sandersj89 Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Just back from a few days at the familly farm in Devon and I thought I would share some of the pictures I managed to take whilst there. The activity on the farm at the moment is quite staggering and we have a number of important successes at the moment. (Fingers crossed we will be relocating back to Devon within 12 months!) This is the view from my window every evening, looking East: The swallows have arrived and are busy sitting tight, this one is nesting in a passage up to the utility room of the farmhouse, they have used the same nest for over 10 years and over winter a wren normal squats: We also get lots of house martins: This is one of the ponds on the farm, we dug this out about 20 years ago and used to stock with trout, the largest I caught was just under 10lb. Not been stocked for a while but I am planning to in the near future. Good population of eels plus a resident population of moorhens that breed very well, we also get a few ducks nesting but in winter you count in over 50 mallard and a few teal most evenings. Here is a wild mallard heading back to her nest: We have a large badger set, been there longer than I have been on this earth, but I did not have time to sit up one evening to try and see if there are cubs, the spore at the tunnel entrances indicates there are: Looking down into the main entrance: Plenty of rabbits about: I also managed to locate a pigeon nest: Not allowed to post any more images but if you click on the links below you will see the pictures, it is worth it if you can: I watched for a bit and then went back when the mother had flown of for a bite to eat: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...007/Pigeon1.jpg Talking of nest this hen pheasant had decided to nest in the garden: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...g2007/Nest1.jpg 10 eggs…fingers crossed: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...ng2007/Nest.jpg I think this may be dad: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...7/Cpheasant.jpg These doves have also appeared out of no where in the last few years, they are nesting in a new barn we put up about 15 years ago: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...ng2007/Dove.jpg The farm is close to Powderham Castle, they have a large deer park full of fallow, as a result we get a few on the farm from time to time, I spent about 30 mins stalking these so apologise for the poor pictures, there was a fawn there as well but he legged it too quick for me to get a shot: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...2007/Fallow.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...007/Fallow1.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...007/Fallow2.jpg But I am saving the best to last, first a little owl, not a great photo as it was late but I do like them: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...7/Littleowl.jpg We also have had the kestrels return though they decided to nest in a large oak tree rather than a ledge on the barns, two chicks that I can see but hopefully more: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...07/Kestrel1.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...007/Kestrel.jpg Then the best off all, the barn owls are doing well, they have bred the last 5 years with good returns, I believe there to be at least 3 chicks this year and they are about to fledge, very early. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...007/BarnOwl.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sand...07/BarnOwl1.jpg So, things are looking good on the wildlife stakes at the farm, the work we have done with owl boxes, beetle banks, pond renovation, rough strips and bird seed mixes is paying dividends it seems! Should be good this winter as well as we have sown just over 5 acres in spots around the farm of a dedicated wild bird seed mix. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatingisbest Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Great Pics Jerry, some lovely ground you have there too, and that pond would be good for fly fishing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 What a lovely place your family has. Lots going on too. I have seen two 'resident' little owls at my permission but your place has all sorts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted June 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 What a lovely place your family has. Lots going on too. I have seen two 'resident' little owls at my permission but your place has all sorts. Many thanks. Though we aim to farm it commercially we also aim to manage it for wildlife. If we cant afford to look after it in such a way to provide an income in conjunction with making it a great place for wildlife then we are failing to be honest. Making a living takes precedence but if we can afford to help a little on the wildlife front then that is important. Helping also means control, I love to see rabbits, pigeons, foxes, etc about......but in the righ proportion. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Great pictures Jerry, loves lovely down there - one day . . . p.s. Got any Kate Humble pictures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagup-sam Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 nice place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Jerry, fantastic pictures mate. I enjoyed them very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasshopper Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Wonderful photo,s Shows that shooting/farming and conservation does go hand in hand when managed by those who know how too Lovely place too GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Thanks for taking the time to share those Jerry, fantastic to see all that going on! Best of luck striking the balance as well, sounds very much like you will do just that and have more pictures for us in years to come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonna Shoot a Wabbit Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 fantastic photo's well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Bill Oddy the second. Smashing pics. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead-eye Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 great pics nice to see wildlife thriving with you there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted June 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 p.s. Got any Kate Humble pictures? I wish! Thanks for the comments guys, it is a special place but then I am biased being born there. And just taking the time to keep your eyes open means you get to see all sorts! Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
young airgunner Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 awesome pictures mate, really enjoyed flicking through them. well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Looks like a little piece of heaven LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 brilliant pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08shooter Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 devon and cornwall are my favourite counties in england and i have been in nearly them all.i worked in cornwall for a spell and could have settled there quite easily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted June 5, 2007 Report Share Posted June 5, 2007 You lucky, lucky man :blink: :blink: Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipper Posted June 5, 2007 Report Share Posted June 5, 2007 VERRY LUCKY :blink: Thanks for taking the time to share what you have with us :blink: Keep em comeing kipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcha Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 Where abouts in Devon is that? You must live at the decent side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 Cracking pics mate Devon is one of my favourite counties, we get down there 4/5 times a year Keep the pics coming This was taken a few miles down the road from you SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted June 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Where abouts in Devon is that? You must live at the decent side. Not far from Exeter, near the Estuary. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Great pics, you're certainly a very lucky man, although I appreciate exactly what you mean about it having to be viable as a business as well. My mother in law has a farm in the Blackdowns in Devon, not too far from you and it's idyllic. There's not much cover for game as it used to be dairy, (now beef and horses), but it does have a fantastic trout stream that runs through the middle of it. Personally I've not had much luck fishing, but it's great for swimming in We try and get down as often as possible, but have to endure the wretched M25 to get there, which tends to spoil it a bit. B) P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russuk Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 Great pics, you're certainly a very lucky man, although I appreciate exactly what you mean about it having to be viable as a business as well. My mother in law has a farm in the Blackdowns in Devon, not too far from you and it's idyllic. There's not much cover for game as it used to be dairy, (now beef and horses), but it does have a fantastic trout stream that runs through the middle of it. Personally I've not had much luck fishing, but it's great for swimming in We try and get down as often as possible, but have to endure the wretched M25 to get there, which tends to spoil it a bit. B) P. Takes me 6/7 hours to get down to the in-laws place in Cornwall. Awful journey. Cracking pics B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted July 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2007 Just a little update as been at the farm for a few days, see my thread in the guns section about my HMR. Managed to snap these little fellas, at the time of my last trip they were still in their nest, now out and ready for serious flying lessons. The other good news is the owls and kestrels have all fledge, one owlet did not make it and we were worried about the weather but the rest have made it out and about. We see them most evenings and hear them all the time. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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