May is a fabulous month where many wild birds raise their young in and around Hemsford.  This week has seen the hatch of the swallow chicks.  Every year swallows return from their winter migration and nest in our stables.  You can tell the difference between swallows and house martins as swallows nest inside buildings and house martins nest on the outside.  Our swallows are in one nest at the moment and I have seen one little hatchling peeking out over the edge of the nest.  I am not sure if there are any others to hatch but swallows can raise as many as three broods during the summer months.  They are amazingly acrobatic and they flit with ease across the field at low level picking up insects and flies, as well as demonstrating their amazing ability by drinking whilst skimming low over our lake.  Its a lovely sight to see so many wild birds doing well. Their are now 2 pairs of geese whose babies are now around 3 weeks old and are happily growing well by our lake, and are regularly grazing the field surrounding the yurt camp.  

May 2015 so far has been a month with plenty of sunshine and also plenty of showers.  The warm weather interspersed with heavy down pours has been the perfect growing weather and everywhere around the yurt camp has been blooming and looks very green indeed.  Our recent yurt guests were treated to lovely warm sunny days and a view over the lake of Canada Geese goslings happily grazing and paddling in the sunshine.  Our lake is home to many wild birds, water fowl and flowers - the swallows have arrived back now and are regularly dipping over the lake in their skilful attempts at drinking on the wing - they are fascinating to watch with their terrific aerial skills.

May has come in with a blast of gales and torrential rain - fortunately our most recent yurt guests have been tucked up snug and cosy inside their yurts with wood burning stoves lit and plenty of places to visit locally even when the weather is not at its best.  We have planted around 30 horse chestnut saplings in the yurt camp today - hopefully they will grow well and will provide us with an ample source of conkers in the autumn.  Today the goslings have hatched - 6 little beauties on the lake this morning - due to the horribly windy weather I have not managed to capture some pictures yet - hoping for a better chance in the next few days.