WE AIM TO CREATE THE BEST ENVIRONMENT WE CAN, TO SHARE OUR SPACE WITH NATURE ABUNDANTLY.
SOME OF THE NATURE TO BE FOUND IN AND AROUND LITTLE HARE LODGE....
Bird life is abundant, we encourage this by growing plants and trees that create both great habitat and food for birds, simple steps like allowing seed heads to develop on plants at the end of their season can prove wonderful food sources for many birds; goldfinches feast on our cornflower heads, while chaffinches adore the undisturbed heads of thistles. Bullfinches are regularly found on the fruit trees. This winter we had a group of redwings come to stay in a tree beside the lodge, they regularly fed from our feeders and provided charming company through the darker months. Tits, nut-hatches, greenfinches, and thrushes, are all regular visitors, along with the more occasional visits from green woodpeckers, sparrowhawks and owls. The owls can be heard most evenings in their fine voices.
Bats, are a familiar site at dusk, at least one of the varieties is a long-eared bat. We discovered this after rescuing one that crash-landed. The beautiful thing was soaring happily again once we took it to a great height to give it clearance.
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Hedgehogs, are plentiful, both wild and nurtured. We have created habitat piles in which they may seek safe shelter and also in supporting the local hedgehog rescue charity we often look after poorly hogs, nursing them back to health with the ultimate aim of releasing them, sometimes this involves over-wintering those that are too poorly or weak to go into hiburnation in the wild. It is sometimes possible for guests to say hello to them, for example Jemima who stayed with us last summer was less bashful than usual.
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Pond life, frogs, toads and newts can all be found around and about the pond. This spring more than 30 frogs came to the pond to spawn. No one can say that frogs don't know how to party. There is also a lovely water lily in the pond, though less exciting than the frogs.
Miscellany.
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We are a dark sky area with very little light pollution, a great space from which to moon and star gaze.
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There is abundant insect-life, dragonflies visit the pond regularly and butterflies and moths are plentiful. We are planning a moth count and ID with a nearby conservation group and will hopefully be able to have a better idea of what moths live around us.
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Mortimer forest is a large wooded area that backs onto the village, it houses much life, but most noteworthy is the Mortimer deer, a type of deer found only in these woods, these majestic animals are easy to find if you know where to look. We can point you in the right direction (it is easy to get lost in those woods...)
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This spring a young Hare visited the lodge, it was especially wonderful for us, as we have a personal bond with these animals. We took it as a sign that our wild friends approve of what we are creating here. And we hope that you will too..