OUR PLATT IN CORNWALL

Arriving on our Platt after a slow journey from the Midlands we ate our evening meal in the glow of a camp fire. We know what birds can normally be seen here and that includes the three species of Woodpecker. I glanced up in a poor light to see a Lesser Spotted feeding in a Willow Tree. It’s size and shape indicated it to be that species. In a diurnal light a Barn Owl flew towards searching as it came. Effortlessly it changed direction and flew silently down the slope, through trees and dived down into the small platt below ours. What a sight. This is the third summer we have seen this species as there is a nesting site only a field away. We were particularly pleased as we knew one had been found dead this past winter. We are blessed with trees and in one of the hedgerows a ‘stunted’ oak is growing. The new leaf growth is showing reddy before turning to a new light green and then into the darker older leaf. It is low growing and all its colours can be seen including the forming acorns. Next to it are a line of larch trees all showing new growth. Another species of tree that provides another food source. The Lesser and Greater Spotted seem to like it. Our small Platt in North Cornwall is a small reserve that is surrounded by extensively farmed land but within the vicinity there are more intensively farmed fields. There are Cornish hedgerows on all sides with a mixture of Hawthorn, Beech, Blackthorn, Sycamore and Elder. We lucky enough to have mature Oak Trees already in situ. In 1923 we found acorns at Sturts, a Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Site located in the north of the county. They were nurtured and we now have four very young oaks growing vigorously . Needless to say our boundaries are full of growth and life. The area between are a wildlife ‘mess’ and I will take care to leave areas unmolested. We have planted three thriving apple trees and around the young oaks I will strim some areas to allow light in and ensure that the newly planted are not overcome by natural growth. By doing this I will retain some areas to grow naturally but with other spots of lower growth thus providing different habitats. In two dark corners are strong growing hazels. Self seeders Hypericum and Buddleia are there together with a plethora of naturally occurring growth. We have always given attention to fungi and because some tree growth had to be removed and logged we have dead wood for new life to live on. There is a photo included with a group of ‘button’ like growth together with lichens and other interesting growths that we have recorded in previous years.

Nest boxes and bat boxes I have provided and we feed the birds when we are here. Unfortunately the grey squirrels are a menace.