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Wildlife Diary November 2025
On Saturday 1st (our first weekend volunteer day on the reserve) Harry and volunteer Liam cleared part of the green lane side of the Pennsland Lane fence ready for replacing the rotten posts and repairing the fence. A flock of about 70 mixed finches were in the North...
Walking 100 miles
A note from Delia We are looking forward to walking 100 miles in 2025 to raise funds for the Barn Owl Trust. For the last three years I have been walking 1000+ miles a year locally - the equivalent distance of Land's End to John O'Groats. Last year the heading was...
Wildlife Diary October 2025
A Barn Owl had a narrow escape at 7am on the 1st when a Goshawk tried to catch it (and missed) whilst hunting over the Top Field. Barn Owl seen again over the Top Field and at the Wildlife Tower. Harry and 5 volunteers from Francis Clark LLP (Chartered Accountants)...
Wildlife Diary September 2025
The heavy downpours which started on the 27th August continued into the beginning of September bringing much needed rain. On the 1st, a Slow Worm and 2 young Field Voles were seen under the corrugated metal mats near the Top Field Shelter. About 140+ Linnets were...
‘The Barn Owl’ – Celebrating 40 Years of Barn Owl Conservation
Celebrating 40 Years of Barn Owl ConservationIn 2025, the Barn Owl Trust will mark 40 years since our very first Barn Owl release — four decades of rescuing, protecting and conserving Barn Owls. To celebrate, we’ve joined forces with Ashburton artist Glen Middleham,...
Wildlife Diary August 2025
There was a Spotted Flycatcher family on the edge of Pennsland Lane overlooking the rewilding area on the 2nd. A Barn Owl was seen hunting over the crop before sunrise on the 3rd and a flock of 140 Linnets was seen in early daylight. Daniel BTO ringed 20 Linnet, 3...
Wildlife Diary July 2025
Harry and volunteer Tim led a Butterfly Walk on the 2nd. Seven people joined them, and they recorded 13 species including Small Tortoiseshell, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large White, Comma, Ringlet, Marbled White, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Large...
Wildlife Diary June 2025
On the 2nd the Swallows were on 3 eggs in the Top Field Shelter, the female was incubating. Broad Bodied Chasers (m & f) mating at the Swallow Pond. 20 Swallows were hawking over David’s Oak with 2 House Martins. A male Kestrel was hunting over the crop. 3...
Wildlife Diary May 2025
A Moth trap on the 1st caught 32 individuals, 15 species, including a Fox Moth that laid eggs in the trap and a Black Burying Beetle. All the Moths were released after identification; Fox Moth, Great Prominent, Hebrew Character,Brindled Beauty, Muslin, Treble...