Sunday 9 September 2018

Almost time to fly and say goodbye

Pry House Farm is a wonderful place to observe birds and animals.  
Sometimes I think its like living in my own nature reserve.  Okay, we don't have anything particularly rare to see but to have wildlife at every window is a wonderful thing to me.

 The parents built this nest in an outbuilding in the yard - one that we use very regularly.  To avoid disturbing the female as she sat on her eggs we moved everything that we needed.  The plan worked as this is her second brood.



They are an entertaining little bunch and enjoy perching on Chris' hay rake.  Today they were all sat on the top of the stable door waiting for the parent bird to bring them food.
They are a late brood.  I wonder if they will follow the hundreds, possibly thousands, that gathered on the electricity wires last week as they prepared to migrate.  I have never seen so many - it was quite a sight.























Every year a group of Greylag geese land on the field at the back of the house and stay for a few days.  This year they came in early August which is later than usual but there were more of them.

Lots of little birds come to the garden fence; meadow pipit, wren and this year, for the first time, an attractive little great tit who is too sharp and quick for me to catch on camera!


All the ground nesting birds have gone back to their usual habitats but by spring the air will be full of the call of the peewit (lapwing) and curlew and the skies an acrobatic display of oyster catcher, redshank and snipe.

Muker Show 2018

Muker Show takes place on the first Wednesday in September.
There's plenty of good country shows to visit during August and September all over the 
Yorkshire Dales but those of us who live in Upper Swaledale think our show is the best!  
Why don't you come and see for yourself next year?

 The setting is spectacular and on a sunny day (and it usually is) crowds of people sit on the grassy bank to listen to the band, enjoy the attractions and watch the fell race.

The children's fancy dress competition is guaranteed to bring a few 'ooohs and aaahs' 
from family and friends watching on.

 There's something for everybody at Muker Show; vintage tractors, sheep dog trials, wood turning demonstrations, crafts and stalls to suit all tastes and pockets.


There are classes for everyone; baking, art, fruit & veg, flower arranging, photography.  What is your speciality?  Everyone is welcome to enter.  Why not come next year and have a go?
The schedule can be found on the Muker Show website https://www.mukershow.co.uk/




However for the farming community a prize for hay or in the sheep ring bring the biggest smiles. We were ecstatic to get a second in the hay class.



At the close of the show Muker Silver Band assemble outside the Farmers Arms in the village, song sheets are handed out and everyone joins in with the community singing.  To many this is the highlight of the day.  A magical moment which is not to be missed.