Spring Is Finally Here
Spring is coming at last. Today the sun is splitting the sky, the birds are singing and the animals are all soaking up a bit of the sun. There is a real hive of activity down at the Hobbits.
My goodness though, it has been a wet, wet winter. Keeping the animals fed as they and us plod around in the mud has been a bit of a challenge. Despite that, lots and lots has been going on here to get ready for the start of this year’s new season.
Early in the year we took a very critical wander round all the accommodations and, armed with pen and paper, we made a long list of things that we wanted to do to make sure that when we reopen everything is in tip top shape.
Signs of Spring Around the Farm
When this week started we had yet more rain. Then suddenly we had a dry day and finally saw some blue sky.
Low and behold, all around us we could see spring appearing. Bulbs are coming up everywhere. Daffodils, tulips, bluebells and crocuses are all coming through to follow on from the snowdrops.
The birds were singing, the red kites were back out and in the next door field four hares were lounging in the sun. It really put a spring back in our step.
Our animals were able to dry out and enjoy feeling the sun on their backs.
New Additions and a New Garden Area
For those who haven’t visited us before, we have an ever increasing selection of animals and poultry.
Over the winter we have added some more peacocks to the tribe, which involved a trip to Yorkshire to collect them.
Ian then started to ponder on the possibility of restructuring the area at the top of the garden that, over the past few years, has been just one large space that the hens turn into soil.
New runs for the poultry have been constructed, some serious tree surgery has been done and the area cleared and prepared for grass seed.
Ian is sowing wild meadow seed and has planned areas of planting. Once the grass is through there will be a new path leading past the peacock runs and up to the top where visitors will be able to sit and enjoy the garden, the view and the wildlife.
It has been one of those jobs that grew in size and has certainly been a lot of work, not made easy by the rain. It will though be well worth it and we are hoping that people will really enjoy it.
By the time we open on March 27th we are hoping that the grass in the new garden will be coming through and the bulbs right across the garden and down as far as the Hobbits should be well into bloom.
The Rhea Showing Off
Spring changes the behaviour of some of our animals, not least the Rhea.
We have three Rhea, two white females and our grey male. All year round he is very quiet, submissive and definitely the bottom of the rank. However, suddenly this week as the sun came out he is strutting his stuff.
His neck stretches up so he can show off how tall he is. It feels like at least six foot when he comes over to see you. His wings puff out and he spends the day being the boss and herding his two ladies around.
He is no longer at the back trying to get a bit of the food when they let him. He is the boss there too and he has started to boom, the sound that male Rhea make.
We love hearing it and you can easily spend time just watching his antics.
Our Emus and a Big Surprise
Last year two Emus came to join us. We have not had Emus before and didn’t intend to get them.
We were visiting someone to collect turkey eggs and she happened to say she had too many Emu. Of course that is a fatal comment to Ian. A few days later Tom and Jerry arrived.
They settled really quickly and we have become very used to having them around.
To our delight Jerry started to lay. We think a total of seven eggs. Emu are unusual because the male sits on the eggs for weeks and weeks.
To our great surprise Tom is sitting. Carefully choosing his spot, pushing the eggs together where he wants them and taking his job very seriously.
At the very bottom of their field, under the watchful eye of the Wee Tree Howf, he proudly sits. So the early visitors to the Wee Tree Howf will have a bird’s eye view of him and may even see the eggs hatch.
The Mystery Golden Pheasant
A couple of years ago Ian went up to the poultry pen at the top to feed and there, mysteriously, was a very impressive Golden Pheasant.
We have no idea where he came from, how he arrived here or how he knew to add himself to the poultry pen. However, he did and he has been here ever since.
He is small, very brightly coloured and normally quite passive. As spring arrives though he becomes a tyrant.
He rushes around bossing everything, from hens to turkeys and even us if you let him away with it. Zooming in as soon as he thinks you are not watching or when you bend over collecting the eggs.
We love him and all his nonsense.
Why Spring Makes It All Worthwhile
Winter is always a challenge with animals, especially a wet winter. However, spring always comes around and makes it all worthwhile.
One of the things our visitors often say is how much they enjoy the peace they find when they come and stay with us, along with the time to enjoy our animals and all the wildlife that makes its home here.
If you are wondering what animals we have here, here is the full run down:
- Two Highland cows
- One Shetland pony
- Five Soay sheep
- Three Shropshire sheep
- Two Swiss Valley Black Nose sheep
- Seven Pygmy goats
- Two Alpacas
- Two Emus
- Three Rheas
- Peacocks
- Guinea fowl
- Geese
- Hens
- Turkeys
- Ducks
- Six cats
- And one dog
Hopefully you will come and spend a bit of time with us this year. Whatever the weather, take time out to enjoy the countryside and all its occupants.