Winter Warfare!

It's been a while since we posted, but after a long and busy season, we waved goodbye to our Festive Season guests and started to plan our winter mainetenance programme. One additional task that we've had to factor in over the past couple of winters is a battle against visiting goosanders!

 

Larger than our resident ducks, these birds will (if given the opportunity) fish in large teams, and whilst their usual habitat is further north on rivers they do seem to be moving further and further south during the colder months, and not turning their beaks up at the abundance of lakes here!

 

Thankfully, we are glad to report that we are winning this particular war - thanks to our team of  'scareboys' !

 

 

We've got an army of them strategically placed around all of our ponds, and they are doing a magnificent job of sending these unwelcome visitors on their merry way!

 

 

With spring (and guests) fast approaching, we'll soon be able to retire our army - until next time!

 

 

 

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Winners!

• Forda Lodges & Cottages

We had an unexpected surprise arrive in the post today - a certificate of excellence!
TripAdvisor informed us that the certificate is a testimonial to our high standards, which is reflected in our exceptional traveller ratings received over the past year. They also went on to say "With a rating of 5.0, Forda Lodges & Cottages has earned a place among the very best."

To say that we are pleased in an understatement! You can read all of our reviews by clicking the link below.

• Read reviews of Forda Lodges & Cottages

Another Unexpected Visitor!

Hot on the tail (literally!) of our recent otter visitor, some of our guests informed us that they had been watching a large pig having a good look around the grounds here at Forda!

After much teasing about quantities of cider that may have been consumed prior to this sighting, we were presented with the proof! And here it is!

It seems that this chap (who belongs to our neighbours) just fancied an evening out before taking himself safely home!

Tarka the Otter Visits Forda!

A couple of our guests last week had told us that they had seen an otter here at Forda, although we had not seen any 'evidence' around any of the ponds. The mystery was solved though, when a very tame chap joined Colin at the lake during a fishing lesson! Though he had a swim around, he wasn't showing any interest at all in hunting for fish (but quite happily took mussels from Colin) and was very relaxed around humans. It was really quite amusing to watch him follow Colin from the lake right upto the garden - just like a dog!

After taking some expert advice, it appears that our new friend has probably been hand-reared and as he was unable to fend for himself, he has now been re-homed in a local animal sanctuary.

Compare the Meerkat?

No - it's not Aleksandr Orlov (although you could be forgiven for thinking so at first glance!) but it is one of our seldom seen residents here at Forda.

This stoat was photographed at Middle Pond, and it was a real treat to see him out in the open on the path as stoats usually use hedgerows and such like as cover. He was probably taken a bit by surprise himself when Colin emerged from his camouflaged bivvy and took the snap!

And how do we know he's a stoat and not a weasel? The tip of his tail is black. Simples!

Drum roll please!

Well, here it is - the finished article!

We're very pleased with our new fishing lodge - it's certainly alot more spacious than the old one!

As well as lots of storage space for tackle, Colin our fishing coach has provided various baits available for purchase at very reasonable prices.

Tight lines everyone!

Work in Progress!

Well the builders are hard at work in the glorious Cornish sunshine!

The new fishing lodge is progressing nicely and will be finished very shortly.

It's already taking shape and we can't wait to see the finished result!