The farm is alive again with all the summer migrants here now. Swallows, House Martins, and my favourites the swifts. The swift is a perfect example of nature working tirelessly to create the perfect shape for its purpose. Bickham Farm is blessed to have the perfect spot for them to both hunt and nest. The nesting site is the the real joy, the large barn that was restored last year by Natural England, provides the perfect place for the Swifts to be able to get under the eaves and most importantly then be able to just drop onto the sky when leaving the nest. The Swift can not land on the ground and sadly if they do they are unable to take off making them easy prey for farm pets. I am especially pleased to see the Swifts back this year as last year with the scaffolding up to make the renovations possible, the swifts had to work doubly hard to get to there nest sight. But the desire to reproduce is a strong one and the swifts managed some fantastic high speed manouveres to nest. The insects that these birds require, I fear are not in abundance yet, still cold and large downpours lowers the insect activity. However that rain has been most welcome, but now, we, here in the South West have had enough.We have plants we need to plant, no doubt we will get a window to plant them in soon. Just had confirmation that we will be getting an expert to come and look at the machinary within the old barn, hope to be able to make our own cider and apple juice from horse power this Autumn.

speak soon

Roddy