June walks along the Lincoln Cliff Edge provide some magnificent vistas, including watching the sun set at 9.33 over the longest days of the year. Work is now well underway to complete our barn conversion; it should be available for use by late summer and is in a stunning location with some of the best vistas in Lincolnshire. Photos will be posted next month so watch this space.

Wildlife is blooming at Hilltop Farm.
The Cowslips and Apple blossom which made a fantastic show are melding into a rich tapestry of brilliant summer colours. A lot of birds are now breeding successfully. A family of seven Mistle thrushes came by yesterday and an exceptionally large brood of twelve Long-tailed Tits. The Robin started sitting on five eggs in the hollow of the Apple tree right in the front garden. Both Grey and Red leg Partridges are nesting in the barn field.

Work is now underway to complete the barn conversion which will be available for letting next year. This is a superb location for four/six people to enjoy the countryside, with easy access to Lincoln.

Mad March Hares emerge from winter

As we very slowly emerge from the cold winter, the lengthening days are now encouraging wildlife to become more active. Hares can be seen across the fields boxing each other in the fight for territory and mates. There have been some early leverets but many of them will have died in the harsh conditions. This past week the Green Woodpecker or 'Yaffle' has been particularly vocal as he shouts out his home range. Nearby the Great Grey Shrike, which we first found before Christmas, has been giving great views nearby from increasing numbers of birdwatchers.

February stirrings

As the days lengthen wildlife is starting to get active; our foxes are now paired and occupying their earth on the farm; young ones are normally born in March and start to play around the hole in late April. One small mammal that has remained very active over the cold winter conditions has been our friend the mole. His powerful claws are highly effective ice breakers! Great Tits are starting to investigate our nest boxes and we now have a pair of Barn Owls roosting within yards of the farmhouse; perhaps we will be lucky and they will occupy the newly created owl hole in the barn. Our sponsored bird, the Kestrel, has a new home on offer in the form of a nest box on an electic pole. Work on conversion of the barn has started but it will be the main house that is available for letting for this summer.

We have enjoyed a number of events at Lincoln Cathedral over the winter; this local attraction of international acclaim never ceases to amaze. We took this photo recently with late afternoon sunshine on the West Front. The Tourist Information Centre is the half timbered building on the left and Lincoln Castle lies behind.

Snow in the Lincolnshire landscape

With the return of 'normal' winter conditions, that many of us used to enjoy in years gone by we have had some really beautiful days here in Lincolnshire over the past month. With miles of uncluttered countryside and green lanes to walk along the beauty of the snowy landscape makes a day out with the camera really worthwhile. Flocks of buntings and finches are now joining the winter thrushes, to feed on the nearby game food crops, which have been planted for their benefit to see them through the winter. Recently we were treated to a rare sight - a visiting Great Grey Shrike came to the barn field next to the garden and sat out in the sunshine giving great views.

The farmhouse is open for bookings from early May and the barn conversion should be available later in the year. Watch this space!

Here in Lincolnshire we don't have 'bad' weather. Enjoy rain, snow or sunshine and visit us here for a great holiday break in the countryside.

Or if you really want to get back to nature you can join our August or December expeditions in central Africa and camp in the wilds for a month http://www.biosearch.org.uk/

December at Hilltop Farm

Our conservation area has interest all year round. We are currently putting out Niger and Sunflower seeds for the birds. Siskin and the migrant winter thrushes are joining the resident finches and yellowhammers at present. We have regular passage of over 300 Pink Footed Geese traversing the farm to feeding grounds on winter crops.

Fungal Foray from Hilltop Farm

The Lincolnshire countryside and woodlands around Hilltop Farm provide good hunting for fungi at this time of year and we had plenty of interesting finds on a recent visit to a nearby woodland. This species is Clouded Agaric (Clytocybe nebularis) and was quite abundant in early November. Fungi are great to photograph since they provide interest to autumnal scenes and they don't move!