31st January 2019

The Annual RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch

Recently, we told you that we had discovered over 50 types of birds were living on the Estate. This Sunday saw the annual RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch take place and we organised an event so we could take part. Leanne, our Events Manager, had arranged for local bird expert, Phil Espin from the Lincolnshire Bird Club, to lead a group around the Parklands close to the Hall to record our count for the national survey. Some hardened bird enthusiasts turned out on the bright but cold, windy morning. Unfortunately, conditions were not ideal for birds as they tend to shelter from the wind.

Phil drew their attention to the different bird calls and was quick to help the group recognise more unusual species. We are delighted to say that redwings, tree creepers, great spotted woodpeckers were just some of the different types of bird sighted on the day. The group also saw a number of waterfowl including teal, greylag goose, tufted ducks and mallard. Woodcocks flew out of the marshland bulrushes which startled one unlucky fellow who nearly lost a wellie in the boggy mud.

Sadly, we didn’t spot the pair of barn owls that have been circling the area near Park Cottages recently. Leah Furlong, who is volunteering with us for her Duke of Edinburgh Award, was on hand to take photographs with her dad. Leah is a keen wildlife photographer who specialises in birds. She also managed to get some lovely shots of the snowdrops by the stream near Lime tree walk. These are further on than the same time last year due to the warmer weather but should still be in abundance when we offer our snowdrop walk for Friends of South Ormsby Estate here on Saturday 9 February. You can find out more information on this event, or our other events such as the Introduction to Stargazing on Friday 8 March at 7pm and the Photography Workshop on Saturday 16 March, by calling our Events Manager, Leanne Winn, on 01507 311 446.

Back at the Hall, we are delighted with the newly upholstered Inner Entrance Hall chairs which have recently returned. Visitors can now sit in comfort whilst waiting for a meeting. Despite the fact that new fabric has been used, they do not shout out at you but they blend in with the original wall colour and curtains. We also now have the chairs back in position in the Outer Entrance Hall following the windows being removed and a big clean up taking place. There is one chair that is still in need of attention in here and that requires a repair to the wickerwork. We are on the search for someone who can carry out this type of work.

The Dining Room has also had to have a deep clean following the carpenters’ removal of the windows. What is great is that all the windows will be restored or replaced to the original designs and where possible with the original glass.

Our local joiner, Pete Millburn, also was asked to come over as we found that the table in the library is very fragile. Pete has put this on his list ready to sort out for us here in situ.

We have had quite a lot of interest regarding the Hall Steward’s Assistant job. This has been advertised in the Tennyson Chronicle as well as on Facebook. Thank you to all those who have sent their CVs in – we will be considering these in the next couple of weeks.

The Annual RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch

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