JANUARY 4th 2010

It's been rather a long time since I updated my blog but running a B&B, Caravan Site and all the seasonal happenings on a farm just don't give me a great deal of spare time! However, I will endeavour to to give you a summary of all that has taken place over the last 6 months from the records in my FLORA and FAUNA journal made by my numerous B&B guests, and personal sighting.

MAY 09 - This has to be my favourite month of the year at Grisedale. Everything in the countryside is just so beautiful and fresh accompanied by wonderful bird song with the Bittern booming on Leighton Moss. Marsh Harriers, Marsh Tit, Mallard with young, Avocet on Eggs, Chiff Chaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Spotted Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, Ravens, Little Egrit, Spoonbill, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Barn Owls to name but a few, have all be sighted in the near vicinity of our Farm.

Unfortunately, the nesting Barn Owls abandoned their nest and eggs due, we think, to a spell of inclement weather. However, the result of inspection of their castings revealed that they had been eating Starlings, which are a pleantiful food supply being so close to Leighton Moss.

JUNE 09 - Brimstone, Tortoiseshell and Peacock Butterflies were all spotted by our eagle-eyed guests. We managed to harvest our first crop of Silage during the middle of this month as we had a spell of warmer, drier weather. This will go to feed our livestock during the winter months as they are usually kept inside for about 7 months of the year.