Wildlife
Owl
Apart from all the animals which we keep at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, we are also delighted to play host to many wild creatures who like to visit us, or live here. These include mammals such as foxes, badgers, rabbits, small rodents and roe deer as well as many species of birds and minibeasts.
It is not unusual to see a visiting fox slope around the farm, on the look-out for chicken dinner! Sometimes he gets lucky too… In the snow we often spot fox tracks and sometimes the much larger tracks of badger or deer. These live in the woods at the far end of the farm. If you are very quiet, you may be lucky enough to see a roe deer popping out into the field.
Remember to keep looking all around you when you visit us… we see birds of prey here, such as red kites, peregrine falcons, kestrels, sparrowhawks and owls in the skies above the farm. You may also spot a grey heron slowing flapping overhead, looking for fish. Our bird feeders and woodland areas also attract a huge variety of smaller birds. Recently, we’ve seen blue tits, great tits, sparrows, dunnocks, chaffinches, bullfinches, greenfinches, goldfinches, robins, coal tits, wagtails and many, many others. If you spot some interesting wildlife on your visit, please let us know on our Facebook page!
Less obvious, but just as important, are our minibeasts. The ponds, pastures and woodlands here attract a huge range of bugs and insects, such as frogs, smooth newts and the very rare white clawed crayfish, found in the beck. In the summer you will see butterflies, particularly around the buddleia bushes and our wildflower meadow. All of which are vital for a diverse and sustainable ecosystem. Do tell us what you find!
Frog
