Stirley FarmToday's trip was organised by Peter who also managed to arrange a good sunny day for our first visit to this Community Farm which was taken on by the Yorkshire Wildlife trust in 2011 in an effort to show that farming and wildlife can exist together. Enthusiastic manager Kim Warren, whose previous job had been managing Jamie Oliver's garden in Essex, explained to the 16 members of our group what had been achieved so far and what plans they had for the future, as this project is still very much a work in progress. An orchard has already been planted and the field nearest the old farm house is being turned into a series of beds in which various crops were being planted by volunteers and by community groups. The farm buildings are at present being converted into an education centre and a residence and offices for the farm.
Anxious CalfAfter Kim's address and a look round the farm, where they were just turning out some of their Shorthorn cattle with calves, we walked on a mile or so to Upper Park Wood, a small YWT reserve of about 2 acres which lies within the 240 acres of Stirley Farm. Here we lunched sitting on a south-facing sun-drenched slope whilst being serenaded by the songs of many different birds. After lunch we carried on a short way to explore more of Upper Park Wood and we again enjoyed the sunshine and the extensive views over the Pennines before we returned to the minibus, which we had parked under the shadow of Castle Hill via Stirley Farm and their Portaloos.
Goldfinch Kim told us that so far they had not experienced any problems with either rabbits or deer, but perhaps that's about to change as we saw a single roe deer heading towards the farm from Upper Park Wood as we walked back.
Spring is late this year and bluebells only just starting to show flower, nevertheless Joan did record 28 plants in flower and one fern. The bird count was exactly the same number, with a first whitethroat sighting of the year and a buzzard the highlights, although the real birding highlight was in fact the continuous sound of birds singing their hearts out trying to attract mates. Three species of butterfly were on the wing, with an orange tip being a first sighting of the year.
A lovely day out thanks to Peter's organisation and Sue's driving.Stuart