BARN OWLS

Met Jim Brown, the resident Faulkener at Leighton Hall, outside our house who had just picked up some BARN OWL castings from our Dutch Barn where we believe there are a pair nesting. He was taking them home to do some research into what they had been eating as he said they were quite unusual in their shape. He will email me with the results so keep reading the blog for the results.

Jim has developed the Hawk Garden at Leighton Hall where you can experience his BIRDS FLYING, go on a HAWK WALK, have an OWL EXPERIENCE or an AVIAN ALCHEMY and he even offers an OWL ROADSHOW! You can contact Jim on 07990 698451 for details.

Thursday 23rd April 09

Attended GREEN BUSINESS AWARDS Forum at Hornby, which is in the Forest of Bowland AONB, near Lancaster, where I received my SILVER AWARD for the green tourism scheme which I was delighted to be awarded. Also met other members and talked to Colin Newsham, from Forest Hills Centre, near Lancaster University, who has, and is developing, an amazing Green Tourism venture, about BEES as I am very interested in perhaps keeping them.

Tuesday 28th April 09

Must just mention that we had an EARTHQUAKE measuring 3.7 - It was the largest we have had in about 40 years! It was terrifing - the whole house shook for what seemed an eternity and the noise was incredible.

Saturday 25th April 2009

3.30 pm Just had first heavy rain shower that we have had in about 3 weeks. Very welcome as everywhere is so dry and in need of some rain! The bluebells are now almost all fully out and look an absolute picture in the woods. My favourite 2 cowslips are now fully out in the hedgerow at the top of Big Seeds field. They were a long way behind others on the farm that I thought we had lost them.

One of my B&B ladies was sat in bed yesterday morning and she saw the Barn Owl fly by also spied the Marsh Harrier over Leighton Moss. I have just seen Green Finch on the bird feeder and Siskin. It is really lovely at the moment with the trees bursting into leaf although, as usual, the Ask and the Oak look miles behind.

The 3 farm kittens are becoming very mischievous and we have been able to ascertain that one is female so she it to be called Millie and has a lovely family waiting to adopt her.

EASTER SUNDAY 12th April 09

11.30 am Heard the Cookcoo calling in Deepdale woods. Beautiful, warm sunny day with hardly a cloud in the sky. The 3 tabby and white kittens have now got their eyes open. 2 Marsh Harriers seen soaring over the causeway on Leighton Moss. Two Barn Owls seen flying out of Dutch Barn around dusk. 5 Red Deer seen ambling across bottom field towards Grisedale woods. What a wonderful day!

31st MARCH 09

Robin sighted nesting in barn wall. Must be feeding young as seen with large worm in beak. Our farm cat, Meg has produced 3 lovely tabby and white kittens yesterday. She is very proud of herself.

30th MARCH 09

SWALLOWS HAVE ARRIVED! These are about 2 weeks earlier than last year but a wonderful sight.

29th MARCH 09

First House Martins seen flying over Farm. Daffodils in full bloom. Violets, Daisies, Colts Foot and Primroses are out. Leaves on Horse Chestnut Trees just beginning to unfold.