Farm Life & Wildlife
We have plenty of wildlife on and around Marsh Farm and we also have a few of our own critters too!
Wildlife
We have lots of wildlife on and around the farm including plenty of bird species. You will most likely see our resident green woodpeckers flitting back and forth, and will hear the reassuring too-wit-too-woo of the tawny owls calling to each other. We are very lucky to have a local population of barn owls too and you may see one gliding silently past the hut. In the field that our shepherd hut is situated in we have regular visits from a range of raptors so you may well see one or more circling the fields or perched on a branch or fence post close by.
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As a village devoid of street lights, Pitney is incredibly proud to have a healthy population of glow worms - do keep an eye out for these incredible insects if you're walking to or from the pub after dark, or sitting out under the stars.
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If sitting out you will probably see a flittermouse or two swooping past after insects - this is the Somerset term for a bat! Foxes, badgers, squirrels, voles, shrews, pheasants and deer also abound and if you're very lucky, you may even spot an otter on the River Parrett.
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Image of barn owl by Gary Gray from Pixabay
Livestock
As a working smallholding we have a resident population of native breed Wiltshire Horn sheep. These are unusual in that they are known as 'hair' sheep because they shed their own fleece meaning that they do not need shearing. Unfortunately this also means that whilst in the process of moulting they tend to look like a mattress that has exploded! So, if you see some rather patchy looking sheep wandering the fields, fear not.
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It also means that in the spring we usually have lambs gambolling around and generally being very cute.
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We usually bring in four piglets in the early summer to rear under our apple tree in the 'pig paddock'. Pigs are wonderful, intelligent, funny creatures who we are always happy to share a slice of the farm with.
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We also have a flock of ducks (also known as a 'paddling'- who knew?) and chickens, all of which produce delicious eggs, although as they free range over nine acres these can sometimes be hard to find...
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