Archive for the ‘Nature’ Category

We have a new arrival at the Museum, a calf was born last Wednesday! To read all about it, visit our blog http://eastanglianlife.blogspot.com/2011/09/lucky-tale.html

“The first day of spring is one thing; the first spring day is another”

As the saying goes “When March comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb” Well let’s hope so as the first 24 hours of this month saw a very wet lion sweep over our region, the entire nature walk was submerged by the swollen river leaving a trail of wash up litter and debris.

Has spring sprung?

According to the Met Office it has, on the first of this month, as this divides the year into four equal quarters but for many its marked by the spring equinox, 20 – 21^st, where day and night are equal lengths and for some it’s when British Summer Time begins, 29^th, spring forward fall beck. Either way spring is a time to smile, the dark days of winter are drawing out and there’s warmth in the sun.

For people who worked the land this was a very serious time of year, the decisions made now on what and when to sow are crucial. A downpour shortly after sowing may wash away the seed, a hard frost may kill off any tender shoots. This is why so many springtime weather sayings relate to long term trends;

“If the Oaks before the Ash summer will be a splash

If the Ash is before the Oak summer will be a soak”.

“Many mists in March you see, many frosts in May will be”.

“A peck of March dust is worth a King’s ransom”.

To quote a few, let’s hope it’s the Oak first.

What’s been happening on the estate?

It has been difficult for the first few weeks getting out and about due to the ground being so wet but we’ve been repairing the chicken coops putting up more nest boxes and improving the small animal’s area in preparation for our new arrivals. It’s been many years since Abbots hall estate has kept prize winning Wyandotte chickens, this has now changed as we are once again hosts to this traditional breed now having three very good examples. Our other new arrivals are two very endearing pygmy goats, a very sketchy link to East Anglia I agree, but if you see them you’ll understand why we got them!

Some other arrivals are also being prepared for but luckily we don’t have to do very much. It’s over to Boris and Doris, our large black pigs, as this week they have been reunited and love, well curiosity at the moment, is in the air again. My last task each day now includes dimming the lights on their arc and pressing play on the best of Barry White CD. If all goes well Doris will present us with between 8-13 little pigs in 3 months 3 weeks and 3 days time.

In season

A real perk for me at this time of year is indulging on our forced rhubarb, we use it in many ways but this is one of the best.

Rhubarb Vodka

In a large jar, at least 2 ltr, add about 500g or so of chopped rhubarb and half the amount of sugar then pour over 1ltr of vodka and seal.

Shake the jar every couple of days for a few weeks then store for at least 2 months. Then either sieve and rebottle or just leave it and use a ladle when ever your tempted.

Give it a go its great, try it with strawberries plumbs or any other soft fruits. You never know it may even count as one of your five a day!

The Rangers Page for February

“If I were a bear and a big bear too, I shouldn’t much care if it froze or snew.

I shouldn’t much mind if it snowed or friz, I’d be all fur lined with a coat like his”

Winnie the pooh

What is out and about?

Well love is in the air, I’m not just talking about the card shops! The 14^th has always marked the time of year when our birds and animals start to pair up. The Blackbirds are much louder, singing their sweet music to each other. The woodpeckers are on percussion with their rhythmic taps, and the rooks are starting to hold their noisy parliaments in the tree tops. Their nests from last year are being repaired while our smaller breads are creating new homes in some of the many bird boxes we have around the site. Love is also underground this month, have you seen areas of green resembling a mine field overnight, the moles are looking for love!

This month also sees the snow drops a welcome site and a reminder that spring is on its way. We are lucky at the museum as there is a lovely display of the little white flowers just outside Abbots Hall.

Before I get carried away with the idea that spring is but a few weeks away, and the flip flops might see the light of day, the 2^nd of this month has historically marked the middle of winter as far as the weather is concerned. A wise farmer will always ensure he has half his supply of feed left by this date as cold strong winds and rain is still to come over the next few months.

I have saved the best news till last. At the start of the month Jane, one of our regular dog walkers, spotted two otters along the river walk. This is fantastic news as there have been no sightings for a few years. Needing to see this for myself I went to the sight early the next morning and sure enough they were there, not for long but they were there, it must have been the huge grin I had that scared them off!

One of my favourite things is to follow the progress of the many edible plants fruits and berries around the Estate. One fruit is just about to finish its season, the Medlar. We have one Medlar tree on site, it’s been here some time, they are not native to Britain but are from Turkey and due to this they don’t always fruit well. If however you do have a good harvest you can make a number of great things. I would recommend the following;

Medlar Jelly (great with meat or game)

450g Medlars, ripe and soft

300ml water

350g sugar

Clean and chop medlars, place in a pan with the water, simmer till a pulp, don’t stir.

Strain overnight through a jelly bag into a pan, don’t squeeze.

Add sugar and simmer gently until a jelly forms

Pour into sterilised jars, leave to set then cover

The birds are gone, the ground is white. The winds are wild, they chill and bite

The ground is thick with slush and sleet, and I barely feel my frozen feet”

Estate Update.

The main topic has been the weather. What a winter so far. Thankfully all the animals seem to be coping well. Our cows and sheep have invented a new game it’s called ‘chase the big guy with the bucket of food each morning’. I let them win of course.

Apart from breaking the ice each morning on the water troughs we have managed to improve our animal facilities we now have a new hay and straw barn, a warm and dry stable for the goats and three new paddocks with day shelters.

Boris and Doris Our Large black pigs seem quite happy to stay in their arcs dreaming of sunny days and their wallows. The piglets, however, I am sure have been having snow ball fights!

What is out and about?

The pheasant and partridge population is growing by the week down on the wet meadows. This in part is due to some of the neighbouring houses feeding them and partly due to some of the lucky ones escaping the shoots from the farm land over the road. Either way it is nice to see them and they are all welcome.

Apart from the usual birds on the estate we have seen the return of a pair egrets and a heron on the river alongside the ever stunning kingfishers. What could be better, standing on the river bank surrounded by snow and the only noise is a woodpecker at work, echoing through the trees. What a job.

Each month I intend to share a seasonal recipe, a food, a drink or a remedy.

This was told to me by a visitor to the museum a few years ago. It’s tried and tested and he swore by it.

It might not sound great but it seemed to work, I have tasted worse and at least this one is definitely none drowsy!.

According to archives and a copy of an old ordinance survey map, the land on the Combs Lane bank of the river was previously used to grow Osiers, a type of willow, for basket making. This fact is endorsed by the thriving basket making workshop known to have been in the nearby village of Onehouse. Both the workshop and the Osier bed were established by the Mullins family in the early 1880’s. It became a prolific business with willow being supplied to London. Every two months a London worker would drive a horse and cart on a four day round trip to collect the prized willow. After the cart was loaded the driver would overnight at the Shepherd and Dog before making the journey back.

At its peak, between the wars, the willow covered about 100 acres centred on Onehouse. Due to the decline in need however the workshop was closed in 1965. Since then the osier bed, which is now on the museum land, has been left in decline.

After seeing the old map the Estate Manager, Steve Howard, decided to reinstate a portion of the Osier bed. The true size of this task soon became clear, additional help was going to need to be enlisted. After a phone call and a visit, up stepped Simon Burnham-Slipper and his enthusiastic students from Otley Collage. Fleeces off, sleeves rolled up and work started. They spent a long day clearing the area to expose around 50 willow trees. These trees have all now been coppiced. The original dames and ditches will also be reinstated to ensure the recently cleared trees have enough water.

After coppicing, the newly cut willow was put to good use. Far too thick for basket making this year, some of the students under the watchful eye of Hannah, a regular volunteer from Otley College, created a willow dome with a seat inside. A large screen, and a large shelter that will be used in future by willow workers, were also made from the Whips. This style of structure is still a living form. The willow whips are planted in the ground and take root, they then continue to grow in the new designated shape.

The aim of the exercise was to not only expose a piece of history for visitors to the museum, but also to regenerate a source of material. This will hopefully be used in classes and demonstrations at the museum and maybe a source for local businesses.

The Osier bed can be found by following the yellow route along the River Rat.

Archie Gemmel – Estate Ranger