Staff and volunteers from Top Lodge have spent the last week at Burghley House, who kindly allowed us to set up in their gardens (as designed by Capability Brown). We had our marquee overlooking the ornamental lake, on which we saw ducks, swans, coots and grebes. A kingfisher waited until the sunday to show itself. Red kites and buzzards were around most days and a young sparrowhawk made its presence felt all week by loudly calling for food all day, every day!
We weren't just there to look at the birds, enjoyable though that was. We also were busily chatting to visitors about the wildlife on offer. A little grass snake swam across the lake on the Friday, watched by many people. Lots of advice was given on how best to attract and look after garden wildlife. We also helped entertain children by helping them make their own dragonflies out of pipecleaners.
Overall this was a very enjoyable week long event. Many thanks to Alwyn Pollard (Burghley House's education director) and all their staff for making us so welcome. We hope to be back there again next year.