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It is now the 2nd week in April and although the weather has become
drier we are still only getting the odd warm day which then produces a hive of activity from all manner of creatures. We left
some hedgerows uncut and this has produced even more blossom on the Blackthorn and on the warmer days I have noticed
quite a high population of Peacock butterflies.
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| Larsen Trap |
We have been very busy putting crops
in the ground and at the moment have sown Spinach, Parsley, Fennel, Coriander, Dill, Kohlrabi and Cavalo Nero. To try and
speed up the growing days we cover with fleece some crops which creates a warmer climate and as the picture shows the
difference in the Spinach between covered and uncovered. Just out of interest today has been very quiet as due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland there have been virtually
no planes in or out of Heathrow and with us in such close proximity we have enjoyed the relative silence!!
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| Our wallflowers in bloom at farm entrance |
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| Beautiful Peacock butterfly |
I have marked 3 Lapwing and 2 Ringed Plover nests all with 4 eggs each
but have noticed that we do not seem to have many Lapwings at the moment (maybe more will come if the temperature warms up!).
We utilise Larsen Traps on the farm at this time of year to catch Magpies and Crows who are often responsible for eating
eggs and young of the ground nesting birds there is many a time I have witnessed the crows swooping down low across
the field with a team of Lapwings in hot pursuit to try and chase them away.
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| fleeced spinach |
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