Cackling from a Sycamore was a Magpie, whilst a silent Carrion Crow fled another such perch. Wood Pigeon were herd and soon also a Pheasant, Cockerel and passing motorboat. Upon reaching South Field gate, I sent a female Blackbird from the Blackthorn. Two pools had almost disappeared from the grass path although another deep one remain “off-piste”. One Ox Eye Daisy flower persisted at the Hay Rake Quarr, and potential one basal rosette of an Orchid was seen. Berries were still held upon the non-native Cotoneaster.
I was delighted to see that contractors had remove the hay bales from our neighbours holding, meaning our moving the cattle there next week would be more effective and simpler. Today Hereford cattle were seen in our smallest Meadows 42 & 43 off Panorama Rd. A pool of water some 18 metres away from a trough in Saxon might have suggested a pipeline leak… Clumps of dry Bracken fronds were infiltrated by Bramble and Old Man’s Beard creepers.
Herren Ground had a Carrion Crow and Herring Gull (soon joined by a second one) exploring its turf. Half a dozen Wood Pigeon flew overhead travelling northwards. In Johnston the pond had a greater area of water than for some time. Still plenty of Reed and Moss growth, yet Water Lilly pads were seen just below the surface. A trio of Blackbirds had fled the waters edge. Deer slots and a significant pile of droppings indicated a frequent Roe Deer haunt. Unseen, a Wren trilled from thorny cover. At the foot of a stone stile, I was amazed at what appeared to be three tidy piles of Rabbit droppings. However, these turned out to be three clumps of Ivy berries! More flowers were seen, Winter Heliotrope at the south facing scrub margin beside the Small Copse.