Farming and Conservation Day Tour at Eyebrook

Hello

Today saw the last of the season Naturetrek day tours at Rectory Farm, Great Easton courtesy of the Johnson family. Fay, Phil and Sue spent time with us today explaining the history of this 'just over the border' Leicestershire farm and nearby landmarks as well as explaining the philosophy of combined modern farming and conservation and how the two can work together. We took a wander around the fields of this medium-sized farm which cultivates a variety of crops and supports a small flock of sheep too. Initially it was rather grey and breezy but remained mostly warm and the sun broke through this afternoon. After some home-made cake and scones and tea we finished the day scanning over the adjacent Eyebrook Reservoir.

Two Ospreys were on view initially and we subsequently saw one on a few occasions, at one stage this afternoon it landed in some shallow water at the reservoir and enjoyed a sustained wash before sitting up in a tree. Red Kites are a constant -  wheeling, gliding and soaring all around throughout the day and of course the local Common Buzzards were about too. An early brood of Swallows were on the wing and House Martins were collecting mud in the farmyard in a patch designed for them. A Pied Wagtail was sitting on five eggs in the underside of a vehicle undergoing repair in one of the sheds and a Spotted Flycatcher was in nearby limes.

Skylarks are particularly numerous on this farm with many hovering and singing above all the cereal fields and there are plenty of Yellowhammers and just a few Tree Sparrows. We saw a Yellow Wagtail take food in to a barley field where presumably there was a nest and a Grey Wagtail was at the reservoir. Little Egrets were seen over the fields and at Eyebrook Reservoir where there was also a Great White Egret, a Yellow-legged Gull and an Egyptian Goose. A singing Lesser Whitethroat declined to show itself and our only views of Brown Hares were distant.

Day-flying moths included Six-spot Burnet, Burnet Companion, Grass-veneer and Yellow Shell and active butterflies were made up of Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Large Skipper and Painted Lady with Peacock caterpillars noted on nettles.

Regards

Neil M

House Martins
collecting mud and straw.

Ragged Robin.

Ewe and lamb.

Cornflower.

Peacock butterfly caterpillars
on nettles - all above images
taken on the Naturetrek Day Tour
today.

Seven of the eight Red Arrows
distantly over Hanging Houghton
this evening.