3 peaks and Pendle - views from Foxhill

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

I went for a walk this morning to take in the full splendour of the stunning panorama you can see when you look North from Foxhill; Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent still wearing their snowy caps, Whernside only revealing itself from a higher vantage point when the light catches it at just the right angle, allowing you to distinguish between normally blurred horizons. My photo, taken from our yard this morning, really doesn't do this magnificent view justice.

These beautiful views of Pendle are the ones that greet us when we open our front door. Bonny, our pony, is always to be found nonchalantly grazing in the foreground.

Winter Wonderland at Foxhill

Jan & Pete would like to wish you all a happy New Year. And what a start to 2010 weatherwise! These are just a couple of the many wonderful scenes we woke up to this morning.

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

Autumn colours

Here at Foxhill the autumn colours are now in their full glory. During a recent walk down the lane we saw a large flock of longtailed tits working their way along the hedgerow. The flock was about 20 strong. At this time of year it is common for species of tits to congregate in flocks - either the same species or many species together. Fieldfares have also arrived. On another walk we also saw a pair of tawny owls. Since getting our chickens about 6 weeks ago we are now attracting some of the local pheasant population on a regular basis. They are getting tamer and we expect they will be around for the foreseeable future.

Not many fungi as yet, probably because it's been relatively dry. The next few weeks should be a good time for fungi foraging, especially because our local lanes have a good selection of dead wood, providing the perfect conditions.

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

3 baby swallows

These 3 chicks were minding their own business in one of our outbuildings till I came along and disturbed them. This is just one of several nesting places we have for the swallows.

If anybody can give me some assistance in siting bird boxes I wouuld very much appreciate it.

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

Pheasants in abundance

Is it me or are there more pheasants around than usual this year? Not a day goes by without seeing at least one of them trying to run off without being spotted. And if you can't see them you can certainly hear them!

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

Company for the swallows

Wagtails and yellow finches are now flying about, dipping and weaving everywhere. Wild poppies with their glorious red are appearing and also their counterpart the icelandic poppy. The mayflower is now more abundant and cow parsley is starting to appear.
Owls can be heard in the evening communicating with one another and the pheasants also with their familiar loud screeching sound.

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

More swallows - will they make a summer?

More swallows have now arrived and it's wonderful to hear their chatter as they prepare their nests. In the evenings you can watch them swoop over the fields as they catch the midges in the cool of the evening.

The blackthorn is now in flower and it's great to see the hedgerows alive with its blossom. The mayflower has started to appear although a little earlier than expected; maybe it's a sign that a good summer is expected. Local farmers are predicting a hotter summer due to the fact that twins and triplets have been born. Let's hope!

Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast