Farmer Ferrers Diary May 2006
Hello everybody
Cuckoo……. the distinctive call of the cuckoo can be heard around the country park at the moment, there also several little grebe nests, this is a small water bird, black and dumpy with light brown cheeks. You can see them in the borrowdykes in the country park watch them dive and come up a distance away because they can swim very well under water to get small snails. I have also spotted a pair of Ruddy ducks, the males are distinctive because they have powder blue cheeks and are a rusty brown colour. There are several pairs of greylag geese and shell duck, these are typical estuary ducks and can be found up and down the river.
Butterflies….. lots of butterflies are emerging at the moment; look out for the Orange Tips which have orange tips at the top of their wings. There are also lots of Small Whites about these are small and white. If you want more information about what can be seen in the Country Park then call our Country Park Ranger Matt Hayes.
Our next event is just around the corner. This May half term holiday we are holding a Wildlife Week, from Monday 29th May to Friday 2nd June 10.00am to 5.00pm. The rangers will be running one hour pond dipping sessions each day at 10.00am, 11.30am and meadow minibeast hunting session in the afternoon at 2.00pm. Children and adults will be able to travel on the tractor and trailer ride into the Country Park and spend just over an hour discovering the creatures in the water, and the minibeast session out at the sea wall looking for wildlife. There is no need to book for these sessions; they will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
The Essex Wildlife Trust will be at the farm helping visitors with any questions they may have about wild animals. Children can join in the wildlife quiz around the farm trail. They will also be able to personalise a flower pot, make a small bird box, a bug in a box or a bouncing bug. There will be Barn Owl flying demonstrations towards the end of the week and owl pellet investigation all week (please telephone on 01245 321552 nearer the time for details of days and times). Visitors will also be able to learn how to make their garden more inviting to the local wildlife in a special wildlife garden area.
See you soon,
Farmer Ferrers
Use the links below to see previous diary entry's
