Archive for the ‘Nature’ Category

Sponsor a Fruit Tree

The Museum of East Anglian Life is offering a fantastic opportunity for families to become part of the legacy of the newly redeveloped Abbots Hall and gardens with its ‘Sponsor a fruit tree’ offer.

(more…)

The Rangers Page for March

“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 – 21st, where day and night are equal lengths and for some it’s when British Summer Time begins, 29th, 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

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 14th 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 2nd 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