Dear Reader,
​
Spring is our favourite time of the year at Wild Finca, and none more so than THIS spring! It has been a long winter, rain, mega storms and a never ending stressful house build. So the arrival of spring migrants like our Swallows, serenading us from the electricity wire, the fly-bys from the Egyptian Vultures, and now the blooming orchids across the land make it all the more amazing, and remind us how lucky we are, and why we live here!
​
Recently, I (Luke) gave a lecture to final-year Biology students at the University of Oviedo, ahead of their upcoming field trip. I spoke about what we’re doing here, how we’re doing it, and - perhaps most importantly - why. For some, including a few of our neighbours, our approach still raises eyebrows.

One student even asked: how do we cope with the lack of acceptance?

The truth is, we learned early on that not everyone would understand. The instinct for tidiness - for control, for neatness - runs deep (just the other day, a family member described what we do as “those mad rewilders”). And yet, the irony isn’t lost on us when we hear people lament the loss of birdsong or the decline in bees, without connecting it to the disappearance of wild spaces.

If we let those perspectives shape what we do, who would suffer the most? The wildlife.

There would be even fewer Glowworms, Cuckoos, and Hedgehogs. 3 species that we have repeatedly been told by neighbours, the same neighbours that do not really get what we are doing, that these species were much more prevalent a few decades ago.
​
One of the biggest joys, aside from actually being able to enjoy being on Wild Finca day to day, is being able to share Wild Finca.

As spring unfolds, I have been guiding visitors around the land. Slow walks, rich conversations, noticing the details, and truly experiencing the intricate web of life reclaiming space here.

Today’s walk brought a special moment: a Green Hairstreak butterfly, shimmering softly atop a sprig of Butcher’s Broom. Just a few days ago, Roan had pointed it out on our Butterfly poster in the living room, and asked if we had them at Wild Finca. We told him sometimes - and then, as if on cue, there it was.

With today's group we also came across a fresh Wild Boar wallow right on the path - a muddy, churned patch that wasn't there a few days ago. These wallows are amazing, a Wild Boar spa, where they roll around in the mud to rid themselves of ticks etc. and protect their skin. Their wiry hair imprinted into the wet clay. A particularly nice sight to see after a winter where the local hunters seemed very trigger happy.

​
Soon, the Nightjars will return, followed by Hobbies and Booted Eagles, and then the Honey Buzzards. The rhythm of the season continues, and before long, summer will be here.

Fancy a wander through Wild Finca? Hit reply and we’ll send you everything you need to plan a visit.
​
Other than that we've been enjoying some epic hikes and fields of orchids, which we've shared more of over on the Wild Finca Instagram, so be sure to follow us there for more of the day to day goings on at Wild Finca.

Finally, 3/4 of the Wild Finca gang spent the Easter holidays in the UK, where we visited our good friend Wildlife Kate and her brilliant project. It was a real highlight — you can read all about it over on Katie's new blog for The Wild Shift. ​
​
From our wild corner to yours,
​
Luke, Katie, Roan and Albus
​