More on Tregathenan wildlife – a young greater spotted woodpecker was seen on the bird feeder and Ferdie, our large (!) tabby and white cat had a new experience with a toad on Saturday night.  Only used to frogs, so he couldn’t understand why this one tasted so horrid!

The weather has been a bit changeable over the last few days so we’ve occupied ourselves with shopping on the cooler days, and increased both our video library and Playstation offerings, (by popular request from our younger clientele).  On the brighter days, (and they have been scorchers in our courtyard) we’ve started to take the ‘grounds’ in hand adding to the existing collection of exotic, sub tropical plants.

Monday June 24^th, 2002

(The bit of a gap in ‘reporting’ indicates how busy we have been settling in and getting ready for our first guests)

The bird life here at Tregathenan is quite superb.  Our bird feeder was occupied by a family of blue tits (parents and fledglings) within hours of Ian installing it in the garden.  Chaffinches, sparrows and great tits also compete for the nuts and seeds, and when it is empty, they tap their beaks on the empty tray until it is refilled.

A pair of Jackdaws nestle together in our chimney pot while swallows dive acrobatically around Tregathenan.  We spotted three buzzards circling high above the house a couple of days ago, calling to each other.  We think it was Mr, Mrs and a youngster.

Wednesday June 12th, 2002
Wednesday and Thursday are going to be our 'weekend' given the responsibilities for cottage changeovers Friday to Monday. We 'discovered' a really superb walk around Loe Pool and the Penrose Estate. The Pool was formed when the Loe Bar silted up the entance to Helston Harbour (yes, it used to be a port!) and Loe Pool is now the largest freshwater lake in Cornwall.

It's administered by the National Trust who have established bird hides at the waters edge. Plenty of birds to watch as well, we saw a pair of Shags, Goldcrests, Redpolls.

Tuesday June 11th, 2002
We’re in! After what seems like months of searches, surveys and reports, we have finally started our ‘alternative’ life style. We’ve been pitched in at the deep end with bookings in the cottages throughout the summer. The other parts of the web-site give a good overview of the property but over the coming weeks we will be trying to give an idea of what is going on at Tregathenan and in the region in general.
We’ve already been told that there is family of foxes living near the old reservoir behind us, and Sue Furness the previous owner has seen badgers in the car park. We will be trying to keep track on them and getting some pictures to put into this diary.