Its been a busy summer, and to top it off we had a fantastic course at Canonteign. The autumn courses are always a firm favourite, especially, because the deer rutt is going at full steam. This course was the first time that the instructors felt confident enough to run the course, and because of this for the first time in seven years I knew I could leave the camp and go on an exciting recce.  It was good to get and about on the tracking course, and after an hour so I could hear some quality buzzing. As a bee keeper and having raided wild bees in the past, I thought I had cracked it, and we would be having wild honey for a meal, but on getting closer, It became evident it was a big wasp nest in the wall. A slow, calm  retreat was mixed with dissappointment.
Whilst setting up for the night excercise Rob and Jerry watched a fox, inside the camp area. It had curled up, and was probably waiting for the camp to settle before having a look around.
The deer rutt speciality was a brilliant success, the students got to spend lots of time practicing their skills, which paid off, whilst they stalked a stag with his females, and fox out and about.
Duncan and Mart did well with their Shadowhawk, shadow excercise and we tested their wide angle vision to the limit
Steve, delivered his usual high standard on the bird dynamics and Marts impressed all who listened to his senses      " fact file" talk.
The mentors worked hard and kept a warming fire going throughout, despite enjoying a night out doing a scouting recce.
Pablo, got some great camera-trap footage