Saturday 28th January, 2011
Barn Owl sighted flying out of our barn - wonder if they are thinking of nesting again - if so, I hope they manage to raise their young this time.
Last two days have been glorious with blue skies and wonderful sunsets although it's been cold and the water has frozen up again in the farm buildings. The starlings have been a wonderful sight coming in to roost and the nights are beginning to draw out.
Our hens are beginning to lay very well with beautiful eggs and our new Cockerel, Rocky II, has settled in well with my girls. He is a magnificent bird. They are so funny to watch roaming round in our orchard where the Snowdrops are just beginning to come out. Spring is on its way at last after the hard winter we have just had.
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Friday, 7 January 2011
AUGUST 2010
Hedgehog poo found on caravan site - nice to think they are down there somewhere.
Sadly the Barn Owls didn't make it again - hopefully they will nest again and it will be 3rd time lucky.
SEPTEMBER 2010
Kingfisher seen with fish in its bill at Public Hide.
OCTOBER 2010
Stags rutting already and making a great deal of noise lasting well into the night - pawing marks seen in the fields. Early Oct. Red Deer Stags seen in fields at 7.30 a.m.
Bearded Tits seen on Grit Trays on main causeway - deer still rutting at end Oct.
Great Spotted Woodpecker seen on feeding stn. outside dining room window also long tailed tits.
NOVEMBER 2010
Heron seen catching a large fish at Lower hide.
Autumn colours spectacular this Autumn due to the warm weather in June I expect.
Waxwings seen on edge of Golf course near to Leighton Moss.
The Starling Roosts have been spectacular this year with their aerobatic displays being captivating to watch. Also sighted a Sparrowhawk in flight after an early supper!
End of November we encountered our first snowfall and the weather turned very cold.
DECEMBER 2010
Weather continued very cold with more snow - problems on the farm with frozen pipes and bursts. Not pleasant working in sub-zero temperatures all day. Having to ration central heating oil as don't know if we will be able to get a delivery before Christmas! Luckily it came the day before Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day - no water outside - only water in farmhouse cellar - all water to be carried outside to water livestock.
Late Dec. a pair of Jays seen visiting the bird feeder. What beautiful birds.
JANUARY 2011
Here we are at the start of another New Year. The Wood Peckers are already drumming in the woods. I saw my first Goldfinch on the feeder that I have seen for many months feasting on the niger seeds. The Snowdrops are through in the orchard and it's been snowing again but it has not stuck.
Well, I'm up to date now and ready to welcome the happenings of nature that this New Year has to offer although I hope we have seen the end to the snow!
Hedgehog poo found on caravan site - nice to think they are down there somewhere.
Sadly the Barn Owls didn't make it again - hopefully they will nest again and it will be 3rd time lucky.
SEPTEMBER 2010
Kingfisher seen with fish in its bill at Public Hide.
OCTOBER 2010
Stags rutting already and making a great deal of noise lasting well into the night - pawing marks seen in the fields. Early Oct. Red Deer Stags seen in fields at 7.30 a.m.
Bearded Tits seen on Grit Trays on main causeway - deer still rutting at end Oct.
Great Spotted Woodpecker seen on feeding stn. outside dining room window also long tailed tits.
NOVEMBER 2010
Heron seen catching a large fish at Lower hide.
Autumn colours spectacular this Autumn due to the warm weather in June I expect.
Waxwings seen on edge of Golf course near to Leighton Moss.
The Starling Roosts have been spectacular this year with their aerobatic displays being captivating to watch. Also sighted a Sparrowhawk in flight after an early supper!
End of November we encountered our first snowfall and the weather turned very cold.
DECEMBER 2010
Weather continued very cold with more snow - problems on the farm with frozen pipes and bursts. Not pleasant working in sub-zero temperatures all day. Having to ration central heating oil as don't know if we will be able to get a delivery before Christmas! Luckily it came the day before Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day - no water outside - only water in farmhouse cellar - all water to be carried outside to water livestock.
Late Dec. a pair of Jays seen visiting the bird feeder. What beautiful birds.
JANUARY 2011
Here we are at the start of another New Year. The Wood Peckers are already drumming in the woods. I saw my first Goldfinch on the feeder that I have seen for many months feasting on the niger seeds. The Snowdrops are through in the orchard and it's been snowing again but it has not stuck.
Well, I'm up to date now and ready to welcome the happenings of nature that this New Year has to offer although I hope we have seen the end to the snow!
PLAYING CATCH UP AGAIN!
Rest of June 2010 Sightings
Five Little Egret seen from Lower Hide at Dusk. Woodcock seen on edge of Reserve, just below Farm.
Peregrine showing well at Warton Crag.
Red-Hellibourine close to flowering on Arnside Knot.
Commom Shrew noted at Gait Barrows.
Three Otter seen playing in the water at dusk near Lower hide.
Red Stag seen below the farmhouse in field down to the Moss.
Many froglets seen on the path and young Coots on the mere.
The weather has been hot and sunny this month and the farm needs rain as everywhere is looking burnt.
JULY 2010
6th July - Lower hide 7.30 a.m. - 2 Otter seen swimming and playing in front of hide. Also Marsh Harriers present.
Gait Barrows NNR - High Brown Fritillaries seen flying, Grayling, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Blue tailed Damselfly and Common Darter.
Warton Crag - Adult female Peregrine and 2 fledged young seen.
7th July - Beautiful Red hind seen drinking in the Moss up to its belly in water - seen from main dyke bridge - not many water holes in woods as these will be dried up due to the hot weather and lack of rainfall.
24th July - Osprey seen on dead tree on Moss eating fish.
28th July Rocky the baby Rooster arrived to look after my girls.
Young stoat seen on causeway in early afternoon. Evening - otter seen fishing on far side of pool at Lower Hide plus roost of 15+ egrets in large dead tree seen from Lower Hide.
29th July - Osprey seen flying over Moss and several deer seen grazing in field alongside path to Lower hide in the early evening.
30th July - FOX STRIKE in the Hen enclosure - 8 of my lovely girls killed including my favourite hen Maria. Mr. or Mrs. Fox had pushed in under the gate like a limbo dancer to do their worst.
The carnage was heartbreaking and the survivors were absolutely traumatised. My poor girls.
Rest of June 2010 Sightings
Five Little Egret seen from Lower Hide at Dusk. Woodcock seen on edge of Reserve, just below Farm.
Peregrine showing well at Warton Crag.
Red-Hellibourine close to flowering on Arnside Knot.
Commom Shrew noted at Gait Barrows.
Three Otter seen playing in the water at dusk near Lower hide.
Red Stag seen below the farmhouse in field down to the Moss.
Many froglets seen on the path and young Coots on the mere.
The weather has been hot and sunny this month and the farm needs rain as everywhere is looking burnt.
JULY 2010
6th July - Lower hide 7.30 a.m. - 2 Otter seen swimming and playing in front of hide. Also Marsh Harriers present.
Gait Barrows NNR - High Brown Fritillaries seen flying, Grayling, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Blue tailed Damselfly and Common Darter.
Warton Crag - Adult female Peregrine and 2 fledged young seen.
7th July - Beautiful Red hind seen drinking in the Moss up to its belly in water - seen from main dyke bridge - not many water holes in woods as these will be dried up due to the hot weather and lack of rainfall.
24th July - Osprey seen on dead tree on Moss eating fish.
28th July Rocky the baby Rooster arrived to look after my girls.
Young stoat seen on causeway in early afternoon. Evening - otter seen fishing on far side of pool at Lower Hide plus roost of 15+ egrets in large dead tree seen from Lower Hide.
29th July - Osprey seen flying over Moss and several deer seen grazing in field alongside path to Lower hide in the early evening.
30th July - FOX STRIKE in the Hen enclosure - 8 of my lovely girls killed including my favourite hen Maria. Mr. or Mrs. Fox had pushed in under the gate like a limbo dancer to do their worst.
The carnage was heartbreaking and the survivors were absolutely traumatised. My poor girls.
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