It’s time for the Big Farmland Bird Count

A Goldfinch perched on branches in winter - image credit: www.bfbc.org.uk

Help measure the wild bird population of UK farms during your February glamping mini-break.

It’s February, which means that once again we will take part in the GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count – doing our bit to help monitor and understand trends in the abundance of certain farmland bird species.

If you are staying at the Meadows at Polehanger between 7-23rd February, you can help too. Simply look out across the fields for 30 minutes during your stay and record any birds that you see.

We will provide a colourful printed guide to farmland birds and a record sheet to help make it easy and fun and will upload your results to the BFBC website for you at the end of your stay.

Run by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and sponsored by the National Farmers Union (NFU). Farmers and landowners use this important information to measure the impact of conservation efforts and benefits to wildlife. For further information please visit www.bfbc.org.uk

Image credit: www.bfbc.org.uk

 

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Autumn Photography Competition

Take part in our Autumn photography competition, open to anyone enjoying a walk on our footpaths, staying as a guest, attending an event or spending time outdoors at Polehanger Farm during September, October or November 2025. Will it be the resident pheasant strolling through the nearby fields, a squirrel gathering nuts or a beautiful sunset taken from the farmhouse, the cabins, the river woodland or the surrounding 7km of countryside walks across Polehanger Farmland. Simply snap your best autumn landscape or wildlife photo and submit your favourite for a chance to win!

Categories: Adults, Children 0-9 and Children 10-16.

Prizes: Adults a one-night stay at the cabins, Children 0-9 a £15 Smyths voucher and Children 10-16 a £15 John Lewis voucher.

Email your snaps to:  themeadows@polehanger.co.uk by 30 November 2025 stating your name and the age category you are entering.

To be entered for the competition you must email us at the address above. We will acknowledge receipt of your photo. Competition ends on 30 November. Winners announced on 8 December, notified by email – good luck!  Also tag us on social media #polehangerphotos