Wildlife & Conservation
Wildlife & Conservation
Do you have the makings of a wildlife warden? Visit our Wildlife Corner to discover how you can help look after the environment and the many animals, birds and insects that live all around us. You can also keep up to date with what’s happening at Finkley by following our conservation diary.
Wildlife Pond – Come along to the wildlife pond and see if you have what it takes to be an amphibian detective. Learn top tips on pond dipping and how to make a pond dipping net.
Bat Boxes – Discover where the bats live high up in their Bat Boxes and find out how you could make a home for bats where you live too.
Bird Hide – Head to the Bird Hide where you can grab a pair of binoculars and see what birds you can spot. Find helpful hints on how to build a nest box for your garden.
Bug World – Try and find all the different places that bugs like to hang out. Take a closer look as there’s three to find – Bug Garden, Bug Hotel and Bug Pile.
Finkley Conservation Diary
May 2026
Farmer Steph has been helping TARCA (The Anton River Conservation Association) and TVBC (Test Valley Borough Council) line a new pond with clay at Bury Hill Meadows.
April 2026
Swallows have returned from their winter holidays.
March 2026
An abundance of Frogspawn again this year!
February 2026
Incredible Lichen on a tree branch can indicate good air quality in the area.
January 2026
The first full moon of the year, a Wolf Moon, brightens the winter sky.
December 2025
A very rare sight, a leucistic Jackdaw. Leucism is a genetic or developmental condition that causes loss of pigment in skin or feathers. 🪶
November 2025
A tiny Wren was rescued from a cobweb in the Gift Shop.
October 2025
Migration season, a flock of Canada Geese arrive nearby.
September 2025
Bees are making the most of our Giant Sunflowers. 🌻
August 2025
A Comma butterfly spotted on a buddleja bloom.
July 2025
A water leak in the farmyard provides a good water source for Swallows and House Martens.
June 2025
A large female Hedgehog was found wandering around in the day, she was taken to Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital to get checked over. She was in good health and was returned to the farm.