flora and fauna

If you are staying at Carry Farm you do not have to go far to see some amazing wildlife. The view from the lodge balconies to the beach is often disturbed early in morning by deer crossing the beach heading back to the safety of the woods.  Red squirrels enjoy the abundant Hazel woods behind the farmhouse and badgers have sets on the edge of the woodland.

Looking out to sea, the gannets frequently display their diving skills just off the Carry Buoy.   Seals sunbathe on the rocks off the shore and the otters can not only be seen playing in the sea, but also occasionally visit our pond.

In deeper water, porpoises, dolphins, basking sharks and minke whales have all been spotted from our shore.  Make sure you bring your binoculars.

The beach is filled with the noise of eider ducks, oystercatchers and curlews, overhead buzzards and hen harriers search for prey.  Herons are common along the shoreline.

Species-rich grassland dominates the pastures at Carry Farm, with a rare fragment of ancient woodland bounding the land to the west. Within the woodland, old sessile oak trees, hollies, hazel, and hawthorn provide a canopy for the red squirrels to leap about their business. The open grassland areas with wildflowers provide abundant foraging opportunities for bumblebees and butterflies. Wild orchids, wild iris and cotton and tussock grass are abundant, attracting butterflies, insects and dragonflies.

If you are out at dusk, bats are an amazing sight as they appear from their roost and begin their night time activity. As darkness falls, the hooting of owls dominates the night sound scape. Enjoy reading our bird list, and please do let us know if you have spotted something not already on the list.