Wildlife at West Barn

As West Barn is situated in a rural location you may well encounter wildlife that you are not familiar with.

Livestock

Our neighbour has 2 horses stabled to the rear of West Barn. You will often see them in their paddock, over the rear wall. Feel free to enjoy their company, but please do not feed them and please remain on our side of the wall as a kick from a horse normally hurts!

Sometimes cows graze in the field to the western side. As they are inquisitive animals they will often come over to see anyone at the wall.

Sheep are often seen in another field east of the farmhouse and can be viewed from the adjacent public footpath.

Birds

There are bird-feeders in the maple tree to the side. Normally you will find bird-seed in the garage, feel free to top up the feeders as this will help attract birds (and unfortunately, greedy squirrels!).  As West Barn is closer to the woodland we tend to get some more unusual birds. Our neighbour regularly puts food out for the birds which helps attract different species.

There are some bird identification books on the shelf.

There are owls in the area that can often be heard in the evenings. We have installed an owl box on an ash tree on the right front boundary (as you look out the door). So far we have not hosted any owls – only pigeons!

We frequently see the following birds;  (best viewed from the end window in the living room)

  • Blue Tit
  • Great Tit
  • Sparrow
  • Wren
  • Chaffinch
  • Coal Tit
  • Tree Creeper
  • Nuthatch
  • Long-tailed Tit
  • Swift
  • Chiff Chaff
  • Green Finch
  • Goldfinch
  • Jay
  • Magpie

We have also seen;

  • Barn Owl – added Oct’17
  • Kingfisher- added Oct’17
  • Sparrow Hawk
  • Buzzard
  • Kestrel
  • Pheasant
  • Dipper

In the woodland to the east, there is an established rookery. Early in the mornings, you will see rooks leaving their nests and from late afternoon they start to congregate in the trees before returning to their nests in the evening.

Bats

We hope you are not scared of these lovely creatures. It is normal in summer months to see bats – highlighted by the house lights, swooping round, back and forth, over the stream. They catch the midges that hover over the stream. (don’t worry, the midges do not venture up to the terrace!). They really are fascinating creatures, enjoy them, they won’t trouble you!