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.

Siskins seen on the bird feeding station from dining room window at breakfast by guests. Also a dozen red deer spotted grazing in the bottom field adjacent to Leighton Moss at 9pm.

MARCH SIGHTINGS

1st March 09

9.45 am Heron Flew over the farm towards Leighton Moss.

6th March 09

Guests were awakened by Woodpeckers drumming. At breakfast, on our bird feeding station, which is outside the dining room window, our guests saw nuthatch, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, goldfinch, great spotted woodpecker and willow tit.

11 pm Barn Owl sighted in the barn perched on beam and Red Deer in the bottom field.

February Sightings

13th February

11 pm ish Barn Owl sighted flying out of the barn with landrover in. Also sighted a few days ago in the evening in the same location.

28th February

Hare seen in the grounds of Leighton Hall. Tawny Owls hooting in the woods. 6 Red Deer in Leighton Park arounf 10 pm.

January Sightings

17th Jan

Snowdrops coming through in the orchard.

21st Jan

Watched 4 red deer (hinds) at 8.15pm jumping over the fence into the bottom meadow.

23rd Jan

Watched Nuthatch on the bird feeder.

http://www.grisedalefarm.co.uk/