Conditions at 12z (1PM BST): Thickness, 567dam, temperature 25C (dewpoint 13C). Wind from the north-northeast, 6 MPH. Today's high, 27C, last night's low 13C. (source: MetO, the 12z GFS and NOAA). As of noon (GMT) today, the UK lay under a large area of high pressure, bringing clear blue skies to Beenham.

I wasn't originally planning to head to Beenham today, but due to a quick change of heart yesterday I left Kent at around ten to eight this morning.

The overnight low here was 10.2C, meaning I had to wipe a fair bit of dew from the car. As I headed westwards the temperature slowly rose under clear blue skies, reaching around 18C by the time I pulled up at the Trust just under two hours later.

The Euros looked on as I pulled up, then I wandered over and said "hi" to them. Once again I was the first to arrive, so I headed down to Duma and Dakota, who'd heard me coming - they were trotting towards me as I rounded their sleeping quarters. After they'd sniffed me a bit I continued on my trek and ended up by Kodiak and Kenai's enclosure.

Kodiak was his usual inquisitive self:

Under clear blue skies I decided it was time to open up the Obs Room - for today I was to be scanning covers of books for the public PC, which is going to have a bibliography of wolf books and videos available for people to browse.

Angela was the first of the others to turn up and the wolves decided to greet her arrival by howling, the sound reverbating around the hazy landscape.

It was while I was rummaging around in the things I'd brought down with me that I realised I'd left the parallel cable behind, so there would be no scanning today - d'oh!

Dominic, Sue and a host of others turned up and we started the traditional cleaning, this time with Kodiak and Kenai's sleeping area. The quarters were thoroughly cleaned out and Kodiak ended up having great fun drinking from the hose - and no, I didn't have my camera with me to capture it.

By the time we'd finished the sun was really beating down, although once I reminded myself it was no stronger than it was in early April it didn't seem to bother me as much - however, I did end up thinking longingly of snow, and seeing wolves loping through it....

As Sue's an assistant handler, it was then decided we'd head into Duma and Dakota's enclosure. I had my camera with me, although this time I didn't get leant on.

The wolves seemed very relaxed today, quite possibly due to the heat. Here's Duma being especially submissive.....

The temperature by now was heading into the mid 20s, but nonetheless the wolves were keen to head out on a training walk around the field nearby. It was when we were all on the concrete kennel area that Duma gave me her traditional lean - I'm still not 100% sure why she does it, but I'd miss it if she stopped.

Duma and Dakota, eager to get out!

Under the blazing sun, we circled the field, with Duma and Dakota having a good sniff around. Kodiak and Kenai were nowhere to be seen, unusually. After we'd looped around it was time for us trainees to take over - and this time I was mindful of the ideal of keeping the lead fully extended for most of the time, trying to anticipate when the wolves would stop in advance of them doing so.

Sue kindly held my camera while I was handling, and snapped this picture of Duma and Angela in the sun:

Meanwhile, Dakota decided she really wanted to investigate the corner of the field, where it adjoins a field with cattle. I was in two minds whether or not to have my picture taken, but in the end decided to go for it - here's Dakota and myself at the corner.

There's a small stream running northeastwards at the northern boundary of the Trust and on hot days like today the wolves are drawn to it like magnets. The two sisters had great fun in the stream, chomping on sticks (or even carrying them for a bit). At times some intricate manoeuvering was needed, as the wolves are much better at wiggling into small areas than myself. Here's a shot of Angela letting me past, as Dakota decided to go on ahead of Duma for once.

In fact - looking at it, I'd say that was idyllic - shady and relatively cool by the stream, with wolves and friendly chatter... I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

On the way back to the enclosure Kenai finally bounded over, but even then she wasn't her normal snarling self with Duma and Dakota - I think it was just too hot for her to fully exert herself.

Once the wolves were put away we had a usually chatting session, then gradually everyone except Sue and myself left. After discussing wolves some more, I was just about to leave when Terasa Palmer appeared - she's the widow of Roger Palmer, founder of the Trust. It turns out that next Sunday I'll be scanning the covers of some of Roger's wolf books; unsurprisingly he had a large collection.

I then left for the long drive home, with the setting sun lending an orangey hue to things. By the time I pulled up the temperature had fallen to 17C with a brisk easterly.

Dusk over the Kentish countryside - view to the NW, 1825z

Back to the index