Fauna at Beer Mill Farm

This page will attempt to record the many creatures large and small that share Beer Mill Farm with us.

One of Britain's largest Dragonfly's photographed at Beer Mill Farm (Click to enlarge)

As well as the larger mammals such as Roe Deer, Foxes and Badgers, the gradual change to a more conservation based way of looking after the land is increasing the numbers of birds and insects.

Measures such as delaying hay making until late July and trimming hedges to a plan which involves trimming only selected sections each year so that each hedge is only cut every three years is already helping to encourage wildlife and plants.

Right: Sunflowers planted in a wildlife area to provide seed heads for wild birds

As mentioned above we often see foxes and rabbits. Roe deer often appear and there are many badgers living along the boundary to the west. Among the more rarely seen animals we see the occasional Stoat chasing rabbits (hooray!), only one slow worm so far but it's a start. Otters work along the river and have been monitored by the RSPCA but sadly we have never seen one. Because the river is very low in the summer they apparently only work their way along the river bed every two or three weeks.

Our most spectacular birds are Buzzards who always nest in an oak tree near the house and perch on the poles holding the power lines along the track to the house. They are quite used to us now and it can be rather disconserting cycling along being watched from above by a very large buzzard. Other hunters we get frequently are Kestrels and Sparrowhawks together with Tawny Owls and Little Owls. The little Owls always raise at least one brood, sometimes two, in the eaves of the house. One year they nested in an old trailer in one of the barns.

You can always see Kingfishers flashing along the river and sometimes they can be seen perched on low branches looking for fish. Mallard ducks often visit the river and last year raised a brood.

Other birds we see are Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Tree Creepers, Wrens, Chaffinches, Green Finches, Goldfinches, Blackbirds, Green, Greater Spotted and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are common. Collared Doves and Wood Pidgeons often visit and usually the Collared Doves nest in one of the barns.

In December 2002 a Cormorant visited our section of river.

to be expanded.......