30/05/2026
We hope you didn’t pack away that big coat and jumper too quickly last week! 🌧️
Here’s something to remind you of the good times, the herd at Ballacricket Farm out enjoying the pasture in the sunshine ☀️
You can see the beautiful Hawthorn in the foreground which plays an important role in protecting biodiversity on farm.
In spring, the fragrant, nectar rich flowers attract an abundance of pollinators.
In summer and autumn, the dense, thorny branches offer excellent, impenetrable nesting sites and vital protection from predators for small birds like yellowhammers, whitethroats, and sparrows.
In winter, the flowers develop into deep-red berries known as "haws". These are an essential energy source for overwintering resident birds (like blackbirds and thrushes) as well as winter migrants from Scandinavia, such as fieldfares, redwings, and waxwings.
Dairy farms provide an abundance of habitats for flora and fauna and protecting biodiversity is an important part of farming on the Island 🐝 🦋 🌱