|
|
Archive for April, 2010
Friday, April 30th, 2010
22/04/10 Warm, sunny day with a lovely light breeze. Went for a walk in Langden Valley, hoping to see some Redpolls, no luck though other people had spotted them. Saw Oystercatchers mating by river. Lots of Stoneflies out sunning themselves on rocks by river. As the path climbed, started to see a number of Green Hairstreak butterflies and the occasional Green Tiger Beetle darting amongst the heather. Then I saw what looked like the shadow of something else dance across our path and at first thought what on earth is that newt doing. Then I realised it was a dark coloured lizard. We saw at least 3 more of variable size and colour - one being almost golden with a stripe down its back. We then had an evening walk along the river in Dunsop Bridge and spotted Willow Warblers singing on the gorse and watched a Kestrel get mobbed by Crows.  Stonefly  Green Hairstreak butterfly  Green Tiger Beetle 25/04/10 Driving past Cross o' Greets, saw a male Hen Harrier hunting, surprised by the size of the pink tag on his wing, (no.18). There was a family of Greylag geese nearby and I wondered if the Hen Harrier would take one of their chicks. The six chicks were exactly the same greeny yellow as patches of moss and were only visible when their parents started to lead them away up the slope.  Hen Harrier  Greylag geese Posted in Elizabeth Mills | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
 Just received the photos of the GTBS awards. It took place two weeks ago at Salmesbury Hall and was a really nice event. Salmesbury Hall is well worth a visit as its a most beautiful building with lots of history and there's a really unusual craft/gift shop. They also serve great food and scrummy home made cakes.Sharon, the manager is 2nd from the left in the group picture.  Victoria and John in the centre are from Martin Mere, they won a Gold award. We now have an arrangement with Martin Mere. They allow our guests in at a reduced entry fee and I give WWT members a 5% discount on their stay with us. Its working really well already.
Posted in Martin Lane Farmhouse | Comments Off
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
Spotted on Monday 26th April between 6 and 7 pm.
Lapwing 74 + including 3 + broods of chicks, Redshank 6, Curlew 5, Snipe 1, Skylark 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Reed Bumting 1, Oystercatcher 1, Buzzard 1, Stoat 1, Brown Hare 10.
Thank you to Gavin Thomas, RSPB, for noting these sightings in our nature diary.
Posted in Caldertop Cottage | Comments Off
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
  The eggs in the nest close to the bird hide have hatched and there are now 4 lapwing chicks in the field.
Posted in Caldertop Cottage | Comments Off
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
Posted in Caldertop Cottage | Comments Off
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
Posted in Caldertop Cottage | Comments Off
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
Thank you to Danielle Freaney for this image.
Posted in Caldertop Cottage | Comments Off
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
9 lapwings spotted from the bird hide by Melissa, Ruby and Charlotte
Posted in Caldertop Cottage | Comments Off
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
Think foxy roxy must have moved home! The geese were ganging up and attacking another one, (now called 'Gozzy') so we had to spilt them up. Gozzy now roams free around the farmyard and is still alive to tell the tale so foxy roxy can't still be around. Milly isn't quite sure what to make of Gozzy. She runs towards him then, as soon as Gozzy flaps his wings and hisses at her she skids to a halt. Then its like a 'mexican stand off'......neither will lose face and turn away so they both stand there looking at each other menacingly, at least as menecing as a 15 week old puppy can look!! Beautiful day today, sun cracking the flags so should be able to get some work done to the nature walk we are trying to establish.
Posted in Martin Lane Farmhouse | Comments Off
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
Forest of Bowland AONB websiteSeen a Dotterel (male) among a flock of about 35 Golden Plover on pasture near Abbeystead about 6.00pm Thursday 22nd. They pass through Bowland on migration but usually in early May, so this one is ahead of the game! Mike Pugh
Posted in Forest of Bowland AONB | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Forest of Bowland AONB websitePlain view of a hooded crow beside the road near Jubliee Tower. Not totally unknown but rare in England; they are quite common in Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. Maybe this one fancied a quick trip across Morecambe Bay? Mike Pugh (on the way to the rowing club 18 April 9.00am)
Posted in Forest of Bowland AONB | Comments Off
Monday, April 19th, 2010
Our Forest of Bowland Holiday Cottages Over the weekend we had the third annual stay of the Haiku Group. On one of their walks they heard a group of aggravated oyster catchers, as they looked to see what was bothering them they had a very good view of an osprey flying over. We have never seen one but they tell me that it would be migrating back to the north. Another family staying had a lovely surprise, spotting two very young leverets sitting very still in a clump of rush. It's good to have the first of the swallows back and the bats out feeding in the evenings. htpp://www.bleasdalecottages.co.ok
Posted in Bleasdale Cottages | Comments Off
Monday, April 19th, 2010
  Our Forest of Bowland Holiday Cottages While checking the e- mails this morning we sighted a stoat through the window. Robert managed to get these pictures as it left the garden with it's catch, a young rabbit. htpp://www.bleasdalecottages.co.uk
Posted in Bleasdale Cottages | Comments Off
Monday, April 19th, 2010
 Whilst in the bird hide watching the lapwings and redshanks we saw our first swallow of 2010.
There are at least 17 lapwing nests on the bird hide field, we think.
Posted in Caldertop Cottage | Comments Off
Sunday, April 18th, 2010
Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast Two of our guests who stayed last night went for a walk up "Weets", which is the closest of Lancashire's 3 peaks to Foxhill Barn and joins the Pendle Way up to its summit. They told us how impressive the views are, and were delighted to see a pair of plover flying around close by.
Posted in Foxhill Barn | Comments Off
|
