It has been an eventful start to the year weather-wise with storm after storm battering the island, swiftly followed by a prolonged blast of cold from the East resulting in an extended period of frost and bitingly cold winds which in turn were superseded by a significant deposit of snow, something unusual on Islay. Temperatures have returned to normal ranges and we have had a few days that have felt almost Spring like!
Bridgend woods are carpeted with white snow drops and the daffodils are not far behind, giving hope that winter is coming to an end.
The gardeners are busy planting seeds for the vegetable patch and have an abundance of flowers to be planted out when conditions allow. The green houses look and smell amazing with tete a tete daffodils and hyacinth in abundance.
With Spring around the corner our focus on the farm is on preparation for lambing, calving and ploughing. Calving will commence in mid March and lambing starts on the 1st April. Spring is by far the busiest time of year on the farm, but new life and longer days bring renewed energy for the year ahead. Fingers crossed for good weather!
Muirburn has been carried out on the hill whilst the conditions have been favourable with multiple pockets being burnt to provide a variation in vegetation structure bringing benefits to deer, livestock, birds, insects and reptiles.
Photo by Jakob Smith
Photo by Jakob Smith
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