A strong chilly wind was blowing across the Country Park as I took an early patrol out to see the Hereford Cattle. A Wren emerged at speed from the low scrub of a Bramble thicket, its short tail easily spotted as it flew, as it perched on a branch, the tail was then erect in its characteristic posture.
After the almost dry last week there is less mud around, but still some very wet muddy patches especially around the fields and gateways. As I approached on such spot a Herring Gull was paddling in the mud!
Over the downs a female Kestrel searching for breakfast. First flying along, then dropping, then hovering above a patch of tufty Tor Grass, before dropping down onto a patch of Blackthorn. At this point it disturbed the two Magpies already sitting in the scrub, the Magpies on taking off ensured the Kestrel moved to an adjacent Gorse patch.
The grazing cattle on the slopes were joined by a male Roe Deer, whose dark brown coat blended in well with the background. It was the antlers sticking above the skyline which gave away his position. Looking at the antlers they were covered in a furry velvet.
We have been out cutting lots of small regrowth of Gorse, Brambles, Madder and Privet over the last couple of weeks to keep it in check to allow our wildflowers to flourish. We still have more cutting to do and some burning to get rid of the cuttings as it has no use for us – so if you fancy some fun while helping, give us a call!
Hiding at the edge of one of our small cut piles, blending in perfectly in a range of dappled brown colours was a female Pheasant, if she hadn’t started running, I would not have seen her.
Along the coast Guillemots and Razorbills were floating on the water, a scattered mas of black and white amongst the grey churning water, white caps crashing against the cliffs.
Looking as though they were enjoying the wind a group of Fulmars soaring magnificently in and around the rock face.