Colin Martin of the U3A (University of The Third Age) has very kindly allowed us to post his report with photos on our web site describing his group's visit to Lauriston Farm for a tour this month.
Please read Colin's account below:
Lauriston Farm report 10-7-13
The warm sunny weather for our July visit made up for all those cold and windy outings this year. As we met up we were all full of expectation for an interesting evening, we were not disappointed.
Lauriston Farm, east of Goldhanger is managed by Spencer Christy for the benefit of Birds and Wildlife as well as using organic methods.
Our visit commenced with a very interesting talk by Spencer as he outlined the start of his involvement with the farm and the progress made so far.
We then commenced our walk with Spencer giving us a running commentary on the animals we met. We heard about the way Sheep and Cattle are rotated, around the various fields for their mutual advantage, and to provide the right habit for the birds.
Although we may be a bird watching group, we do seem to be interested in all of nature, so although we didn’t see a great variety of birds on this trip, it did not seem to matter, as there were so many other factors about the farm we were learning about.
As the ground nesting birds had departed, we were taken through a very special field. This field has not been touched or ‘improved’ for over 600 years since it was reclaimed from sea water, thus providing a habitat for nesting, and uncommon varieties of wild flowers.
We made our way onto the retaining wall of the River Blackwater to view a rare stretch of salt marsh that Spencer has special permission to allow his North Ronaldsay sheep to graze.
Standing on the bank we could see where huge numbers of duck were trapped in days gone by. Spencer explained how this procedure operated with the use of dogs specially trained to entice and then shepherd the duck in the decoy tunnel.
We were then taken even further back in time, to the Roman period. Finding ourselves standing in the middle of a field of tall grass about to be cut for hay, we were at the site classified as an ancient monument. It was where the Romans made their salt. To prove it, Spencer put his arm deep into a rabbit hole and pulled out a piece of Roman pottery!
Spencer went on to describe the salt making process to us that involved the breaking of the pots. Questioned by us he assured us that he had not planted this piece of pottery, but it is the rabbits that bring it near to the surface.
Among other developments, there is a long boardwalk for wheelchairs that enable disabled people to view some of the farm. Also an area where a raised -bed garden is being built.
We heard Reed Warblers singing and other small birds flitting about. It was encouraging to see quite a number of butterflies on the farm. Some of the group saw a Marsh Harrier, and as we made our way back to our cars a Barn Owl came into view to end a very enjoyable evening.
Spencer is able to provide these talks and walks through funding from various authorities at no direct cost to us. His passion for his farm is infectious, and we thank him for giving us a special evening.
If any U3A members would like to pay a visit to Lauriston Farm in the future please contact me and when we have a worthwhile number another visit could be arranged.
Colin Martin.