Foxhill wood 10th anniversary

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast 10 years ago we planted around a thousand trees, all native species, over 3 acres. It has been really satisfying to see their development over the years.

Martin Top circular walk

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

This morning I walked from Foxhill Barn to Martin Top, then did a circular before returning to Foxhill, a distance of about 5 miles. On a couple of occasions I came across wild garlic with its wonderful fragrance, and the bluebells and yellow poppies near Martin Top chapel were beautiful to behold.

Swallows' return

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

I saw a couple of swallows today, though I haven't managed to capture them on camera yet. They have returned to nest in our outbuildings, and it is lovely to hear them chirping away as it is a sign that Spring really is upon us at last.

Baby deer outside Foxhill

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

I went down to let the chickens out early yesterday morning and was greeted by the sight of a baby deer running across the neighbouring field. The great spotted woodpecker is a regular visitor these days. Two woodpeckers recently had a fight - mother and offspring perhaps?

Baby Great Spotted Woodpecker

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

We are now getting regular visits from a baby Great Spotted Woodpecker. It tends to feed for quite some time before flying back to the safety of the trees at the other side of the croft. you can tell it's a juvenile because it has a patch of red at the front of the head. This time I managed to take about 8 photos before it disappeared!

Birdlife around Foxhill

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

These beautiful birds were captured on our doorstep recently. In addition to the swallow, one of many swallow nesting in the outbuildings, this bull finch was seen on Coal Pit Lane, which is just at the bottom of Howgill Lane and now forms a section of the Pennine Bridleway.

Goldfinches

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

Goldfinches have been increasingly regular visitors to our bird table this last week. We have just sited 4 new bird boxes in the hope of attracting more birds this year.