Usually, the end of August is a lovely time of year with crisp mornings and amazing sunsets. It's not quite so lovely this year - as I write this my feet are freezing and we are considering a little fire tonight! It is palpable that the days are beginning to shorten and that autumn is on its way.
We have been busy on the farm cultivating our rapeseed volunteers. We have just invested in a new Kockerling cultivator and Merv has been hard at work.
Well I have been holding off for some good news to share with you all, but alas, it seems to be in short supply at the moment. Harvest 2023 thus far, has been tricky. We do, however, have a bumper crop of mushrooms growing in the paddock and garden! But for the other crops, harvest has been challenging. Earlier on in July, we cut our oil seed rape, which did look fantastic but the yield was disappointing.
Bird profile - Turtle Dove
Turtle Doves are Summer visitors to the UK, and are ecologically unique by being Europe’s only long distance migratory dove. They spend just a third of the year on their breeding grounds in Europe and the Winter on their non-breeding grounds in sub-Saharan West Africa. In Europe, they are mostly found on farmland where they nest in thick scrub and feed on bare ground, enjoying the seeds of wildflowers.
Would you like to know how to attract birds to your garden? Perhaps your garden has been looking a little lifeless and in need of some feathered friends? Wild birds are appreciative of food, water, and space to shelter - particularly if you live in a built-up residential area where greenery is sparse.
That's why we want to inspire you to turn your garden into a haven for birds - the addition of just a few simple features can make all the difference!
Bird Profile - House Sparrow
House sparrows (Passer domesticus) are small passerine birds that belong to the sparrow family. They are native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa but have been introduced in North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand!
Bird Profile - Wren
Wrens are small, often colorful, songbirds belonging to the family Troglodytidae. They are known for their energetic nature, and their beautiful songs!
Bird Profile - Nuthatch
Nuthatches are small passerine birds belonging to the family Sittidae. They are known for climbing down tree trunks headfirst! They have very strong toes! Sometimes they are nicknamed the upside down bird! Nuthatches are beloved among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts for their interesting behavior and charming appearance. Observing their acrobatic climbing and listening to their distinctive calls can be a delightful experience in nature.
Frogs are essential components of ecosystems, providing ecological services and serving as indicators of environmental health. Protecting their habitats and conserving their populations is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and a balanced ecosystem.
A great way to help frogs and toads is by offering them a home in your garden. In this blog we will go through 5 top tips on how to attract frogs into your garden, and some fun facts about frogs for good measure! Above is a photo from one of our customers who has welcomed frogs into her garden!
