Wild Birds at Knowle Farm

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Our resident birder and junior RSPB member Leo (age 9) would like to share some information and photos he’s taken of the birds that can be seen at Knowle Farm:

There are over 60 different species of bird here, with all times of the year producing good finds. If you come here in winter, then the chances are that you’ll catch a glimpse of our redwings, which can be seen foraging on berry bushes from October to March. The most recent addition to the Knowle Farm list is the Willow Warbler. Regular species during the spring and summer months include Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, House Martins, Swallows and the well-known Kingfisher.

So far, we are not sure whether Firecrests, Grey Wagtails, Sparrowhawks or Marsh Tits are breeding here, but the former four have been elusive and only seen on a handful of occasions; and the latter only twice. Other birds with only a single record here include Hobby, Black Redstart, Pheasant and Pied Flycatcher.

Underneath the photos, the birds that have not been photographed on the farm (but have been spotted) are listed.

All of the photos below have been taken by Leo on Knowle Farm between December 2024 and now.

Also seen but not yet photographed on the farm:

  • Mute swan

  • Pheasant

  • Goosander

  • Kestrel

  • Hobby

  • Woodpigeon

  • Tawny owl

  • Little owl

  • Magpie

  • Jackdaw

  • Rook

  • Raven

  • Starling

  • Collared dove

Upcoming Harry Potter TV show and Hollywood movie filming in Devon

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The new HBO produced Harry Potter TV show has just begun filming around 25 minutes away from us in Lustleigh! The quaint village, full of picturesque thatched cottages, is apparently the location being used to represent Godric's Hollow in the new show. More information can be found via the links below:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdrzl3v3m14o

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/visited-dartmoor-village-primed-harry-10558859

Also soon to start filming in Devon is Robert Eggers’ new movie, Werwulf. Eggers, who is best known for directing unsettling and often supernatural movies such as Nosferatu and The Witch, is set to spend 11 weeks shooting on Dartmoor with the film’s stars including Willem Defoe, Lily-Rose Depp and Aaron Taylor-Johnson: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8642y4pve5o

This isn’t the first time that major productions have made use of Devon, with Steven Spielberg’s War Horse having used Dartmoor as a filming location. Our local Dartmoor Zoo was also the inspiration for We Bought A Zoo, starring Matt Damon.

Totnes Cinema

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For any film lovers coming to stay at Knowle Farm, Totnes Cinema offers a truly unique experience. Found inside a historic high street building dating back to 1880, the cinema features a full bar serving wines, beers, and cocktails along with tables and chairs, sofas and more traditional seating on the theatre-style balcony. The bar closes a few minutes before the start of the film so get there early to get your order in.

https://www.totnescinema.co.uk/