Gwion & Louise Llwyd Byrdir, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd. LL44 2EA Web. http://www.byrdir.co.uk Email. louise@byrdir.co.uk Tel. 01341 247 200 Fax. 07092 20 30 20
April Spring has sprung in our little part of North Wales. The daffodils are out as are the wild Celandine (or Llygid Ebrill’ in welsh, April’s Eyes). The Blackthorn has also flowered on the lower fields. This beautiful blossom will gradually climb up the mountain as the weather gets milder, and be joined by an explosion of yellow flower from the Gorse bushes. The Blackthorn of course differs from its cousin the Whitethorn in that the flowers come out before the leaves. And to top it all it’s sunny today. The beginning of the month was much colder however and this cold snap has meant much of our pasture hasn’t grown as much as usual. This means the cows are having to winter a little longer indoors. Consequently more feed was ordered. It was all hands on deck when 9 tonnes of hay arrived from our supplier / B&B guest from Napton On The Weir in Warwickshire. A small selection of the herd have been released into the fields however. The new born calves and their mothers to avoid any scouring and the bull as his feet were getting sore in the shed. A bull’s feet being the second most important part of his anatomy. All the sheep have given birth now, except for the yearlings. Their due date was deliberately delayed so as to ensure milder weather and to enable us to keep a close eye on them. All the mothers with twins have been moved to the fields next to the house where the grass is a little longer. The exploits of the lambs at dusk is always great fun to watch from the bedroom windows. I came across a badger on my way home from the pub the other night, but no camera unfortunately. Their set is being maintained constantly these days as the cubs arrive. Badger trails can be found all over the farm from their routine trips out to find grubs, The cuckoo is back. First heard on the 26^th of April, a little later than usual, but I guess that’s due to the cold spell again. An unfortunately no swallows as yet although our neighbouring farmer has said that his regular pair have returned as usual. We’ll wait and see.
To cancel this monthly Newsletter please send an email, subject: cancel newsletter, to unsubscribe@byrdir.co.uk