|
Visiting Abbey Farm
You can visit the public bird hide at Abbey Farm, use the public
access areas (and the seasonal footpath) or join farm
walks, our open day on July 6th 2008 and workcamps. Details of these are on this page. For a map of access
areas on the farm, click here. For
directions to Abbey Farm, click here
Abbey Farm bird hide.
The bird hide at Abbey Farm opened in May 1995. It was funded
with money awarded to Abbey Farm by the Wildfowl & Wetlands
Trust in recognition of the farm's work to conserve wetlands.
The hide is open every day of the year free of charge. See
the directions page for details
of how to find it. There is a small car parking area within 50
yards of the hide. Access paths and the viewing facilities are
suitable for wheelchair users. Occasional management work is usually
carried out on Wednesdays, so this may cause disturbance to some
birds.
It is unusual for Pink-footed Geese to land near the bird hide as they prefer the open space of the arable fields. For information on seeing Pink-feet here see 'The farm's wildlife'.
For anyone wishing to support wildlife conservation at Abbey Farm,
there is a donations box near the hide. To see how money we receive is spent, click on
donations.
The section on Abbey Farm wildlife
gives information on what you can see on the farm.
Public access areas.
With the help of funding through DEFRA's Countryside Stewardship
scheme, the farm has some access facilities:
Open access
There are two areas of meadowland which are open to the public
throughout the year. About 25 acres near the village of Flitcham
is good for wildflowers and butterflies in the summer. It has
a stream and pond with a variety of fresh water wildlife, including
over ten species of damselfly and dragonfly, plus spawning frogs
and toads. Further east, there is a smaller access area near the
Anglian Water pumping station. This has a waterbourne stream (one
which only flows when the water table is very high). In recent
years, the site has usually relatively dry from July to October,
but always has at least one small pond.
Always be careful near open water children should not
use these sites without supervision.
These areas are suitable for dog walking, but always keep your
dogs under control.
The pastureland on Abbey Farm that does not have public access
is of high value for bird conservation. Please do not stray onto
these areas.
Always stick to the Countryside
Code when using access facilities on farmland.
Farm walks, open days and workcamps.
We hope you will be able to join us on one of our farm walks or open days.
Details of the next walks are shown below. Please contact us if you would like more information about these. We are not planning a workcamp for 2008, but may hold one in 2009..
Farm open day, Sunday 6th July 2008
This event combines an opportunity to walk round the farm at your own pace, join guided walks or sit around enjoying the view. From midday to 5pm a circular walk will be open that takes in hilltop views, our organic veg field, rare arable plants and a bee-keeping display. There will also be refreshments in the farmhouse garden from midday onwards. In addition to this, there will be guided walks. The provisional plans for these are:
6-8am: Early morning birds
10am-midday: The organic veg field
2-4pm: Chalk grassland flowers and butterflies
8.30-10pm: Nightlife - bats and owls
There will also be a demonstration of opening a hive by West Norfolk & King's Lynn Bee Keeping Association. Time to be confirmed.
The walks in this event are free of charge. We will be collecting donations for SOS Children's Villages. Flitcham and other nearby communities have a long association with this charity, in particular a village in India which provides a home for orphaned children.
Sorry, but dogs are not permitted on the walks due to ground-nesting birds. Abbey Farm will be signposted from the B1153 in Flitcham. Please contact us if you have any enquiries about this event.
| 
