Dawn Chorus Walks at Fordhall Farm on Bank Holiday Weekend

This bank holiday weekend we are holding two events: two Dawn Chorus Walks to help celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day at the beginning of May.


The first will begin at 4.30am on Saturday May 1st at Fordhall. Led by local twitcher and lifelong bird enthusiast Paul Rutter. Paul has a wealth of knowledge and will lead you around Fordhall, through woodlands, over wetlands, diverse grass meadows and more. You will get the opportunity to hear many birds and enjoy the challenge of deciphering which bird is associated with which call! Something that I have fun with every year :-)

Each morning the sun rises around the world facing ever more environmental challenges. Everywhere people face problems of pollution, famine, climate change and habitat destruction. Yet each morning the birds awake and sing their songs with enthusiasm


International Dawn Chorus day is a chance to set aside all our challenges for a few minutes, join in with your friends around the world in enjoying and celebrating nature’s miracle – the Dawn Chorus.


This is the time of year when all our birds come back to mate and nest. They are all competing with each other for mates and we have the wonderful opportunity of being part of that experience with them.

The second walk will take place on Sunday May 2nd, again at 4.30am from the farm. This walk will be geared towards children and families. It will provide that important quality time together, where you can all enjoy the morning song and even compete on spotting and hearing the many varieties of bird we have at Fordhall. If you're brave you can even choose to camp at Fordhall the night before, or stay in our yurts and we will come and wake you ready for the mornings walk.

In previous years we have spotted pied wagtail (as in the photo above), lapwing, buzzards, teal, chiff chaffs, woodpeckers, thrush, reed bunting and more... Who knows what other unusual birds you may find this year or what other wildlife you will see?

If you would like to join us on either of these events, please can you contact the office to book. Each walk will end with a full cooked breakfast from the farm (veggie options available too). The full walk and breakfast costs £7.50 per person on the Saturday, or £20 per family (2-4ppl) for the Sunday walk (including camping).

We do hope you will be able to join us.

Charlotte
01630 638696 or project@fordhallfarm.com

The London Marathon

For those of you who have attended a Fordhall volunteer working weekend, you may have met Maz (Marie-Anne). She volunteers in the kitchen with Ellie and is this year running the London Marathon! We don't envy her, but if you are watching look out for number 48333 and give her a cheer.

She is running for Stars Foundation, which helps support people with cerebral palsy, their families and carers. The Charity's aim is to promote awareness of the condition and raise money to buy mobility and educational aids for people who are unable to gain help through statutory means. As we have a volunteer on the farm with cerebral Palsy it is very important to us.


Marie-Anne has almost reached her target of £1000 sponsorship and anyone who would like to sponsor Marie-Anne can follow the link below.

http://www.justgiving.com/Marie-Anne-Pattersonstars

AGM and Farmers' Market 2010 photographs

As promised here are some more photos from the AGM weekend - as you can see lots of fun was had by all - Please don't forget that our next event is on the 13th June 2010. This is a great family day out for all and this year we are incorporating a fantastic beer festival too!

Hannah

Dawn Chorus Guided Walks at Fordhall Organic Farm

As soon as one event is over at Fordhall, another is on its way. Our next is two guided Dawn Chorus Walks to help celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day at the beginning of May.

The first will begin at 4.30am on Saturday May 1st at Fordhall. Led by local twitcher and lifelong bird enthusiast Paul Rutter. Paul has a wealth of knowledge and will lead you around Fordhall, through woodlands, over wetlands, diverse grass meadows and more. You will get the opportunity to hear many birds and enjoy the challenge of deciphering which bird is associated with which call! Something that I have fun with every year :-)

This is the time of year when all our birds come back to mate and nest. They are all competing with each other for mates and we have the wonderful opportunity of being part of that experience with them.

The second walk will take place on Sunday May 2nd, again at 4.30am from the farm. However, this walk will be geared towards children and families. It will provide that important quality time together, where you can all enjoy the morning song and even compete on spotting and hearing the many varieties of bird we have at Fordhall. If you're brave you can even choose to camp at Fordhall the night before, or stay in our yurts and we will come and wake you ready for the mornings walk.

In previous years we have spotted pied wagtail (as in the photo above), lapwing, buzzards, teal, chiff chaffs, woodpeckers, thrush, reed bunting and more... Who knows what other unusual birds you may find this year?!?

If you would like to join us on either of these events, please can you contact the office to book. Each walk will end with a full cooked breakfast from the farm (veggie options available too). The full walk and breakfast costs £7.50 per person on the Saturday, or £20 per family (2-4ppl)  for the Sunday walk (including camping).

We do hope you will be able to join us.

Charlotte
01630 638696

The Fordhall Community Land Initiative's AGM 2010

Last weekend Fordhall held its fourth ever AGM at the Beacon Community Centre in Market Drayton. It was a warm sunny day and people attended from all over the country. The AGM was informative and gave shareholders the chance to raise any questions about The FCLI that they may have had. Below are some of the main points that came out of the AGM.


* Everyone was excited about the renovation of the buildings but realises that we still have a lot of money to raise.

* The new logo for the FCLI was presented.

* The new FCLI staff were introduced.

* Everyone was given a farming update from Ben.

After the AGM and our delicious 'bring and share' lunch. Graham Harvey, the agricultural story editor of the Archers gave a talk on the importance of grass fed systems and wonderful stories of all his travels.

Thanks need to go to Ellie and Charlotte that supplied all the food all weekend, our fantastic board members and the Beacon Community Centre for their hospitality.

Please watch this space for a review and photographs from Sunday’s Farmers' Market at the farm!

Hannah

Gorgeous New Calf

When I arrived at work this morning Ben, Charlotte and Adam were in the barn, having just brought in a female cow that was about to calve. Adam has been working on the farm over the past few months, he is currently doing 25 hours a week and helps Ben on the farm with feeding etc. He is very keen and hard working and this morning helped deliver his first calf.

The hooves were already showing, however this had been the case for over an hour and it was obvious she needed some help to deliver her calf. Hence the reason she was brought inside.

The cow was becoming understandably aggitated. She was moved into a smaller pen head first and a chain was attached from the wall to the gate behind her. This made it safer for Ben and Adam to help with the delivery and made sure the cow did not back out and cause injury to herself and calf.
Once Ben had assessed the situation they tied a rope around each leg and began to pull gently. When the nose was appearing a tool called a calving aid was set up. The tool itself has a 'U' shaped top with a ridged pulley system on the pole. The 'U' shaped end fits around the back of the cow and the rope from each hoof is attached to each pulley, these are then wound back helping to pull the calf out.

Each contraction the cow had along with the calf being pulled by Ben and Adam, showed more and more of the calf and eventually the nose and most of its head was showing.

Eventually the head came out, which meant that the ropes could be taken off the hooves and the aid taken away. Ben Supported the calfs head whilst Adam cleared a path for the calf to be laid.

Together Ben and Adam pulled and the calf slid out looking quite healthy. Ben tapped it on the chest as it had a build up of mucus in its airway, it coughed and started to shake its head. It can take up to an hour for them to stand up, so the mother then frantically started cleaning her new baby.

Both mother and baby are fine and healthy and after a few days will be put back out in the field.

Some farm and cow facts!

• 
  
  There are 40 cows due to calve, there have been 9 so far.
• 
  
  On the farm there are 2 breeds of cattle, Hereford and Angus.
• 
  
  A Heifer is a young female (2 years and younger) that has not had a calf.
• 
  
  A Bull is an adult male
• 
  
  A Steer or bullock is a castrated male

Beth Kennett