Wildlife at Brackenrigg

Wildlife on Your Doorstep.

Wildlife and biodiversity is encouraged. Brackenrigg House and Brackenrigg Barn have been awarded with a Natural England sponsored Biodiversity Award. Brackenrigg Barn was a case study in Natural England’s influential ‘Natural Economy’ Report.

At Brackenrigg House and Brackenrigg barn, we positively encourage wildlife, and we do our best to provide them with the habitats they need. See our blog page for updates on our re-wilding projects.

Red Squirrels

There are several red squirrels that usually visit daily. At least two with bushy light brown tails and two with almost bronze coloured tails. There are feeders close to the house and cottages so you can watch the squirrels from your windows.

Badgers

Our badgers are particularly active in early autumn and have been known to come into the gardens regularly during this time. They have several large sets in the woods. Shy and nocturnal, you need to be out at dusk and keep very quiet to see them!

Deer

Roe and red deer are regularly seen in our woods beside Brackenrigg Barn.

Bats

There are pipistrelle and long eared bats. You may see them at twilight, and children may hear them through the summer months catching insects on the wing.

Owls

The owls, both tawny and barn, are testament to the abundance of small mammals here. You may hear both owls at night, and often if you’re back late in the evening you’ll surprise the owls into swooping across the drive-way. For 2024, we have a new owl box to encourage more nesting owls.

Birds

You may see sparrow hawks, buzzards and kestrels during the day. One guest staying in Brocklebeck helped identify over 40 different birds here, many regular visitors to the feeders.

Insects

Insect life is encouraged with flower borders for bees and butterflies and for a variety of insects, and wildflower planting in our re-wilding areas. There are damsels, and dragon flies around our large wildlife pond

Enjoy the Woodland.

The woodland is managed with a light touch allowing fallen branches to lie to encourage insects, fungi and refuge for all manner of fauna and flora. We hope you’ll enjoy the woodland. You can explore the new pathways and picnic areas. 3,000 new native trees have been planted in the field. The fell banks are full of wild flowers in spring and summer. These are strimmed just once a year to encourage wild flowers. Spring time is particularly spectacular as the banks are full of daffodils and bluebells.

Our new Wildlife Scrape (pond)

In September 2021 we dug a wildlife scrape which fills naturally with water. The scrape has a central island, with shallower, and deeper areas (no more than 60cm deep)  and we have planted shrubs and trees to provide wildlife habitats. We have seeded the whole area with wildflowers, and introduced native bog loving plants and pond species. Check out our blog for monthly updates. As this is an open water area, children must be supervised at all times.