Forston Higher Farm: Dorset Barn # 2

I did another Bird Atlas survey this morning. 2011 is the last year of the current four-year survey so I have to make sure I get my winter surveys done before the end of February. This tetrad (2 kilometre square) was full of birds on my visit in December but dead this morning, only 15 species. I think they may have moved on with the cold weather.

I think this brick-built barn was built in the 19th century. Like so many barns it doesn't really serve modern day purposes very well. From the other side you can see, as well as broken windows, that you can't actually drive a vehicle in from the yard because there's an 18 inch step up.

I'm hoping someone might tell me the correct name for the chicken coop on wheels in the foreground here.

Aftr extensive research (10 minutes browsing in Waterstones bokshop) I can tell you that Sea Barn Farm (blipped last weekend) was built in c.1800 and was 'lovingly restored' in 1985. I can testify that it was re-thatched in about 2005.

Later S and I went for a walk along Abbotsbury Beach as far as the tank traps. The view inland from here is one of my favourites.