Dear Reader,
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We've just woken up to our 115th bird....the bubbling call of a Quail!

Quail are nomadic migrants. They’re declining rapidly across Spain, but are more common breeders in central & southern Spain. After their first brood, as temperatures rise they sometimes migrate further north, which is likely why this one has arrived here now.

The males have a very distinctive call. Often referred to as ‘Wet-my-lips’…

Wild Finca, despite having scrub also has open areas of rough grass, alongside thistle and nettle patches.

Although some see this as mess, it’s perfect for quail. They live their life on the ground, and need thick cover to protect them from predators. Whilst the nettles, rough grass and thistles provide seeds, as well as a bountiful supply of invertebrates. The ultimate Quail diet.
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The build continues to take up most of our lives but Luke has been doing a bit of guiding here and there and Wild Finca left to her own devices seems to be looking after herself. We have a Red-backed Shrike pair on the nest, the calling has stopped and only glimpses of the male has been seen, sat atop the Barn Owl box. We think we have a fourth pair of swallows. The first and original pair who live in with the dogs are on their second brood, the pair under the barn have fledged their first, the third have commandered the Wren nest beneath where we live and a fourth have just started building in the barn with the second. This is most certainly the most we have had, Luke and I wonder if it is the previous broods now returning, or new birds finding prime real estate.
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Butterflies are abundant. We had a photographer come for a tour and he took some wonderful photos which you can see over on our Instagram here.​
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We've also welcomed a number of long term supporters of Wild Finca, which has been really special to get to meet them and finally show them Wild Finca in person.
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Talking about meeting, Luke and I will be at Birdfair in a couple of weeks. Luke will be found around the Leica stand whilst Katie will be talking about her book 'No Paradise with Wolves' with the brilliant WildlifeKate on 11 July • Turnstone Tent • 1.30pm. So be sure to join if you are there! And if you have any questions for the pair to answer on the stage just hit reply and send it over, we'd love to answer it on the day.

Finally Katie had an article published in the summer issues of ABC Sussex and ABC Surrey . Her feature 'The Power of Small Nature Moments' appears on page 12 in ABC Sussex and on page 8 in ABC Surrey, we do hope you enjoy reading it.
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We hope you are having a wonderful summer, and if you get a chance make sure you look up tonight for the Strawberry Moon.
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From our wild corner to yours,
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Katie, Luke, Roan and Albus
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