Birds of Upper Swaledale

Pry House Farm is a haven for hundreds of birds

         

It is truely a wonderful moment when the birds return to Upper Swaledale in the spring.   Our farm is a magnet for dozens of species of ground nesting birds.  Every year the curlew, oystercatcher, lapwing, snipe, skylark and redshank arrive on home field to forage for food.  They nest in the nearby pastures and by the river where the reeds and rough ground provide shelter.

           

      

Over the years I have seen golden plover, ring ouzel and short-eared owls from the windows of the farmhouse.  This year I have seen fledgling wagtail, thrush and swallows as well as a family of tiny wrens!

    

    

Sometimes they stay a while other times its a fleeting glimpse but everytime its a priviledge.  The window seat in the guest bedrooms, the garden terrace and the Shepherd’s Hut are all perfect for sitting quietly, observing and listening to the outdoor residents.