Devon Nature Reserve Blog. Wrens nests and dormouse hibernation nests at Wheatland Farm eco lodges

Sadly the dunnocks didn't make it. No clues as to what happened but one morning no nest and no birds. What a shame. Still, there are other successes. This (left) is probably a dormouse hibernation nest in a sedge at Plovers Barrow, the thatched cottage at the end of the drive that we're managing this year. And it looks like it's already been vacated - you can just see an exit hole. I didn't prod and poke though as despite todays sunshine there's bad weather on the way and the dormouse might still be having a lie-in.

Back on our own doorstep there's a downy brown robin chick flying around the barn, still being fed, a wren has built a beautiful nest in the side of a bale of hay in the old hen house (far left), and I think another wren has walled up an old swallow nest above my freezer and has moved in. It's too high for me to photograph though.

And of course the chickens are getting into full swing in unexpected places. They've taken to laying in some straw in one of Ian's trailers.

Wheatland Farm

Devon self catering cottage and eco lodges