼
Looks excellent Simon love the stove good luck mate 👌your a real grafter 👏👏
Oh Simon, I'm so envious right now. What you've got there is my dream. Really looking forward to watching it evolve. PS, music too loud, can't hear what you're saying.😉
Thanks Dawn, yeh sorry about that. Editing error 🙄🙄Cheers for watching 👀 👍🏼
Looks beautiful uncle Si. Can't wait to see what you do with the place.
Dan
Cheers Dan 👍🏼
Nice work mate, can't wait to see it develop into an even more amazing place! You'll make it perfect and the wildlife will love you for it. Cheers Rich 👊
Thanks Rich, it'll take a while but its gonna be great fun rewilding the place. Cant wait to see what arrives in the Summer. ATB, Si 👍🏼👊🏼
Really enjoying them. Keep them coming
Glad you like them!
finally got the house all be it in Wales all the best mate great video
Cheers Terry, thanks for watching 👀👍🏼
Down at the bottom of the stream , Maybe a small pond ?
The Double blind sounds terrific Idea so much potential Hope to grow with you bud,The Yorkshire Man just a follower,Waiting for next Clip.
Cheers Geoff, yeh thought that myself. Lots of decisions to make in the coming months. Thanks for watching👍🏼
Looking forward to these videos, it's actually a vital part of wildlife photography when you have the space to do it.
Cheers John 👍🏼
Hi si a bit moist mate but cracking on great to see the start will take time and a lot of work looking forward to seeing the next instalment Laurence.
Cheers Laurence 👍🏼
Nice place!
Thanks very much 👍🏼
Simon wondered why you were so quiet!! Great to see you’ve finally moved 😊
Will you be setting up any watch hides for some income ££! If you do I will bring some tools lol 👍
Hopefully that'll be the plan in the near future once theyre established 👍🏼
amazing to see wat you have in mind for the channel, not sure if you have realised, the music drowns out what you're saying..
Thanks, yeh sorry only realised after I'd downloaded the film!!🙄🙄
What a fantastic property! You must be buzzing for all the projects you can plan. Looking forward to seeing your progress. Good luck with it all.
Thanks Samantha 👍🏼
As always Simon a great video. Looking forward to seeing the development of your project. One tiny moan, can you turn the volume of the music down a tad, I couldn't hear some of what you were saying a couple of times.
Sorry Vanessa, an editing mistake I only noticed after I'd posted the film!!🫣🫣
Thanks Simon, nice to know you read comments and reply. We shall be in Powys in June and will keep an eye out for you.
@@simoneardley
it's going to be an interesting journey! Thanks for sharing your story from day 1.
Thanks for watching Geoff 👍🏼
Bloody hell Simon never seen a bloke look as happy as you do now totally in your element can't wait to see the progression of your hides and what will be some cracking photography to come keep em coming 👍👍from someone in Lancashire
Nice one Andy, looking forward to bringing you the updates
Just been put on to your channel by a friend . Subscribed and will be following . My dream is one day I can do something similar . At 64 I had better get my skates on .
Its never too late!! Make it happen my friend. Thanks for the sub 👍🏼👊🏼
It looks like you have found your own little nirvana, Simon. Do you reckon you will possibly have Kingies on the stream? I can imagine that you will be considering a lot of projects in mind. Best of luck to you. You're living the dream, bud.
Thanks Alistair, no Kingfishers I'm afraid. Its not that type of stream really. Possible chance of Otters using it though!!🤞🏼👍🏼
Brew & a fig you've earned it. Looking fwd to how it pans out.
The Woodlands Trust makes specific recommendations with relation to planting trees such as,
Wild Cherry "Flowering, fruiting and regeneration will be optimised in more dynamic, open wooded habitats, but can establish as a minor component of young groves, and as open grown trees in glades, but only on sheltered sites. Not tolerant of exposure"
Hope that helps.
I don't know about you Simon but even my mind goes into overdrive looking at your little wildlife reserve, there must be a future plan for a wildlife pond / large reflection pool. There are people going to loose sleep watching this project developing 😂, all the best as always, Mike E...
Haha, I'm losing sleep myself. Lots of ideas, need to see what species are about first before I make any big decisions. Thanks for following the channel Mike 👊🏼
We have an acre field attached to our garden, which then backs onto farmland. At the moment we daren’t venture outside without a thumb stick, it’s so slippery. I buy bird food by the 12kg bag, the feeders get a hammering, but the mess does attract the rats, that’s life I’m afraid. We get Red Kite, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk regularly, as well as Tawny Owl in the evening.
I’ve got 200 native hedging plants to go plant in the next week or two, having space is great but there’s always something needed to be done.
Aye youre not wrong there. Sounds like you have a great place. They dont half go through the seed though!!
Great to catch up with progress Simon. You should be well used to the skanky Welsh weather coming from Lancashire.😊 Keep up the good work! Looking forward to the next installment.
Cheers John, when you calling for a brew?😃
I think we can tell you maybe a little bit excited 😂 Such a great property with a lot of potential for your wildlife photography.. Looking forward to watching it develop 👍
Cheers Smiffy, only a little excited!!🤣👍🏼
The first of many adventures from the new homestead, you'll not want for work outside!
Not wrong there Aynsley !!🤣
Always wanted this lifestyle from a youngster never quite achieved it but feel the next best thing to it is watching someone else getting the opportunity. Wishing you all the best in your exciting venture Simon. 👍
Thanks Glenn, lots of graft but hopefully the rewards will come.👍🏼
I love your new place. What a beautiful location. Richard Hutchings.
Not bad is it Richard, thanks for watching 👀👍🏼
Can't wait for your hides,to get up and running, won't be long with your work ethics, kingfisher I hope, mike
Here's hoping Mike, it's going to be interesting to see what we get in. Saw a Green Woodpecker the other day. Need to get those trail cams down.👀👀👍🏼📸
Hi Simon, Congratulations on your fantastic new home, very envious mate, would you consider renting out your hides when they are established? Are you now retired? if so could be a good bit of extra income!🤔😃
Thanks Grant, its possibly on the cards in the future!!
Hard Slog Ahead Simon But You'll Get There Be Class Once All The Hard Work Has paid Off
Cheers Sonny👊🏼
Great video Simon 👍.
We can see the excitement in you 😀.
Enjoy every minute of it and the rewards will come.
The potential and opportunities at your new place Simon - are endless I reckon. Good for you mate.
Thanks Wayne 👍🏼
Glad to see you’ve still got the 2 dogs Simon, they must think they’ve died and gone to dog heaven living there! Really looking forward to seeing you progress with the site. Best of look with it all, you’re going to be a busy boy 👍
They love it mate, thanks for watching 📷👀👍🏼
Mate, I don't often get envious, but wow, what a journey you are going on. I'm really looking forward to going on this journey with you. It's going to be incredible.
Thanks Stevie 👍🏼
One step at a time Simon, it will all take shape soon and can't wait to see the final project ..
Thanks Ray, yeh it wont happen overnight 👍🏼
First project of many Simon. Thanks for sharing the journey and really looking forward to seeing the development. So much potential with your new home and I'm glad it's not just me that spends fortune on bird food. All the best.
Cheers Phil, I think I need to find a seed sponsor!!🤣🤣
Looks like you’re having fun
Great video
Great video looking forward to more we in wales for 2 weeks and had red kites coming down in the field looking for food it a amazing place
Nice one Terry, beautiful birds !!👌🏼
Can't wait to see Ur new videos simon on Ur new land
Cheers Allan
What a great start looking forward to seeing how you develop it. Well jealous of that wood pile
Cheers Mike, yeh it'll be a good start to help build any hides !!
Hi Simon, its beautiful there and what you have said and shown us, we all look forward to seeing many many more great vids and images. All the best to you. Can't wait for next instalment. :)
Absolutely, thanks for following the channel 👍🏼🎥
i'm excited for you and future videos. You should probably do a permeant hide like Mortin Hilmer
Good shout John👍🏼
Love watching your vlogs, Simon, I'll enjoy following your projects and ideas 😁 keep up the great work 👍🏻
Nice one Lee 👊🏼
Another great video fella you are so lucky what an amazing place to be living good luck to you and the family looking forward to seeing all your progress and adventures 👍
Thanks Chris, looking forward to bringing you some progress in the upcoming films 👍🏼
My big problem with bird feeders was rats they wouldeat more then the birds I had to give up feeding the birds as I had rats nesting in the gardan hedge :(
Yeh Peter, always a problem. I'm going to try catching the seed before it gets on the ground. It may help with any potential rodent problems.
Awesome mate… always love listening that lanky twang here in Belgium… a link to my past in Wigan. Looking forward to watching you develop such an amazing place 👌
My place of abode for 54yrs. You probably wouldn't recognise the place now.
You can take the boy out of Lancashire..........🤣
Fantastic video, best of luck in your new home and wildlife adventure Simon
Cheers Mick
Nice 1 si,look fwd to seeing it all developing,good job getting that timber up.
Yeh, it was going to get knackered sat on the floor. Its drying nicely now 🔥👍🏼
Hey Simon , great to see you back mate. I’m really looking forward to seeing how you develop your new environment and I have to ow n up to the fact that I am just a little bit jealous of your new place - it looks awesome. Best wishes from the Ribble Valley.
Thanks David, aye I think we've found a little gem down here 👍🏼📷
Wow looks amazing new home!!!!!!!
great video
Fantastic video, All I can say is can you work faster and get the videos out sooner lol, Eager to share in your exploits and it's all over in 20mins .
Have you though about harnessing the power of that stream ? Maybe a little water wheel or screw fitted up to a battery storage unit.
Stay warm and safe.
Haha, thanks Michael. I'll try my best. The hydro generator has crossed my mind, i'll put it on my list.
Hi, enjoying your films, wondering how the Savotta is working out? Are you doing a review now that your had it for while now?
Thanks Hugh, its a fantastic bag. Second to none build quality wise. Ive not used it too much to be honest because the intention was to use it on multi day trips. With the house move they havent happened but hopefully that'll change now weve finally relocated. 👍🏼
Nice start Simon
Thanks for watching 👀👍🏼
This is awesome, can’t wait to see all the progress! Just found your channel so just in time for this new adventure by the sounds of it! Good luck and I’m looking forward to it!
Cheers Spencer, its going to be an interesting journey.
It certainly will be, good luck with everything you do!
Afternoon Simon mate
How do John👍🏼
What part of Wales are you in Simon
Between Oswestry and Welshpool David
Hi Simon can’t wait to see your future project. How long did it take you get a Buzzard in your garden
Had them down on the first day 👍🏼
@@simoneardley
Wow must be fantastic to watch them all day mate
Part 2 says private?
Should be right now Chris
Hi Simon
What fatballs do you use.
Nothing special Shane, just generic ones from the local feed merchants
👍👍⛺️⛺️👍👍
Really sorry about the long message.🫣