Discover Billsmoor Park
Beeswing is situated in Billsmoor Country Park, which is itself a designated site of special scientific interest (SSSI) within a Northumberland National Park. Home of a deer park, it is also a dark sky area, so stars can be observed in abundance.
The Landscape
The park is enclosed by a six-foot dry-stone wall, which is itself of historical interest. An amazing structure and feat of engineering, the height of the wall prevents the deer from escaping. It was commissioned in 1810 by Admiral Orde, the previous owner of the land, and it is said that the Orde’s used funds from the success of their racehorses, including the formidable Beeswing, to pay for it. Admiral Orde was a British Royal Navy Officer. He is often incorrectly remembered for being a professional enemy of Lord Nelson. His real dispute was with the Earl of St Vincent over the favouritism he felt was being shown towards Lord Nelson.
The wall spans approximately three miles in the valley of Grasslees Burn, a tributary to the River Coquet. The diverse landscape covers around 270 acres and is filled with hay meadows, wet rushy grassland and sparse heather.
Roe deer are native to the park, however, it is Fallow deer that are seen more often roaming freely, along side hares playing in the meadows. Barn Owls can be spotted if you are lucky and often Tawny owls can be heard making their ‘kee-wick” and ‘hoot’ sound to the northernly see of Beeswing on Billsmoorfoot Country Park.
Woodland
On the lower slopes, the park has an extensive Alder woodland with some Hazel. Alder trees are increasingly uncommon in the county, but in Deer Park they grow well in the moist ground. The wood of this tough tree doesn’t rot when waterlogged. Instead, it becomes stronger and harder.
On steeper, well drained ground, Birch and Oak trees grow. The seeds and bark of the Bitch tree are a source of food for forest animals such as rabbits, deer and bids. Oak trees can grow to 70 feet high and are incredibly strong. They have curving branches and incredible root systems which means they can withstand strong storms. Deer Park is home to several large, stunning, veteran oaks, mostly around 400 years old. There are areas of the park fenced around to promote tree regeneration and newly planted oaks which are protected by individual fence enclosure.
It appears that stone was quarried many years ago along the western wall and would have been led by horse and cart.
Fallow Deer
Fallow deer are medium-sized, elegant deer, typically with a tan or fawn coat with white spotting on the flanks and a white rump patch, which is outlined with a black horseshoe shaped border. The coats fade to a grey colour during the winter. They can also be a pale black, chocolate colour or even white. They have an average lifespan of 8-16 years and are a protected species in the UK under the Deer Act of 1991. It is believed they were introduced to the UK by the Normans in the 11th Century, but they have been here so long now that they are considered naturalised.
Males have broad, palmate antlers and during breeding season which happens in Autumn, the males make a loud belly belch sound to proclaim their territory and fight over the females. This mating season is called the ‘rut’ and they may also display stylised walking and groaning and can result in physical contact as they lock antlers to fight. The fawns are born the following June and July.
Preferring deciduous or mixed woodland with large clearings, they typically live in small herds and eat grasses and herbs. They were introduced to Billsmoor Park in the 19th Century, but a terrible winter snowstorm in 1947 killed the herd. Mary Carruthers reintroduced them around 1980 and they can be seen roaming freely around the park and sometimes in front of the garden of Beeswing.
Other wildlife of interest
Red squirrels are native to the UK but they’re population is dwindling. Grey squirrels are a familiar sight to many across the UK, and are often seen in parks, gardens and wooded areas. But they were introduced to the UK from North America in the 1800s and they cannot exist long term with red squirrels. Without conservation management, red squirrels could become extinct in England within 10 years. We are lucky to have them in Billsmoor.
Male and female red squirrels look very similar, with an average body length of 22cm, a tail nearly as long and a weight of around 300g. Their coat is usually reddish but can vary from almost black to almost white depending on the age of the squirrel, genetic variations and the seasons. They use their tail for balance, warmth and as a signalling tool. They have good eyesight, a wide range of vision and cat-like whiskers which are sensitive enough to help them observe predators and judge distance and size. Mating occurs in the winter or early spring, and they live for between 3-7 years.
Barn owls nest within the park and can be seen perched on their favourite tree. They have heart-shaped faces, a buff back and wings and white underpants. The barn owl has suffered a declining population throughout the 20th Century. They eat mice, voles, shrews and some larger mammals and small birds. They weigh approximately 250-350g and have a wingspan of around 80-95cm. The owls, their nests, eggs and young are always protected throughout the UK by the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. This means it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb barn owls at an active nest site with eggs or young or before eggs are laid, or to disturb the dependent young.
Barn owls usually choose to nest in holes in trees or undisturbed outbuildings, barns or ruins. Breeding success is dependent on the availability of main prey species so there can be some variation in breeding performance, but it is not uncommon for the females to lay 4-7 eggs in intervals of 2-3 days. Incubation lasts 30-31 days and the birds fly at 50-55 days. Around 75% of young die in the first year, but survivors can live for 1-3 more years. The oldest known barn owl is more than 21 years old and there are records of some lasting 12-17 years, but this is rare.
Cuckoo birds are summer visitors to Deer Park. The female can lay up to 25 eggs, which they do so in the nests of other birds who then feed and nurture the chicks as their own. They are around the size of a dove, with blue grey upper areas including the head and chest and dark and white underparts with a bar pattern. They have a sleek body, long tail and pointed wings. They eat insects, especially hairy caterpillars and because of a decline in numbers are listed as vulnerable on the red list of threatened species.
One of the oldest songs ever written in English proclaims “Summer is a-coming in, loudly sing cuckoo!” At over 800 years old, its lyrics seem to rejoice in nature and the coming of warmer weather that the Cuckoo signifies.
The Cuckoo’s song is also the source of many myths. It is said if you hear one while out walking, as is quite likely at Deer Park from mid-April to early summer, good fortune will come your way.
The Buzzard is one of our most familiar and common birds of prey. They were, at one time, in low numbers, but have successfully returned to much of the UK, including Deer Park, where they can be seen soaring with acrobatic flight displays. They glide while holding their wings in a characteristic ‘upward-V’ position. When sitting patiently on posts or grounds, they often look to be contemplating their feet!
Most Buzzards are brown in the upper areas and marked whiter below, although this can vary quite a bit and make spotting them more difficult. Stocky, with broad wings and a short tail, it is the shape that can make them more identifiable. They have an average wingspan of 120cm and live to around 12 years. You’ll find them nesting in mature trees, building a large stick nest and their plaintive mewing call could be mistaken for a cat!
Billsmoorfoot And Beyond
There is so much to do and see in the area, from savouring delicious local dishes to exploring cultural and historical sites. With a range of attractions and activities, you won’t be short of an adventure.
Stay at Beeswing Lodge
The idyllic cottage, made for restful retreats and heart-warming holidays in heart of Northumberland