It's in the air

Hi there, Gertie and Grace the turkeys here. So much happening out on the farm at the moment we're out and about all day now. Sometimes I think the children have trouble finding us when it's bedtime since we've become roving reporters. While the sun is shining and there's so much going on we have been trusted to wander the farm and keep an eye on events as they happen.

Obviously a favourite spot is the feed barn, some of these children are a little clumsy and manage to drop some feed while weighing out the rations, we're only too happy to help clean up.





We noticed a lot of activity around the tractor and after a closer look discovered a a pair of robins have built a nest in the toolbox and despite the noise and the fact their home regularly moves off around the farm, they've hatched a brood of chicks.








Other birds seemingly immune to noise are a pair of collared doves who've chosen a spot in the courtyard for their nest. we can only assume they're basketball fans as they're right by the hoop and with this lovely weather it's been in use almost non-stop.






However out in the garden it seems we birds are not so welcome, 3 scary figures have appeared guarding the new seedbeds. Obviously we're not worried - we saw them being made, but some of the small, wild birds seem too scared to get close.









































Down at the pond Sid and Lucy are still attacking anything that moves, Lucy has started to sit at last so you never know, we might here the patter of tiny webbed feet yet.....







And the first hen has gone broody. They tried to get her to sit on goose eggs but they were just too big and she kept wobbling off, so now she has a nice clutch of hens' eggs and a lovely quiet shed to sit in.






Out in the meadows the wildflowers are changing almost daily. Anyone walking through comes back with yellow feet or wellies from the buttercups. To be honest it's getting so long now we have to be careful we don't get lost out there. But from our eye level it's amazing how many different plants are out there, in some places you're hard pressed to find any actual grass.














The sheep are very happy out among the flowers. The lambs are all in training for the next Olympics, racing round and round while their mothers grab the chance of a little snooze in the sun. And of course it's the only time of year when you can use the word "gambolling" and get away with it. Only a couple of weeks and the shearers will be in to remove those woolly coats. Well it is getting very hot during the day now, you should try black and bronze feathers, they just soak up the heat.


We've been watching the trees and this year it was definitely "oak before ash" so if all goes to plan we should be in for "a splash", after the past few summers being a complete "soak", that would be very welcome indeed.







And after their extended holiday, the horses are back at work again. With the sun and the flies they're quite glad of a shady stable during the day then a stroll back to the field in the evenings.








And, we can't avoid mentioning those pigs, here in piglet city where everywhere you look there are gangs of small, pink creatures running, sleeping, digging, trying to get in the garden and sampling everyone's food. After a busy morning getting up to mischief they flop down in piles to sleep before waking up to start again. Wherever you go there's a piglet or two to trip over.













And after a hard day's reporting maybe we can try for a lift home tonight....