The sound of cattle mooing alerted me to the problems I was about to face, the Hereford cows were scattered across 6 fields (Saxon, Taskers, Smithfield, Southfield, Paddock and Skipworth) and both the Large and Small Copse. They had no intention of returning to where they are supposed to be (Saxon). So apologies if you find cattle in the meadows, we must thank the person who left the gates open for this.
Whilst attempting to move the cows overhead a fly past of Swallows, accompanied by a few Sand Martins and some white rumped House Martins.
Having given up on the herding I instead enjoyed watching a flock of approx 25 Blackcaps as they moved about in a haw laden May Tree (Hawthorn). Their greyish bodies fairly distinctive, I always think they look like they have a long head. The majority of this flock had the black coloured cap while the rest it was more chestnut brown.
Popping up in amongst the wispy creamy-white flowers of the Old Man’s Beard was a different type of Warbler, this one with a very pale front and wide band above its eye – this one a Sedge Warbler.
Along the paths a number of finger sized caterpillars slowly crawling over the grass, these black and brown hairy beasts will emerge as Fox Moths next spring.
Also on the ground a Devil’s Coach Horse beetle spotted as I stubbed my boot on a log, the tail arcing and rising as it was disturbed.
Snails again enjoying the damper conditions with Garden Snails the most common to see, but Wall Snails and Dark-lipped also seen.
A patch of yellow by the Quarr, and the Common Toadflax is again in bloom as is a spike of Agrimony.