hoe grange blog posts
Browse through our blog posts to find out what life is like at Hoe Grange Holidays along with some great ideas for days out in the Peak District.
Are you joining in the Big Garden Birdwatch?
January 25, 2022Archives
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Have you ever taken part in The Big Garden Birdwatch?
If not, there is still time to join in on 28th to 30th January. All you need to do is sit back and watch the birds in your garden, local park, wood or even outside your window at work, for just one hour during the weekend and record your findings. Don't forget to use #BigGardenBirdWatch if you share your bird watch on social.
How does the Big Garden Birdwatch Help?
The Big Garden Birdwatch has been running for over 40 years with over half a million people taking part and gives a snapshot of bird numbers across the UK.
The scientific data collected by RSBP can be compared year and year and highlights problem areas and species in danger. For example song thrushes were in the top ten in the 1970’s but by 2019 numbers had declined by a staggering 79%. Such evidence is vital and highlights where the priorities lie and where action is needed most.
What to feed the birds
Hopefully you are already feeding the birds in your garden, particularly when the weather is cold. If not, you will be amazed how quickly you can attract birds by putting out the right sort of food.
Unsurprisingly different birds have different feeding habits and food favourites. Blackbirds, for example, mostly feed on the ground and love a range of treats including fatty nibbles and mealworms. Tits, such as Blue Tits and Great Tits, prefer to perch on a feeder, tucking in to seeds, peanuts and suet balls. Finches, including Chaffinches and Greenfinches, will use either a feeder or a bird table, and particularly like sunflower hearts.
Simply by providing a variety of food you will attract a variety of birds.
It’s important to choose good quality bird food that doesn’t include “fillers” such as dried peas and beans that birds rarely eat. As well as bird food you can put out leftovers such as small amounts of bread, fruit cake, dried fruit, unsalted nuts, or fruit such as apples and pears. Don’t put pit mouldy or salty food and avoid dried fruits if you have a dog as raisins can be toxic to them.
Where’s the best place to put a feeder or bird table?
- Somewhere quiet where the birds won't be disturbed, but where you can still them from your window.
- In a safe area – not too close to bushes where cats could hide in wait, but close enough to cover so birds can easily dart to and fro.
- A sheltered spot out of harsh winds.
Make sure you keep the bird feeders clean to avoid mould and bacteria which can be very harmful, spreading infections among garden birds. Scrub them out in a bucket and not the kitchen sink, before drying them to refill.
Birds just love a bath!
People often forget that birds need fresh water everyday and love a bath. You can use a proper posh bird bath or a plant pot tray, or old shallow baking dish will do just as well. Don’t forget to break the ice if it freezes over.
How to take part
- Watch the birds for one hour
Choose an hour between 28th to 30th January to watch the birds in your garden - if you haven't got a garden you could visit your local park and count the birds there instead. - Count the most birds that land at once
Only count the birds that land in your garden or park, not those flying over. The same birds may land more than once. To avoid double-counting, just record the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not a running total. - Report what you see
Every count is important. Even if you don't see any birds it's important to record the fact to give a full picture. Then simply submit your results online at org.uk/birdwatch from 28th January until 18th February.
Other wildlife
Threats to habitat mean that it's not just birds facing tough times. Hedgehogs, frogs, dormice and other wildlife are also in trouble. So, to help give a more complete picture of garden wildlife, you can record what other animals you see in your garden as part of the Big Garden Birdwatch. Even if you don’t see anything you are helping to build up a fuller picture of how our garden wildlife is faring.
Big Garden Birdwatch LIVE
Tune in to Big Garden Birdwatch Live! Experts from across the UK will be sharing photos, footage and facts about the birds they see, as well as answering questions. Join in with the live quizzes, and fun activities throughout the weekend.
Bring your binoculars on holiday!
At Hoe Grange we have lots of garden birds flying around the log cabin gardens, including Goldfinches, Robins, Wrens, Great Tits, Blue Tits, House Sparrows, Starlings, Wood Pigeons and cheeky Magpies. In the summer months we have Swallows swooping in and out of the stables in the farmyard.
Sit on the decking with your binoculars and you will catch sight of other birds further up the fields, including Buzzards, Pheasants, Crows, and Little Owls that sit on the paddock fence.
Listen carefully and you can often hear a woodpecker in the small copse. Also at night as you drive up to the farm keep your eyes peeled as you will often see a Barn Owl swooping across from the wood.
Experience Peak District wildlife for yourself. Stay on holiday at Hoe Grange, breathe in the fresh air, take time out to watch the wildlife and get close up to nature!
Felicity
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Hoe Grange Holidays Tripadvisor Comments...
- joanne B
We wanted a complete break and some peace and quiet and this was perfect. The caravan was secluded with beautiful views over the countryside. Everything was spotlessly clean and well... read more 
June 4, 2019ElizabethA717 It's been three years since we last visited but once we arrived it certainly didn't feel like it!
We stayed in Hipley again which had had a refurbished wet... read more
September 21, 2019rachelthomas2015 What a lovely weekend away! We stayed in the lovely gypsy caravan, which was a wonderful and really unique experience. We took along our two horses, who also had a... read more
June 18, 2019
