Upon arrival it was Greenfinch chattering first noticed. Despite a risen sun there was high cloud with dew underfoot in places. Into the hay cut meadows I considered how we may see birds of prey seeking out small mammals as their cover had been reduced. Fortunately, our downland and uncut areas retain cover for a range of wildlife.
Swallows were over the sweet-smelling hay cut south field. An insect buzz came from the hedgerow. The hay cut was high enough for some Self Heal and Red Clover flowers to have survived. The first Gatekeeper of the morning made an appearance, whilst a Buff Tailed Bumble Bee flew silently by. The large pizza sized leaf of a Burdock had about a third of its surface consumed by some insects. Woolly Thistle held fluffy seeds and some petals.
Saxon’s Hay Rake Quarr was a reliable spot for some flowers: Lady’s Bedstraw, Eye Bright, Ox Eye Daisies, Wild Thyme, Horseshoe Vetch, Field Scabious, Quaking Oat Grass and even some Dyers Green-weed. In the background Woodpigeon flight and Magpie cackles were heard. I noted a mat of old dry Rabbit droppings, a mammal that has reduced in numbers.
Ahead beside the drove two Carrion Crow perched in the canopy of scrub cover. Racing Pigeons flew in a flock, back to their loft. A Robin tutted, then a Jackdaw trio passed over Ox Eye Meadow. Dark brown flowers dangled from Stinging Nettles beside the Drove. Flying out from cover, beside Centenary Field commemorative stone, came a Blackbird… silently! Ahead of me before the shelter of the Drive opened out in Herren Ground, flew a Speckled Wood.
The Hereford Cattle seemed both content and were in the correct place (Haysom & Arable Fields). In Eight Acres a Broomrape stem was noted amongst the hay cut. Beside a Hawthorn crown, in which two Warblers sat, was a small cloud of Flies. Upon leaving the meadows and entering the tall sward of the downland, a Meadow Brown basked upon a Bramble leaf. I headed back walking towards a bright rising sun. Gentle lapping waves were heard in the distance.